The Bozeman weekly chronicle., 1888-02-08
DIED NATURALLY.
Louis Deithelm was rot Frozen or
Eaten By the Hogs,
So the coroners Jury and Physician
Report.

NGpSIhs
On Wednesday morning last, among
those who were amazed at the special
telegram to the Pioneer Press from Bel
grade and republished in the CHRONICLE,
together with the name of the party
alleged to have been frozen to death and
also the name of the party by whom the
unfortunate man was employed, was J.
F. Davies, Bozeman merchant. He
had long known Deithelm and was the
one who secured him a place at Mr..
Wright's ten months ago. DeitEelm had
also been member of the local lodge of
Knights of Labor, of which lodge Mr.
Davies is an active member.
Mr.. Davies at once sought the public
administrator, and together they repaired
to Mr.. Wrights ranch, twenty miles
from Bozeman. Here they made an ex-
animation Of the premises and inter-
viewed several neighbors, who with one
accord detailed most horrible and re-
voting stories connected with Deithelm's
death. One said that the room occupied
by the sick man was so cold that visitors
had to wear buffalo oyercoats, and others
said that Wright, while the man was
sick, was away for three days in success
sion, and that the helpless man was
Obliged to seek what nourishment he
could on the sole diet of buttermlk and
beans. Many other stories of similar
nature were told Mr.. Davies by the
neighbors, not one of whom seemed
willing to say word in favor of Farmer
Wright.
Mr.. Davies returned to Bozeman and
interested Coroner Didawlck in the case.
The coroner summoned jury, and with
DR.. Whitef0ot. on Saturday morning, left
for the Wright ranch. Arriving there,
the body was dug from the ground and
examined by the physician, who testi-
fled that he could detect nothing that
would indicate that the dead man had
frozen to death or that any part of his
body had been frozen.
Several witnesses were then examined
and the jury at once brought in yer.
dict to the effect that Deithelm had
come to his death through natural
causes. The following is the list of jury
men: E. P. WILDER, foreman, James
Fisher, G. W. Anderson, Jr., Ed. l.. Frid.
ley, J. H. Croft, Lars Anderson.
Herewith we give portion of testi-
mony.
The first witness was DR.. Whitefoot,
who testified as follows: II found no
evidence tending to show that he had
been bitten by hogs or any other ami
NAL. In my opinion his body was as
natural as could be expected after the
lapse of time since death. I think he
died from disease. There was nothing
unnatural in appearance of body, or to
excite suspicion"
F. B. Lee, being duly sworn, testified
"The first time l eaw Louis Deithelm
was about twenty days before his death.
About the 9th of January told Wright
he ought to send for a doctor. Wright
said that the deceasef told him that he
wanted no doctor. He could not, in my
opinion, have been conscious after the
third day of his sickness. would not
have been comfortable in the room
where deceased was with ordinary cloth
ing. Heard him express nothing about
improper treatment. Sometimes Wright
would halloo up to him and ask him how
he felt, and sometimes 90 TO see HIM
The deceased had plenty of blankets.
Deceased was entirely helpless on the
Wednesday previous to his death. Saw
him eat fruit and drink coffee. He did
not like Wright and wanted me to get
him another job, better than the one he
had said that he was getting $3.50 per
year, also stated that he had received a
little over $500. Saw him have papers
for land he had bought. He could read
and write in German thought lie was
very shrewd man. He was given few
doses Of patent medicines. He was TAX
en- with pain over each eye, which lasted
three days; then it got down into his
face and jaws, 80 he could not raise his
head. He had no doctor. Upon the
night of his death Mr.. Green and Mr..
Green's brother.in-law were with him.
Mrs. Wright was not there during his
sickness. Mr.. Wright did not neglect
his business to attend to him. The de-
ceased was sick eighteen days, and he
was up not over three days of that time.
On Thursday after Christmas he gave
up. When there was a FIRE below, the
room was comfortable. Don't think
well man would have survived the treat
ment he received, with the food he par
took. could not say he died ofneglect.
He never complained of cold; don't
think he was in his right mind for two
weeks before death. Told Mr.. Wright
he ought to send for physician, wheth-
er Louis wanted one or not. There were
only few persons to see him. My re-
lations with Wright are friendly; have
no bias toward him. Wright has no
neighbors. If he were to die it would
be some time before it would be found
out"
J. II. Green, being duly sworn, testi'
fed: "That he he was not acquainted
with deceased. The first time saw him
was about six hours prior to his death.
Mr.. Lee asked US to go and take care of
him. l was in the room frequently with
him; he wss given some coffee l could |
not understand anything that he tried