The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1882-09-07

Joseph n. Flescher's Body Found.
On Monday it was learned in this city
that body had been found down the Co.
lumbia. supposed to be that Of Mr.. Joseph
Nj. Fletcher. The first news was anil OF.
tract from the East Portland paper.
The East Portland indicator says: Wed.
uesday AFTERNOON last . body was found on
the bank Of the Columbia, near the mouth
Of the Lewis, which is supposed to be that
Of Joseph NJ. Fletcher. the missing stttor-
nsy. who has not been seen at his home in
in Vancouver for more than three months.
David Richardson. . boy, found the body in
some drift-wood where it had been left BY
the falling wstsr. 1t was very much de.
composed aud had evidently besn exposed
for some time. Capt. Bratton. justice Of
the peace for Lewis river precinct, where
the body was found, in the absence Of cor.
oner, summoned jury Of four asd held an
inquest, the verdict Of which 10 given below.
The body was dressed in blue beaver coat
and vest, and heavy black pantaloons of
weolen cloth. A pair Of box.toed shoes were
ON the feet. aad pair Of patent suspsnders,
like the pair persons remembered having seen
Fletcher wear were on the body. The re-.
mains were buried on the hank near where
found. Following il the verdict:
We. the jury summoned to Investigate
the cause Of the death Of the man whose
body 10 now before u, do cay that according
to the evidence We have heard, believe il to
he the body Of Joseph NJ. Fletcher, and that
he came to his death BY drowning in the Co.
lu,nbia river. and his presence in the water
was BY some cause to 40 unknown.
(Siynsdl ED. MARVIN. Foreman,
HENRY HAROLD,
PETER ROMEO.
ASA RICHARDSON.
Mr.. VIM. Bratton, J. p, who held the in.
quest. sends the following: "vsrdict Of the
coronsr's jury. and description Of body
found in the wash Of the Columbia river.
about mile bslov Asa Richardson's place.
opposite Sc. Hslen's in Cowlitx county, ON
the 3Oth Of August, 1882. about 8 o'clock III
the morning. by David and Daniel Richard.
son. brothers. who immediately informed
their father; be finding the local Justics Of
the Peace ahsent. called upon the under.
signed. the nearest J. p. inmsdiatsly pro.
ssedsd to where the body was found, and
summoned jury. consisting Of Asa Richard.
son. Edgar M~rap, Peter Romeo, and Henry
Hsrold. il being insonvenisnt to obtain
more jurors. these four were sworn, with
the witnesses. and proceeded to - sxamn.
alton Of the holly. Il was found in de.
COMPOSED state. was that Of person about
six feet in height. all tbs upper teeth in
good condition. regular and we'll formed
head. hair gone except little heard, dark
in color. aud u inches long; remnants OF .
gosd beaver cloth coat. knit undsrshirt,
some little Of white shirt. black neck lite,
collar fastened with pearl button. woolsn
pants with very tine white and dark plaid,
common box.tos buckle shoes. The verdict
Of the jury 10 that deceased Was unknown.
aud came to his death from some unknow q
cause. and appeared t" have been some time
in the water. The body was wound in .
sheet. put in cotfin and hurried by Asa
Richardson and son."
VIZ. BRArToS. SR,
Justice Of the Peace.
On Tuesday the Masonic fraternity sent
M. W. Vaughn and William Wilson TO the
locality where the body Wa buried, to make
. Thorough examination. They sxhumed
the rs,aAins, aud we're satistisd at once that
they were those Of Mr.. Fletcher. Going to
st. Hslsas Mr.. Vaughn had boz made.
asd they wsrs yesterday brought up to this
city, and ~ inquest Of idssti6satioa was
held. u which IL was dstsrninsd. beyond .
doubt that the rsnains wers ehoss Of Mr..
Fletcher.
The following i Tie verdict:
We. the undsrsigssd. having been EN-.
Psnnslsd - sosunsr's jary and having
heard the tsstimoay pr0anesd. find the body
suhmittsd 70 - = b thai VI JssspA n.
Fletcher. aud that 10 sasss 70 BIZ death by
drowuins in the Columbia river.
Witness cur hands THE 9th day Of Sep
tss'bsr. @. w. DUkCIN,
H. D. HUNT.
H. H. GRIDLEY,
T. w. PADDEN,
CHAS. BROWN,
WA. r. EEK,