The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-07-28
BODY OF An unknown.
The Badly Decomposed Remains of
a Man Found Above the
Broadwater.
To Be Placed On View Today for
the Purpose Of Identih-
cation.
The Coroner's Inquest Will BE Held at the
Court House at Three O'Clock
Today.

Last night about o'clock w. F. Green
came in town and informed DR.. Rockman
that a man had been found in the creek
bottom mile and half up the gulch from,
the Broadwater. The coroner got jury
together in a short time and with Mr.
Green started out in a carryall to investi-
the case. They drove out at rapid gait
and reached Green's place inside of an
hour. The coroner and the jury went over
the steep railroad embankment near the
place down into the dry creek bot
tom and then clambered up the slope OF
small mound or island in the bed of the
creek.
- An awful stencil made them aware that
they we're close to the object of their
search. Lying there in the brush which
covered the top of the mound they saw the
body of man SO badly decomposed that it
was impossible to tell whether he was white
or black. The body lay face down, the left
hand pressed across the brow and the right
hand extended at arms length along the
body. A new hat was on the ground about
foot away from the head. The body was
dressed in a new, light summer coat, new
pair of overalls and new pair of boots.
On the coat was tag bearing the size 36.
One pocket of the overalls stood open as
though some one had searched it but all it
contained at the time of the discovery was a
small piece of tobacco. The only other ar-
knife and handkerchief. The hair on the
head of the body was slightly gray indi-
eating that the remains were those OF an
old man, but the teeth were white and per-
feet. The place where the body was found
and its surroundings are of such forma-
&x>u nv%r ,,n1ry iT,1tf f,or
an ordinary man to reach it. drunken
man would most likely break leg or his
neck in trying to get over the railroad en-
bankment, down III the creek bed and up
on the top of the island. If the body had
washed down the creek when the water was
ried the mans hat down the stream after
landing the body on the island.
Mr.. Green. who brought the information
to DR.. Rockman, lives in a cabin near the
creek, noticed on last Monday a peculiar
odor in the air and was puzzled to know
what it came FROM, lie concluded to hnd
out what it WAS and searched around until
he got near the island, and going to the top
he discovered the body and Immediately
came to town last night with the news.
When the jury examined the body it was so
dark that nothing much could be seen, but
apparently there were no marks OF violence
on it. After getting through win the ex.
animation Undertaken Hermann placed
the body in coffin and it was brought into
the city last night about II O'Clock.
The inquest will be continued at the court
house this afternoon at o'clock before the
following jury: John Steinmetz, Charles
F. Stewart, William Reed, l.. W. Si,cott,
w. G. Miller and Harpin Davies. The body
will be exposed to the view of the public to-
day in the engine room back of the court
house for the purpose of Identification, al
though this would seem to be almost in,
possible from the condition of the remains.
DIR. Rockman says that the circumstances
surrounding the affair bear a suspicious as
pect. and he proposes to give the case q
most thorough investigation. Last night,
from the brief examination which was
made, he was unable to wholly satisfy him
self as to what caused the mans death. He
will call in the services of another physician
at the inquest today and the body will be
carefully examined for any wounds or other
marks which would be likely to throw any
light upon what at present looks like mys-
FERROUS case.