Idaho news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1887-1891, 1888-05-26
TIE DEATH OF GEN BEEM


SAs Cifiasns Of sitom Mach Ereited Deer a.
Mster-TLs wa Of TIE Deceased.
Alton 1ll.) dispatch: Intense inter
est has been taken by the friends and
relatives of the late General Martin
BEEN in this city in the investigation
now in progress at Chicago to clear ur
the mystery of the generals death. A
slose watch has been kept on the grave
in the Alton cemetery ever since the
funeral for fear that the body might be
removed. The father and sisters of the
dead man were not satisfied with the
verdict of the coroner's jury at Stanton,
Neb., where the tragedy occurred, and
this dissatisfaction was increased by the
conflicting stories and strange conduct
OF Mrs. BEEN during her brief stay at
their home in this city.
Gen. Martin Beem's will was offered
for probate yesterday. It's contents
gave new impetus to the suggestive
gossip concerning Mrs BEEN. The will
was commonplace enough, but MEM
orandum was attached to it which Mt
once revived interest in the matter. The
will and memorandum are as follows:
81 want this to be my last will and
testament. / wish Charles Z. SAWYER
appointed by the court without bonds,
and for him to act as my executor. I
want my wife, Lucy Laughton BEEN, to
have only what is permitted by the law
want all the rest of the estate to go to
my sisters in Alton, ILL.,, in equal parts
after the payment of all my debts. L
want Charles p. Sawyer to have all my
books and business. want to be buried
in Alton, Ill, by the side of my mother
and brothers, and especially request
that my funeral be strictly private, none
but the family relations and such family
friends as may be necessary to help bury
me. | want no parade of any kind. In
witness whereof | have hereunto set my
hand and seal this 37th day of April,
1888. MARTIN BEEN"
Evans J. McComas and J. McComas
sign as witnesses. Continuing, the docu-
ment says:
Private Memorandum want Mr..
Sawyer and Il. s. McComas to make
rigid investigation into the manner of
my death, so that If L have been moi
soned or foully dealt with, to prosecute
any parties that may be implicated. NV
troubles make me suspicious, and may
be without cause. Yet letter sent to
my Office by a boy, near the closing
paragraph, may guide you as to whom 1
have apprehension of most danger. |
have written her if she wants to be free
| would sever an artery or kill myself,
but this was only few days ago, and /
said it solely for effect. have no such
purpose. and never dreamed it. | have
others to live for, to say nothing Of
soldlerly duty to discharge. fear poi
son more than all else. If my death be
accidental then say nothing, destroy
this, but enforce the will unless re-
woke it. l mean, destroy the memoir
andum, also the private papers and let
ers to my wife, but if necessary to prove
anything, make nse of them and spare
no one.
This is my request so far as my do
mestlc affairs are concerned. My $40, 900
insurance policy, life plan, is in the hand
OF the administrator of Il. A. Boyle, at
Fort Morgan, Col. Balance due on
note in vault is the amount it is pledged
for. The 50, 900 one for the Ancient
Order of United Workmen is in the
hands of George +. Hawley to secure a
loan on the lands bought in my wife's
name. The insurance to be paid to my
sister in case the bonds pay him the
amount due. The other $4,000 policy,
endowment plan, has been assigned to
Mr.. Hinckley and my sister Annie. The
present Weems stone stock might be
sold to Mr.. w. j. Cooper, of Baltimore,
for something. haven't anything else
worth bothering about. Mr.. w. J. s.
has note for 1900, on which 81, 900
should be credited. Three hundred
dollars of it paid him in cash and
81 800 he secured by attachment in
against the w. Weaver
nail manufacturing company. All other
notes that he may have have been
merged in that one big note. NV
and Noble B. Judah
know this. Besides, the note was ante
dated 10 per cent, and she was re Ure-
sented part owner, and it ought tc be
cancelled on payment of $4,000 in
money. This is all that comes to me
now. MARrIN BEEN.
"April 81, 1888"
The letter which the general referred
10 as guiding investigation in the right
direction was not forthcoming. The
suggestion that naturally presented it.
It had been found and destroyed by some
IF Mrs. Beem's friends. The latter are
1ot greatly disturbed by the memoran-
1um attached to the will. They assert
hat it fully sustains the theory of sui
tide. The general, they claim TO be-
ieve, contemplated suicide. His pride
.eyolted at the ignominy Of such a
Heath, and he wanted to raise Just enough |
suspicion to avert positive conclusion
hat he was self-murderer "If he was
that bis wife itendad n |
POISON him, they ask, "why did he so
seek to maintain relations
nth herr"
sHUTTTvG OUT AMERTC4S PORH.