Helena weekly herald., 1888-10-04
From the Daily AeeAld of September q.
HANGED HIMSELF.
An Early Morning Tragedy in the Capital
is the Suicide of Harry Tretho-
wan, a Miner of the
Empire.
He Gets Out of Bed at 6 O'clock,
Ties a Trunk Strap Around
His Neck, and Hangs
Himself From
BaIustrade.

uttlo UIlCA COeIoSO oAlcAne OoCA lAoA sA0
street two doors west of Rodney street,
was the scene of a tragedy early this morn
ing. The place is the home of Mrs. Sarah
Bennett, with whom live her two sons one
of whom is the well known job wagon
driver, Seth Bawden. The house is story
and half cottage, with the rear opening
on Wood street. The sleeping apartments
are on the second floor, which is reached
by short stairway leading up from the
middle of the house. The stairs open at
the top into a good sized bedroom, fur
nished with two beds, in one
of which Mr.. Bawden takes his
nights rest. At the top the stairway
is guarded on one side by wall and on
the other by a small balustrade. Besides
the beds, few trunks and some clothing
there is little other furniture in the room.
In this room, which faces East, Mr..
Bawden and friend of his, one Harry
Trethowan, retired at bed time last night,
Mr.. Bawden occupying the bed near the
window and his friend the other one,
which stood near the top of the stairway.
At half past five this morning Bawden
arose to 60 out to feed his horses and pre-
pare for the days work. He was accom-
panied by his younger half brother. As
they went out they left TrethOwan, ap-
parently slumberipg naturally in his bed.
An hour later, about half past six, Mrs.
Bennett, who slept in an adjoining room,
started to 60 down stairs to prepare break
fast. As she gained the staircase she was
surprised to see the body Of TrethOwan,
attired only in red flannel underwear,
HANGING FROM THE BALUSTRADE
She thought first that he was clinging
to the railing with his hands, but, noticing
a strap around his neck, the horrid truth
flashed upon her and she flew down stairs
to alarm her sons. Mr.. Bawden was just
greasing his wagon near the rear gate and,
on being called by his mother, hastened
into the house. He took in the situation
at glance, lOosened the strap and bore the
body up stairs into the bedroom, where he
laid it on the floor. Bawden thinks the
man breathed after the strap was loosened
but is not certain. at all events he was
dead when he laid him on the floor. The
officers were notified at once and
Coroner Morris was summoned. Officer
Bashaw responded and took charge of the
remains pending the arrival of the coroner.
At 8 o'clock HERALD reporter visited
the scene of the tragedy, and
SAW THE BODY.
1t was that of a man about 80 years of
age, five feet, six inches in height and ap-
apparently had been in healthy condition.
The hair was a dark brown, but the
study beard and full moustache had red
dish tinge. The body lay upon the floor
of the bedroom, with the feet bare, and
attired only in red flannel undershirt and
drawers. The trunk strap, with
which the fatal moose had been made,
lay on trunk beside it. The
unfortunate had evidently jumped out of
bed hastily without waiting to put on his
clothes and flung himself into eternity in
the mapner described.
1t is supposed his neck was broken at
once. The features were not discolOred
and the only marks of violence about the
body was small stream of blood flowing
from the corner of his mouth.
WHO HE WAS.
Interviewed by the HERALD man, Seth
Bawden said: 81 have known Harry
Trethowan over a year. He was Cor
by birth and miner. He work.
ed first at the Gregory and afterwards at
the Empire, where he had been for over a
year prior to his death. He was a sober,
industrious man of about 81 or 80 years
Of age and has wife and family in Corn
wall, England. He always stopped with |
me when he came to town. About two |
weeks ago he came in from Empire and |
of being sick. He went out to
Alhambra Springs for day or two, but re-
urned last Tuesday and has been with me
,ver since. There was nothing unusual in
lis demeanor yesterday, and for all I
Know be slept well during the night. His
,ed is not tossed up, showing that he was
lot restless. 1 can't imagine what drove
lin to suicide"
THE INQUEST.
At 10 o'clock Coroner Morris empanelled
Jury and proceeded to the house, where
he inquest was held. After viewing the
,ody and acquainting themselves with all
he circumstances surrounding the death,
he jury rendered the following verdict:
At an inquisition holden at Helena. in
he county of Lewis and Clarke, Territory
f Montana, on this 2Sth day of Septem-
oroner of said county, upon the body of
henry Trethowan. there lying dead, by
he Jurors whose names are hereunto SUBJ
cribed; said jurors upon their oaths do say
hat said Henry Trethowan came to his
cath by premeditated suicide by hang
1g.
(Signed) IG. MILLER,
ANTOINE KUNTZ,
JAS. T. ALLEN,
JNO. KIRSCHNER,
E. c. SULLIVAN,
FRANK ADKINS,
QUEER WILL.
In examining the effects of the dece ased
be Jury Opened q small Valise. In it was