The semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1882-1886, 1885-11-18
WITH DELIBERATE INTENT.
Henry c. Bodley Takes His
Own Life Yesterday.


so SAY THE JURY
After Hearing the Evidence in the
Case The Causes for the
Rash Act
Yesterday the people of this city, or a
great many OF them, were surprised and
grieved at the rapid spread of the sad news
that Henry c. Bodley, a well known citizen
had been found dead in his room il ne
Matthews block, on Granite street. Like
all bad tidings, it Travelled quick, and busy
I'M with it's thousand tongues invented
allmanner Of stories, but the friends Of the
young man came loyalty to the front, and
asserted that his death was the result of
accident rather than design. By this time
it was generally known that death had
been caused by al over dose OF morphine and
his friends insisted that he had been in the
habi OF taking the drug TO allay nervous
ness and cause sleep, and that he must
have unintentionaly taken too much.
Naturally, the conflicting stories caused
much comment, and in accordance with
his duty to the living, the coroner, DIR. Whit
ford, took charge ofthe remains, and a jury
"SS 4AAHNAAASAsVA Ou61 SVluk vi UuC 1O1lO W1uS
gentlemen: John Noyes, DR.. F. E. Gleason,
D.. N: Dellinger, J.. G. Richville, j. F. Buck
and w. w. Jones.
THE STORY OF THE CASE
is in brief, az follows: Last Juno the de-
ceased was thrown from a horse and sus-
tanned a severe fracture OF the leg, from the
ELECTS OF which he has never recovered.
Inc wound caused a severe shock to
the nervous system, and in order
to quiet his nerves he acquired
the habit OF taking morphine, and has
since used it to a more or less extent, so
that when he went into the drug store Sun
day night to purchase it, the drug was
given him without any suspicion or COM
who attends to his rooms went there as
usual about 8 O'Clock to awaken him and
found him lying on the bed, his eyes
liked. and in an apparently un-
conscious condition. He at once
ave an alarm, and medical assistance
vas summoned, but it was too late. for
although science struggled for the mastery
for an hour or two, all efforts were %unavail-
ing, and the unfortunate man breathed his
last at 1915 o'clock. A search was made
by his friends, but no letter or message of
any kind was discovered to show just why
he had committed the rash act which SUBJ
~1~~ ~A " -
proved he had been guilty of.
THE INQUEST.
The causes that led up to the tragedy can
be readily obtained from the simple story
OF the witnesses who appeared before the
Coroner's jury of which the following is a
synopsis.
The first witness was H. D'Achnel who
being sworn testified that deceased ,e,li.;,
into his store about $50 O'Clock Sunday
night and asked for IL or Is powders OF
morphia, which he had been in the habit of
purchasing. The prescription was put up
as usual, when Bodley departed. Deceased
seemed in a happy frame OF mind, was talk
alive and perfectly sober and rational.
He was in the habit of getting mOrphia
powders.
CHARACTER OF THE MAN.
George Irvine was the next witness. He
testified that he had known deceased for
four or five years. He came to Montana
in 1881; wal under sheriff when witness
was sheriff; knew him to be a temperate
man, Of good habits generally. Bodley has
been i'll for about eight months; he suffered
some from dyspepsia. Witness met de-
ceased Sunday morning, and was asked by
him to put off a business engagement, that
had been made for Sunday night. until
AAOANNy AA6 ooAAS A6AS vi AAAS
months ago witness received a message
from deceased asking him to come to the
Mount Vernon Hotel. He responded, and
on reaching there deceased said that he had
taken morphine, but did not want the pub
lie to know it. He said he was very ner-
other anodyne to quiet Haf nl @1nE pPQRRilgsee OF seQS@as
considerably in debt, which was a source Of
great noyan to him. Deceased had
been gambling and lost heavily-had lost
some two hundred and odd dollars OF an
other mans money. In summing up the
character of deceased. Mr.. Irvine said That
he was OF q peculiar temperament and was
always either highly elated or greatly de-
pressed.
AT MIDNIGHT.
Alexander Harrison testified that he saw
deceased at IL o'clock Sunday night IN
M~oorehouse's gambling saloon. He had
been gambling; lost Sc. After he had quit
playinp he said good evening, and alike
away; was sober at the time.
STORY OF HIS EMPLOYER.
Colonel Estes was sworn, and testified
that deceased had been in the employ OF
the firm of Lee w. Foster & Co. about six
weeks: considered him competent, indus
trious and honest. He was the only oneih
the employ of the firm who had access 70
the safe. Upon an examination OF tne
safe found a shortage OF 5000 in gold that
had heen deposited in the safe, and a short
age vi $54S according to the cash O
There was nothing left in the sale but three
checks and a few minor coins. Heard that
he had been gambling.
lanes Parfeit was sworn, and testlned
that he had known deceased aDouC nve
months: was in partnership with him In
the Golden Rule mine; saw HIM last Satur-
day and he then appeared all right.
DEsPoNDENT.
M;ss Sadie Lee was the next witness. She
testified chat she had known deceased
about q year. He passed her house Sun
dav and spoke to her, and said that ne was
ont of luck and did not care much about
living.
TO TAKE A LONG
Miss Emma Abbey was sworn, ana testi-
fed that deceased visited her at her resi-
dence on Sunday night about 10 o'clock,
when shs noticed that he had been drink
ING. He was a friend OF hers. On Tuesday
last thew had quarreled, and Sunday night
he told her that he was going away on a
long Journey. She asked if he would write
To her and he replied no. He then said:
Emma, l never saw you full; let us get 1ull
tooether. for it is the last time l will ever
see YOU" Continuing, witness stated That
| deceased had on several occasions uesifeu
| her to return home to her mother n had
| offered to furnish her money for the pur,,
pose; also that he had told her that ne
| taken morphine at the Mount vernon no
| tel. and that he intended to kill himself
| About / O'Clock on the night OF his death
! Dodley Game to the room o. wit les ren Snd
| chat he had completed all his preparations
for a long journey. He then kissed hel
good bye and departed.
THE VERDICT.
This completed the testimony, and aftel
a few moments elaboration the jury re-
turned a verdict that deceased had come &c
| h;s death from the effects OF a dose OF NOR
| mime taken with suicidal intent.
SKETCH OF DECEA
Henry C. Bodley was about 80 years O
ace. a, native of Baltimore, Md, and ar
rived in Butte in 1881. But little o. h nj,
nrevious history is known save that to1
p wears before coming to Montana he
had been engaged in mining in Utah. H.