Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1883-05-16
THE SUDDEN DEATH OF SIDNEY G..
HAND,
From Heart Disease, at the Fleck House,
Last Thursday Evening.
Coroner's Inquest.

Last Thursday Evening.
Coroner's Inquest.
The many friends of S. G. Hand in
Austin and Albert Lea, and throughout
the counties of Mower and Freedom, will
read the above headlines with true sor-
row, for Mr.. Hand was quite we'll known
in the counties mentioned. He was a
very pleasant man-always genial and
companionable-and every acquaintance
was his friend. Mr.. Hand came to Aus
tin from Baltimore in about 1876, and
made this his headquarters for several
seasons. He opened large farm near
Grand Meadow and another in Freeborn
county, and for the past two or three
years has given the most of his time to
them.
He last came to Austin on Tuesday, the
9Th inst, putting up at the Fleck House
as was his custom. On Thursday night
last, about II o'clock, Mr.. Hand left the
office of the hotel to go to his room. A
moment afterwards, a heavy thud was
heard, and the occupants of the office 60
ing in the direction of the noise, found
Mr.. Hand lying upon the first landing
of the stairs leading to the second floor
of the hotel. He was lying upon his face,
and had ceased breathing. There was a
scalp wound on the side of his head which
was evidently made by the fall. AS Mr..
Hand had been drinking considerably
during the day, and his companions were
of the rougher sort. it was thought best
by his friends that a coroner's inquest
should be held, in order that it might be
demonstrated, beyond a doubt, as to the
true cause of his death. The jury, after
thoroughly investigating the case, were of
the unanimous opinion that his death
came from natural causes, and there is no
doubt about the correctness Of the verdict.
Coroner Squires says his death was un-
doubtedly caused by trouble of the
heart. Mr.. Hand was thought to be about
60 years of age. He has brother by the
name of T. F. Hand, banker and promi-
nent citizen of Oneida, N. Y, who was
telegraphed the sad news. A reply was
promptly received to send the remains to
his address at once, and they were sent on
Saturday noon.
Ajury, for the inquest, was empannelled
Friday afternoon as follows: E. G. Dorr,
Rev. E. r. Lathrep, Ira Jones, G. Whit
ton, G. W. Taylor, c. A. Poeler. We
give below the evidence as taken before
the jury and the verdict of the jury
James Bateman, being duly sworn, testified
as follows: knew deceased, S. G. Hand, now
Saw him on 10Th of May, 1855, at the FIecE
house, in the city of Austin, at different times
through the day. Deceased came. in about
came in about 10 clock: went out again and
came in about half past 10 p. M; was in
parlOr. There was gentleman here, law
yer, who was somewhat intoxicated; they
had some words and deceased said he would
not be insulted; they then shook hands and
deceased started to go up stairs. There were
several persons present at this time
ent we're: Mr.. Ford, s. G., Geo. w. Wilson
C. A. Birtch, F. F. Smith, and three other per.
! sons, bOOk-men. went up stairs to my room
and in a minute went to him; found him
| lying upon the first landing OF stairs; he did
not speak after found him. He was some
what intoxicated. He had his hat on all the
time he was in the office.
Geo. w. Wilson, being duly sworn, says: l
| saw deceased on 10th of May, 1883, at Austin,
Mimi. saw him first at about four O'Clock
in the afternoon at saloon: saw him again
about ten o'clock in the evening. Deceased
| was drinking at saloon; [ did not sec him
| drink anything, l had consultation at saloon
| him in saloon; he did not 60 out with me; he
was in saloon called Walsh's saloon. About
| 10 o'clock deceased came into the Office of the
| Fleck house; was there when he came in
| house; said he was an old punch bowl: ha6
been drinking; he became angry; Iapologizec
to him. He took his over-coat, and startet
up stairs. do not think he was sober, l hat
| been drinking myself. l did not sec hin
again until he was dying lying on first land
ing Of stairs; Mr.; Fleck was up stairs when
same time. was sitting by the stove in the
office and there heard a noise. When 1 saw
him in the saloon saw him casually; never
saw him before. He did not pull of his coat
/ apologizeo aud that settled it. live in In
diana; am a lawyer. called him punch bow
| just, suppose. because l was intoxicated
| 1t is natural for one to do SO when drunk.
Thos. Riley, being duly sworn, says: An
| chief of police in the city of Austin; saw de
ceased on 10th of May, 1883; saw him between
10 and II O. clock in the evening on Mill stree
coming out of John Walshs saloon; l saw
him go from saloon to Main street. from Mali
street down Bridge street to Chatham, AM
from Chatham to Fleok house; saw him q
oei loci in the evenine, at n. briesners U sa
loon, Mill street, playing pool with Benz. Ro
berts. He was alone on street: was talking
to himself about George Hayes, something
Hayes had done. He was Intoxicated, quite
SO. No one gave him blow on street during
his walk from saloon to Fleck house.
c: A; Birtch, being sworn, says: ! saw de
half past ten or eleven clock p. ln... on tn
10th day of May, 1858. He came into the offic
and in consultation with a gentleman the
%ss3
what he had said. Wilson did so and the
shook hands; afterwards started up stairs
think he had his hat of some of the time
| should say be was IN the office perhaps
half hour before he started up stairs. 500
after l heard thud or something tall. Tn
clerk came in and called some gentlemen t
until after deceased had fallen on stairs
went up with the rest of us after clerk came ii
Thos. Gibson, being sworn, says: l kno'
evenins. May 10th, at Washs saloon: be- ha
no words or alteration with any person q
| the saloon.
Alexander Fleck. being sworn, says: I a!
proprietor of 'Fieck house; know deceased
have known him for past four years, or there
abouts; have known him ever since he cam
here. have known him to be very drunk
did not see him last evening.
STATE OF MINNESOTA, L..
COUNTY OF MOWER, 3D.
An inQuisition taken at Austin. in sal
9tX Of Never on the 18th day of May
county of Mower, upon view of the body {
s. G. Hand, lying there dead, by the oaths c
the jurors whose names are hereuntO sui
scribed, they being sworn to inquire on b.
half of the State Of Minnesota, when, how an
by what means the said 8. G. Hand came t
died on the 10th day OF May, A. D. 1883, at til
Fleck house, in Austin city, in Mower count,
and state of Minnesota, and the said s.
Hand came to his death from natural cause
e. H. LATHROP.
IRA JONES,
E. G. DORR,
c. "A. POOLER,
e. W. TAYLOR.
G. WILTON.
FREEBORN COUNTY NEWS.
Total expenses of Freedom county fe
the year ending March 1. 1888, SIS, O61. Oh
/ AA0 nv