Morning journal and courier., 1890-07-10
DrapIrs AyIr ROCK WATERS.

The Rody OF Charles Clinton, q West |
Haven Fisherman and Local Charac- |
ter, Found In she water or Bradleyss |
Point-MedicaI Examiner Barnett
Dlscredits Foul Play.
Medical Examiner Barnett of West Haven
diseredits all stories of foul play connected
with the death of Charles Clinton of that
place, whose body was found in the waters
of Savin Rock off Bradley's point about 8
O'Clock yesterday morning. He has made a
careful investigation of the affair, and has
come to the conclusion that the Savin Rock
fisherman fell into the water while in state
Of intoxication Tuesday night, and was
drowned before help could reach him.
The body was first discovered by Edward
Haines, a sharpe captain, floating in the
Grove house, about o'clock yesterday
morning. He fastened q line to the sus-
penders which the body displayed above the
surface Of the water, and started to tow it
ashore. Before he had proceeded far the
| suspenders gave way and the body imme-
diately sank out of sight.
Word was then given at Bradley's Point
and two young men set off to the point
| Wu0l0 LILO UOuy nouAS ubuSu ~ up W1tu OIOp-
ping hooks, and carried It to what is known
''Fishing Rock" directly off the point.
Medical Examiner Barnett was then called
and made an examination eff the body. He
found the face eighty scratched but this
was undoubtedly caused by pulling the
body from the water through the sand to
the rocks. On turning the body over water
came from the lungs and this convinced DIR.
Barnett that the man had come to his death
by drowning. No marks of violence could
be found anywhere upon the body. The
man wore good pair of pants which were
tucked carefully into his boots and
his shirt was also carefully
in order. No evidences of a
fight or scuf1es were anywhere visible. DR..
Barnett concluded that the body had been in
the water for six or eight hours at the most.
An inquiry about the point and the resorts
in the vicinity failed to give any information
of the unfortunate fisherman after 8 o'clock
on Tuesdsy afternoon. At 3 o'clock ne was
seen by several at Bradley's point. He was
apparently sober at this time, and did not
have any money. He was hungry and asked
for something to eat About 3 o'clock he
was seen again in another part of the neigh
|-borhood. He was then under the influence
of liquor. Nothing could be learned of him
after this.
The most plausible explanation is that
which DR.. Barnett seems to credit He
thinks that Clinton, who is very fond of
stimnlants, lounged about the drinking
places about Waverly grove until night.
Then he endeavored to return across what lie
passageway across creek which runs inland
near the point. 1t is furnished with gates &c
shut out the tide. 1t is tickIish passage
for sober man to attempt during the night,
and in crossing this the fisherman probably
missed his footing and fell into the
deep water on the outer side. The
current here runs out very strongly with the
tide, and his body was probably carried
along to the point where it was first seen by
Captain Haipes, which is upon the line OF
the outrunning current from the creek. In
view of these facts, DR.. Barnett does not
consider the case one which requires a coro-
ne1's Investigation, but if new evidence il
recommend careful inquiry.
The unfortunate fisherman was between
forty and fifty years of age; He was rather
ehort, stout, of sandy hair, moustache and
beard of about two weeks growth. He has
a wife and two or three children living in
New Jersey, but he has not seen them fol
several years. His father was we'll known
a few years ago. He has two or three broth
ers, one of whom was once~a constable II
West Haven.
The deceased was a we'll known characte,
about the place, and many are the storie
which the villagers tell of him
He was rarely sober, aud when il
his Joyous moods he was a circus il
in himself. He would extemporize poetr.
of high and low degree, he would set hi
lines to music and sing from sad to gay, from
lively to severe. He would set his hearers il
a roar by his limitations of the voices an(
peculiarities of animals, and many belatet
pedestrian has run upon the happy-go-luck.
fisherman by the side of the road gleefull,
amusing himself with his own oddities.
Medical Examiner Barnett delivered tn
body to the selectmen of the town and the,
in turn have given it to the relatives 70
burial. The affair has caused not littl
talk along the West Haven shore and abou
the quiet little village.