Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1881-05-19
How the Body of Hedrick was Found.


f. A. Sampson, Justice Of the Peace, who
acted as Coroner on the inquest Of the body
of J. NJ. Hedrick, gave his testimony as
follows before the examining magistrate
81 reside at Genesee. Nez Perez comfy;
know j. N. -Hedrick. have known him or
years; on the 4th day of May, 1881, l saw
him dead near the little Potlatch; am JUS
tice of the Peace in Genesee precinct. On
the 18th of May VIM. Gray came to my Office
at Gcnesee City and stated that James Ste
vens had killed J. NJ Hedrick asked him
where It happened. next took his deposit
ton in writing, and ,ssncd warrant for the
arrest of Stevens. then went to the body
of Hedrick in company with VIM. Gray and
/ Geo. Frieze, found the body about miles
East of Genesee City, about three fourths
of a nile from Little Potlatch, on the west
side; when l arrived there Eph Taylor and
VIM. Taylor were the only ones there; en-
,uired of them where ! could find men for
jury, they said they thought there would
be more there sooner than could get them.
men for jury: summoned a Jury and
swore them in aud went to examining the
body. Before touching the body ! looked
very carefully to see its position and also the
hat and things spoken of where they lay
before touching them, ! also charged the
jury to take particular notice of the position
of every thing around. first picked up a
switch l supposed to be riding switch
identifies the switch, only he thisks a lit.
tie shorter.) The body was lying on the
ba,k, the feet about feet from the trail
the head about s feet from the trail, it was
lying out straight with the head little t.
) the left side, the right arm lay close to the
body with the hand against the thigh. thu
riding whip along side of the right arm tn,
, little end next the hand and about 3 inches
, from the hand, and the big end about eigh
$ up the pipe, or think picked it up, tn
left arm lay from the body, elbow ! or
inches, the pipe lay between body and ell
bow, and supposed it to have fallen GU
l.
search his pockets. which they did, found
silver watch IN vest pocket, a jack-k il
= parts pocket, two pieces of tobacco, tw'
cartridges for a large size gun, two collar but
tons, leather purse with two dollars in sill
i yer in it. which was given to Mr.. Herr,
Fine, one hat was lying over his face, blacl
hat, they said was Hendricks. The jur,
next went to search for wounds and bruise
upon the body. They found bali hole OF
4 the left side about inches from left nip
y pie down and back and about three and a
half from the arm-pit, which was supposed
J.! to have caused his death. There were to
small skinned places on the right ham
knucklcs, first and second fingers tlrer
q We're dark spots on the back as thong
Il blood bad settled near the skin, blood ha
ran down on the outside from the ball hole
No powder mark, ball hole was through tn
). vest back of the watch pocket on the lef
:, side. AS near as we could tell the ball ha
: gone in nearly straight, made a good size
l. hole. We did not probe the wound.
u snuff colored hat with a little blood on
W lay On the sonth side of the trail or partl
. in the trail. The trail was east and wes
= the body on the north side, feet feet an
Us head feet from the trail, head up hill.
II found blood also ON an overcoat that Ora
said was left on the hil-(hat and Goa
=, identified and blood shown,) Gray wante
y" me to take the Overcoat as he did not wal
se to take it. The jury made out their repol
ID and l sent it to the clerk of the Distri'
"A Court. The distance Of the houses in sigl
of the place, must be from one and aha
ie to three miles across the POtlatch l a
ID not positive that saw houses, saw farm
70 and think | saw houses