The Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1885-1886, 1886-08-03
THE GRAND JURY:
1t Will Investigate Mrs. BOettger's
Death.
Verdict of the CorOner's Jury-Fur-
Their Testimony.

MIS-. anna l1uSS, Lne mOtneT OIL Tue uH-
fortunate Mrs. Della Boettger, continued
her testimony before the coroners jury
over the death of her daughter yester-
day afternoon. Deceased had told her
two weeks ago that her husband would
give her $50 to allow him to get divorce.
Mrs. Schultz had told witness that Jim
SAID to her, twice, last winter, that if
Della would not get divorce he would
throw her into the river. Della became
pregnant by Jim two or three months bes
fore marriage. Previous to that he
seemed to like her. He wanted to get
some medicine Cor her to get rid of the
child He was to get it from one Rich
ards, in Moline. Della said she was
afraid it would kill her. He told her to
jump down from wall ten feet high
She jumped, hurt her side and was un
conscious for half an hour. That was
before their marriage.
Ernest Lugenheim, of Davenport, was
the next witness He saw the woman
fall into the river, and heard her cry
''Ohl' not Help He spoke to Boett-
ger While they were talking the woman
was screaming in the water, but Boettger
did not even look into the water. Boett-
ger looked pale and cold blooded. Wits
ness then described Boettger's struggle
with the guards. Thought Boettger had
thrown the woman off the bridge. Boett-
ger was near enough to her to do it, or
TO prevent her from going over the rail-
ing. The first noise was as if two per>
sons were wrestling on the bridge, and
some one trying to throw something over
the railing. Boettger denied knowing
the woman
Mrs. Ernestine Schultz gave testimony
corroborative of that already given.
Deputy Marshal Hull testified to Boett-
gers i'll treatment of his wife last sum-
mer, when Boettger said to her: Damn
you, will get rid of you YETI
Officer Harris said that, seeing Boett.
ger in Jail on Sunday. rubbing his shirt
front near the neck, he made him take off
the shirt and found
SOME BLOOD ON IT,
which had been dampened from a cup of
water in his cell. There was some drv
blood on one sleeve There was no stain
of blood on the undershirt beneath the
blood spots.
Magistrate Bennett testified to Mrs.
Boettger's having complained to him of
her husbands ilI-treatment in May, 1885,
and her fear, in the latter part of the
year, that he would do away with her.
She also called on him late in April or
early 10 May last Her husband had de-
serted her nearly twelve months before
and she wanted to get divorce; She
said he was keeping company with pros
titutes.
Marshal Eckhart testified to receiving
Boettger on the Island and to bringing
the body of the woman from the Island.
He also corroborated previous testimony.
Boettger asked to see his wife's remains.
He took him to Mr.. Knox's. Boettger
Just looked at her aud then looked away.
THE VERDICT.
The verdict of the Jury is as follows:
We, the undersigned jurors, sworn to
lao uire into the death of Della Boettger,
| find that she came to her death by drown
ing in the Mississippi river on July 81,
| 1896, and we further find evidence tend
| ing to impicate her husband, James
Boettger, in causing her death, and rec.
ommend the coroner to hold James
Boetleer to the grand jury"
NJ. E. SWEENEY, Foreman.
FRANK ANDERSON,
JOHN S. CREswELL,
Ed. LIEBERKNECHT,
| J. n. HuNTooN.
c. E. HoDGsoN.
Coroner Halves committed Boettger to
| Jail without bail to await the action of
the next grand Jury. States Attorney
Entrikin was present during the investi'
CATION, taking notes, etc
1t is claimed that one of the most im>
portant witnesses was not present at the
inquest. Sam Stranger, an engineer on
the c., R. l. & P, is said to have been
pulling train overhead, and saw Boett>
ger throw his wife over the rail. If there
is any truth in the statement. Stranger
| will be wanted before the Grand Jury.