, 1889-03-21
MURDERED
And the Body Thrown Into the
River.
John Kramer, a Shoemaker, the
Victim.
Investigation by tho Coroner's Jury-The
Testimony Of witnessss-Con
To-day.


Patrick Connolly, A. Robinson and X. o.
Martin were walking along the river at
the foot Of Stevens street, when Martin
noticed what appeared 20 be the corpse of
a man lying at the bottom Of the river
about twelve feet from the shore. Martin
directed the attention of the other two
men to the spot and closer inspection
revealed a dead body lying in about four
feet of water. The matter was at once
reported to the authorities and Officers
Wilson and Gillespie proceeded to the
spot aud took the body from the water and
had 1t taken 10 the undertaking rooms of
Bicksler & Webster. An empty purse and
pipe we're found in the pockets OF the
dead mans clothing.
DETAILS OF THE MURDER.
The body proved to be that of John
Kramer, an old shoemaker, who is well
known around town, having resided here
for the past six years. The corpse had
evidently been in the water only a short
time. There were three cuts on the left
side of the forehead, one i'm immediately
above the other. and about three-fourths
of an inch apart. Each Of the cuts had
penetrated to the skull which was fractur-
ed in two places. The wounds were evi.
IDENTIFY inflicted with an instrument such
Oh is used ia cutting ice, and one blow
from an ice.cutter would have inflicted the
three cuts. On the right side Of the fore
head were contusi0ns, indicating that the
head had come in contact with the rocks
while the body was being dragged down
| the embankment to the river. A place was
noticeable on the bank where the body
had evidently been dragged down. The
corpse was found about twenty feet from
where it had evidently 6rst reached the
waters edge. The hat OF deceased was
found in the edge OF the water, while his
spectacles we're found among the rocks
about half way up the bank.
| THE INQUEST.
Coroner Mclean sum moned jury and
the inquest began at S P. M: at Bicksler
4 Webster's Office. The FIRST witness
sworn was W. o. Martin. the young man
who first discovered the body. Martin
testified: am engaged in chopping wood
out on tho Medical Lake road. This after
noon | took walk along the river. At
the foot Of Stevens street | saw something
in the water that looked like the body of
q man. called to two men who were
near. and on looking closer we could
plainly see the corpse.
Patrick Connolly testified: This after
noon took walk in company with Mr..
Robinson. When near the river at the
| IOOJ OI pttVtuS 6JTtct, tuC WltuCoo uuuAe etu
called to us, Don't that look like the
body Of man in the water theref We
came up town and reported the matter.
The body was about twelve feet from the
shore. The man who called our attention
to the body is a stranger to me.
Alfred Robinson sworn: Was walking
near the river bank with Mr.. Connolly
when the witness Martin called our at
tention to the body in the river.
Lena Gunderson sworn. Live at 1S
Stevens street; heard somebody hallo-
ing betW 7 and o'clock Monday even
ing; haloed two or three times; could
not tell what was said; paid no attention
at first, but hearing the cries again,
raised the window and looked out. but
could see nothing in the darkness; sup
posed it was somebody crossing the loss
toward the island
Ruby Carr sworn: Live at 18 Stevens
street; last night about o'clock i heard
a noise or cries; sounded like cat;
sounded like it was across the other side
of the river; this afternoon saw some men
on the river bauk, and went out and saw
the body in the water; never saw de-
ceased before.
Policeman Robert Wilson sworn: This
afternoon about o'clock man came to
me and said there was man in the river;
went down with Officer Gillespie and took
the body out; | knew deceased we'll he
was a peaceable man until he got married,
utter which he was quarrelsome and drank
a great deal.
A. Hemenway sworn: Have known de.
ceased about five years; has worked for
me a. shoemaker several times; dis
charged hi two weeks ago for drunken.
ness; saw him last on Friday, when he
came into my shop; ] accused him of hav.
ing stolen some things from me and tol6
him would have no more to do with hin
until he brought them back; he Admitted
having taken the things, but said he was
drunk and did not know what he was DO
ing; told him wanted nothing more tC
do with him, and he went away.
Police Captain Martin sworn: | saw de
ceased about $50 o'clock last night; h,
seemed to be perfectly sober; told th'
police to watch him, az he was u hare
character; deceased's name was Jobi
Kramer.
THE INQUEST POSTPONED.
George Wetzel who had stated to tn
undertaken that he took drink with kra
mer at $3.50 Monday night at the Mono
gram. could not be fourd, and as it wa
desirable that he should testify, and i
was also necessary to secure the man VIII
WAS last seen in Kramer's company, tn
inquest was adjourned until o'clock to
day. The police are working the case uu
and every effort will be made to unrave
. the crime. That Kramer was murdere
I in cold blood there is no room for doub,
The object Of the murder is a matter q
! conjecture. Kramer passed money owe
the coulter of the Monogram saloon whe
, seen by Wetzel Monday night, but it |
not likely he had more than few dollar
aoout his person. Whether he was muI
dered for the small amount he may hav
bad, or while engaged il . 6ght is yet I
u be learned.