The Philipsburg mail. [volume] (Philipsburg, Mont.) 1887-current, 1889-12-19

FOUND DEAD ABOVE TOWN.

kSDA I DECEMBEk IL, l00..
FOUND DEAD ABOVE TOWN.
The NIutilated Remains of a Man Dis
| covered-Identifietl Those of j. d.
Frazer.
William Rowe and James H. loomis
! both residing at Kirkville, were out
hunting grouse Sunday morning, and
when passing through Bradshaw's field,
between Philipsburg and Hasmark, they
| discovered something laying under tree,
and on approaching it they were horri-
tied 20 find the body of man. They
very wisely set out at once to inform the
coroner before disturbing the remains.
Mr.. Rowe came to Philipsburg and
| notified Coroner Ray of what they had
found, and he at once started for the
scene IN company with DR.. Allen, Con-
stable Simmons and a NAIL representa-
tive. Arriving at the place, guided by
Mr.. Rove, most appalling sight met
their gaze. Laying on it's left side we're
the remains of man. The flesh was
about all gone from his face and head,
but on his body instead of decaying it
had dried up and petrifcation had un-
doubtedly set in, making the body ap-
pear very much like that of mummy.
One foot had been eaten off by animals,
likewise the ears. The tongue protruded
for about three inches, which would in
dlcate that the man had died of strangu-
laticn, and DR.. Allen is of the opinion
that death occurred while the person
was III commissions, as all the muscles
showed signs that would indicate the
same.
A coroners jury was impannelled and
they made a thorough search of the
premises. A pair of boots and hat
were found about twelve feet further up
the hill from the body. About the same
distance in another direction coat, a
pair OF suspenders and jumper were
found, but nothing was discovered that
would lead TO mis- Identification. Signs
OF camp tire were also observed near
where the coat was found, and the
clothing that remained on the body was
burned in several places.
The body was conveyed to Allison &
Sherman's undertaking rooms, where the
inquest was held, and the jury returned
verdict to the effect that death had oc-
Cured from causes unknown to them.
The news of the horrible find spread
rapidly throughout the town and sur
rounding neighborhood, and inquiries
were made by everybody to ascertain if
possible who the person was.
1t was learned that man named j. D.
Frazer mysteriously disappeared last
August from Kirkville, and man named
- w. Frazier, who was we'll acquainted
with him, (but no relation) viewed the
remains and at once identified them as
those of James d. Frazer, and made
affidavit to the effect that it was Frazer,
whom, he says, had worked for the BIZ
Metallic company and boarded in the
same house that he (the witness) did.
The witness says that the deceased had
some trouble with one of the workmen
at the Bl-Metallic and gave up his
position, but returned to the boarding
house about two months afterwards, and
stated that he had been at work ia
Granite, but was obliged to lay off on
account of being sick. The witness OBJ
served that the man had fallen away con-
slderabiy and locked very feeble. He
remained at the boarding house about
two weeks, and during this time numer~
o1s remarks were made as to his sanity.
as his actions at times indicated that he
was demented,
The witness stated that on or about
August 20 he went to Frazer's room and
found him laying on his bunk, face
downward. He spoke to him and he
started up suddenly, with a wild ex-
preston in the eyes. The witness asked !
him Ii he needed medicine and the man
replied that he did not. Witness gave
him s. and told him to go down town
and get shaved, and then left him. When
the witness again returned to the house
IN the evening Frazer was gone, and he |
never saw him again until the day his !
body was found.
A few weeks after the disappearance of |
Frazer a brother of his arrived in search |
Of him, and remained in this vicinity |
about two Months, but could not find |
any clue to his whereabouts. and finally |
gave I'D his search and returned to his
home in Oregon. where he said his
brother was possessor of some property;
but their native place was in New Glas-
gov, Nova Scotia, where their father
still resides and is we'll to do. The
whole family are highly connected. They
we're telegraphed but have not been
heard from, and the body was buried in
The Philipsburg cemetery Tuesday.
The deceased was about 80 years old.
IF medium height; the hair was slightly
gray, but had formerly been a dark
color. Those who clalm to
1ave known him here say that he was
nan of very temperate habits and never
,ambled.
The most mysterious feature connected
With the affair is that there was nothing
whatever in the pockets of his clothing
'xcept collar button, one match and a
'iece of German newspaper. It is very
eldem that man of any character can
'e found who has not some papers on
lis person that would serve to identify
lim. The real cause of his death will
'-obably never be known.