The Brookhaven leader., 1883-11-15
FOuad Dead.


FOuad Dead.
On the morning of Oct. 25th a tramp
entered Boguechitto and reported to May
or Curtis that he had just discovered a
dead man lying under q beach tree near
| the railroad track abont II miles north of
town. A jury of inquest was accordingly
summoned, and on repairing to the place
they found dead man about As or so
years of age lying on some straw near a
smouldering fire which he is supposed to
have kindled the night previous, the tramp
who discovered him stating that he was
first attracted to the spot by the smoke. A
| careful examination of the body was had,
and the jury unanimously decided that de-
ceased came to his death from general de-
bility-perhaps consumption, as he was
greatly emaciated. There was nothing on
his person by which he could be posi-
lively identified. The two fol-
lowing letters, which we give rerbdtim ct
iieratim ct puRctaatim, were foul upon
his person together with two entirely de-
faced photographs and a few other unin-
telligible scraps of paper. Through the
courtesy of Mayor Curtis we publish them
i'll the hope that they may lead to the dis
cOvery of his real naice and character:
TY, MISSOURI.
Hawley HEREFORD, Sheriff.
PRINCETON, May 25th, 1888.
Mr. butcher dear friend seat my self to
ANGER you're nots after SO long time did
want to waite till you boys was about redy
to get out but if tell you for god sake
never tell that told you word heard
them say that they would fowler him be
what thay would kill him if it was not tor
yon and hard than say if you did not get
out before long they would do it eney how
if was you wonld stay till tomey got out
to but for god sake never tell a word that
tell you for they would kill me belive
am fraid tOmey will never get home if
you doant go along to healp him for hear
lots well close for this time from misla
hole to mr. j W butcher.
w. Butcher
j. P H.
OFFICE OF SHERIFF OF MERCER CouN-
TY, MISSOURI.
Hawley HEREFORD, Sheriff.
PRINCETON, August Goth, 1888.
your homer scar Judge and jury would
like to ask you a faver if yOu will grant it
and it is to spake to the witnes belong to
my case for AIN 4 stranger amongst them
and ave no friend or parents hear and l
would like them sware the truth between
god and man according to the law.
for the teStymOne gave last march was
acrate wone and they wanted to bring me
Unseen and thay ar gOine 10 try it this tarm
if pOsbel
ali want is rite and just according to the
law and that is not what ave ad yet or
would not ave been in presen over month
weth trel of eny cind dOant think septem
Der the 1888 Mr.. Recdd as now got tree
names is Doctor scOot and Doctor May and
Doctor briscO and Mr. HEREFORD seas he will
bet every last thing as he as got as am
obliged to go to the Unseen salum and
nothing can save ME for thay ave it all
feed for him
Mr. Heiford told this on the day of Sep
TENDER 1883 to wOne named
John w. Butcher
1t NAV he we'll to state that the above
letters were written upon printed letter
heads of the sheriff of Mercer county Mo-,
named therein. A grave was dug and the
man buried under the tree where found.
IL was the opinion of some of the jnrymen
that he was in some way connected with
the James gang. 1t strikes us he was an
insane man.
On last Saturday morning. about 200
yards north of where the aDOve inquest
was held, Mayor Curtis had to hold anOth-
er. This time, the subject was a young
man who was recognized by several as
having been in Boguechitto the night pre-
vious. When discovered, he was lying
face onward, with his head (Which was
badly cashed on both sides) near one of
the iron rails and it was decided by the
iury, after consultation that he had gone
to sleep on the track and came to his death
by being struck by the car wheels. hole
was found in his head near the right eye
which extended to the brain, and DR.. A. 4.
Thompson, who was summoned to make a
surgical examination, also stated hat the
skull had been fractured on one side. The
gashes about the head looked strongly like
they had been made with u Ratchet or ak,
but it was thought they could have been
made by the car wheels.
Nothing could be found on person of de
ceased by which he could be identified. He
was very well, though plainly dressed, and
looked like one who ought to have had
some money about his person. Those who
had seen him in BOguechittO the night be-
fore stated that he announced that he was
lately from Texas, where he had been ell
gagged In the stock business; that he had
relatives near Summit and also in Brook
haven, and that he was on his way to this
place to visit his kinspeople and to lookout
a place to pen some mustangs which a
partner was soon to bring from Texas. He
was perfectly sober when last seen in
Boguechitto.
Deceased has since been identified as
Willie Deer, OF Amite county, but lately
of Texas. He was here about 2 weeks ago
and was a nephew of Mrs. S. F. Magee. MT
Magee says at that time he had with him
500 in money and be and others believe he
was murdered by some one and placed on
the track to conceal the act. If so, there
is no clue SO far as to who did the deed.
LATER-Sincs the above was put in type
we learn that the remains of the young
man were carried TO Summit by his broth
er-in-lsw. Mt. John Carruth, and on being