The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-04-16
FROM A FIT OF APOPLEXY.
j. W. Dodge Found Dead in His
Bed in the Pacific Hotel
Yesterday.
The Deceased Leaves q Wife and
Family at Waukesha, Wis
cOnsin.
An Inquest Held and Verdict of Death
from Apoplexy Rendered by
the Jury.

j. w. Dodge, man we'll known in this
city was found dead in his bed at room No.
2 in the Pacific hotel, yesterday afternoon.
He had been dead about ten hours when
discovered as rigor mortis had already set
in. The mans fists were clenched and one
of his feet twisted almost out of shape,
giving evidence of spasm. Blood oozed
from the mouth and the spectacle alto
gether was sickening and CHASTITY.
Rumors of suicide had been circulated,
the cause of Dodge's death and he judged
from the appearance of the body that death
was due to apoplexy. He said there were
no symptoms of poisoning. Coroner Rock
man thought he died of apoplexy of the
lungs, and a verdict to this effect was
rendered.
The news of Dodge's death did not create
any surprise among those who were intimate
with him, as he has led rather dissipated
life while living in Helena. He was man
of fine attainments who might have been
to-day one of the most prominent officials
of the Northern Pacific railroad, had he
possessed the will power to control himself.
He had been in the employ OF that com
pany for about fifteen years at St. Paul.
He was generous to fault when he could
be SO. and was his only enemy.
He returned to his room some time Sun
day night, and remained in bed the whole
of the following day. The chambermaid
thought stsp to 5S sse ads
ing about O'Clock the oc-
cupant of an adjoining room heard
croans coming from No. 2 and about an
hour after heard faint cry, but nothing
more. When the chambernaid went to
make up the bed in Dodge's room yesterday
morning she could not get in, and the same
being the case during the afternoon she
notified the proprietor, W. A. Bridger, who
looked over the transom. He saw limb
hanging out of the bed and from its rigid
pallor feared the worst and sought an Off
Ger. Constable Cleary responded and forced
the door, and Dodge was found as stated.
The coroner was notified and a jury sum-
moned. After viewing the remains the jury
repaired to the morgue, where the inquest
was held, and the body was taken to Sen
nett's undertaking establishment.
A. G. Botkin, city clerk. since the 9th of
March, and he worked every day until last
Saturday. He last saw him on Sunday and
noticed an unwholesome pallor and OBJ
served the same appearance for several
days previous. George Boucher, knew
in the city sewer department. To him
Dodge had said he had wife and two child
rem living at Waukesha. He had thought a
great deal of his family and expressed the
hope that the time would come when he
could be united with them, as being sepa-
rated was not his idea of married life. e.
+. Holster said he knew the deceased for
the past eight Or ten years, and they worked
together in the Helena sewer department.
Mr. Botkin last night telegraphed to the
deceased's family for instructions as to the
disposition of the remains. Yesterdays mail
brought letter from Mrs. Dodge at Wau-
kesha. Wis. but it was not opened. De-
ceased was about 40 years of age.