Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1883-01-03

these would have proved fata. IS Oh cours
matter of speculation. The cut on Tn
collar was as clean as though executes
with razor.
SPREAD OF THE NEWS.
The rapidity with which bad or i'll lew
is circulated is proverbial, and but shI u
time elapsed ere the intelligence of tht
dastardly crime was the talk of the town.
Mr.. S. L. Pierce, father of the murdered
young man, called at the city hall, and
his worst fears we're realized as he fully
identified the clothing. A GLOBE repre-
sentative called at the residence of the
family, No. 17S College avenue,
during the forenoon, and the grief and
sorrow Of the family was agonizing. Over
the agony of this desoIated home it is not
meet that the curious gaze should wander,
and the scene may be yelled with sacred
reverence.
The deceased had been a loving and
dutiful son and an affectionate brother,
the younger members of the family circle
looking upon their tall, manly and honest
brother as the very paragon of young men.
What eye shall be so bold then to venture
impertiRent gaze on the household which
had been so happy in the completed circle
of New Years day, and from which now
alas. the light and sunshine had been so
cruelty dashed out by the
rude hand of the midnight assasin!
sCENE OF THE TERRIFIC COMBAT.
Shortly after the news of the murder had
been reported at City hall, the GLOBE re-
porter visited the location of the tragedy.
A more appropriate place for a deed of
hellishness and midnight deviltry could not
be imagined. The place is deserted and
lonely enough in the day time,b but at night,
with the exception of ar occasional pass
ing train; it is as dark and lonely as dan
geon. The location where the clothing is
found bore the evidences of a hard strug-
gle; the snow was trampled down and
fiecked with the crimson stain of blood.
Around were scattered several scraps of
paper, covered with blood, and from put
ting segments together the date line of
January the 1st was made out. The GLOBE
man collected the pieces and turned them
over to Coroner Davenport.
Directly under the net. work of tracks at
this point, fronting the elevator, runs the
st. Peter street sewer, which empties here
into the river. The opening is several
feet in diameter, the river at that point
not being frozen for number of yards
out, although the water is quite shallow
THE wATERY GRAVE.
Within half dozen feet of the mouth
of the sewer the struggle must have taken
place, Judging from the packed nature of
the snow and the general disorder of the
surroundings. The assassips had selected
well for their horrible work; around was
almost desolation, while yonder, beneath
the ice, ran the swift and strong current of
the dark river. Whatever may have been
the preceding struggle, the, assailants,
had no doubt selected this spot to
finish and cover up their dread work.
THE FATAL JOURNEY.
As always happens where deed of this
nature is enshrouded in mystery, the num-
Der of theories concerning the manner in
which young Pierce met his fate
were quite numerous. Occasion will be
taken further on to state some of these
theories and the causes on which they are
predicted, but before doing this, for the
sake of sequence, it will be necessary at
this point, to call the readers attention to
a journey made by the deceased to Mime
apolis, the upshot of which led to the
tragedy.
On New Years afternoon Mr.. Pierce.
after partaking of his New Years dinner
with the family, informed them that he
expected to collect about $40 during the
afternoon, and that he intended visiting
Minneapolis to inquire about a situation
that had been offered him at Duluth.
Right here it may be stated that up to a
few days ago he had been employed with
the Linseed Oil company, where he had
been a trusted and efficient employe.
he left the company short time since.
with the view of accepting Que of two DO
sltlons where larger salaries had been
offered, and it was to see about this that
he made the trip to Minneapolis. Yery
recently he had speculated in venison.
from which he realized quite profit. and
1t was the proceeds of a transaction that
ne expected to get before leaving the CITY.
On leaving the house he asked his mother
II she would accompany him to the theater
last night, Tuesday, re1narking that he
would secure seats for the performance.
1t may be said, en- passant, that in one of
his pockets was found complimentary
letter concerning his ability and character
from one of the managers of the oil COM
pany, Mr.. Higgins. On coming down
town he called at his fathers Office on
"abashaw street, where he conyer,ed