Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1881-08-13
THE DEATH OF ". W. WHITE.
ODESSA, Mo-. August 10

ODESSA. Mo-, August 10, 1881.
EDITOR INTELL1GENcER: flowing to
numerous false anu conflicting reports
In circulation concerning the sudden
and mysterious death OF q stranger
which occurred here on last Saturday,
the writer takes occasion to give a cor
rect account OF the event, that justice
may be awarded to those to whom it is
due. Marshal Walton finding a man
as he supposed lying in a drunken
stupor. near the railroad track moi far
from the depot. about 10 o'clock last
Friday night, and being impressed with
a faithful discharge of his official duty,
as well as that OF safety and protection
for the unfortunate being, proceeded
to take charge OF the aforesaid, and with
some assistance it was with difficulty
that he succeeded in moving him to the
calaboose. He then notified Mayor
Rawlins, who proceeded to try the case,
finding as he supposed the party In.
lawfully drunk, and assessed the fine,
and in default thereof and no security
the prisoner was left in the lock up. the
marshal supposing him to be a comrade
OF four or five others whom he had ar
rested on the same day tor the same
offense. Early on Saturday morning
finding the man in no better condition
than when he had left him, Mr.. Walton
summoned medical aid who promptly
examined the sufferer, and notwith-
standing the false and malicious state.
ments that the marshal had struck the
wretched man three sever blows on the
head with his billet, no marks Of y,o-
lence could be found anywhere on his
person; moreover, in justice let it be
said hat the originator and perpetrator
OF this infamous ialsehood, could not be-
found to give testimony before the coro.
ner's jury. In spite Of the best efforts OF
the physicians. the man gradually grew
worse and died about 4 O'Clock in the
afternoon, and as considerable excite.
ment and conflicting rumors prevailed,
justice Anderson, at the request of
Mayor RtWlins, at once summoned q
jury and proceeded to hold a ooroner's in.
quest over the dead body. The Jury
alter hearing the evidence, decided that
the man died from some unknown cause.
The statement that confinement in the
c%alaboose was the immediate cause of
the mans death. Is simply devoid Of a
single ray OF truth. 1t has been found
by investigation made by reliable citi.
zens. the apartment Ia one Of the most
comfortable and best ventilated rooms
in the town. And moreover this state
ment has been verified by Investigations
made OF the temperature with Their.
momeIers. From a pocket book con.
tanning certain documents it was found
that The name OF the party was w. w.
White, and that probably he was making
his way from bonanza City. Col, to
New Frankfort, Saline county. Marshal
Walton could not rest till a post-mortem
examination was held, which was done
on Monday afternoon, revealing concus.
sion at the base OF the brain. and q,
what time and in what manner this in
jury was inflicted is unknown, bpt as the
evidence showed before the corqner's
jury. it was as unreasonable as untrue
to say that any action OF the city mar.
shall could have caused the death of w
! w. White. W. j. Mod.