Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1890-03-21
IN SOLITUDE.
A Corpse a Week Before Dis
cOyefy.
samuel Segrist Locks Himself Up In
Make a starting Discovery.


Samuel Siegrist. laborer, was found
dead in his bed in his home, ne-story
frame. 400 Second street. at $50 this
morning by Marshal Miller. Officer Kra-
mer and Messrs. Christ Letter and VIM.
Keiser, who, finding the doors and vim
dows barred, forced an entrance by re-
moving sash of the front window. Mr..
Siegrist has been living sort of hermit
life for the past three years. He was
formerly grinder at the stove foundry.
but three years ago he was stricken with
lung disease, and was obliged to give up
his work. Since then he has worked but
occasionally. The last seen of him alive
was week ago when he was In Mr.. Lef-
fler's saloon at the corner of Fourth ave>
nee and Fourth street, in company with
John Albre chit and VIM. Keiser. He had
just made a real estate transaction with
John Albrecht, disposing of his residence
property and another house which he
owned Not seeing him about since that
time. Mr.. Letter last night no.
tilted Marshal Miller of the fact,
together with his suspicious that all was
not right at Mr.. Siegrist's house. The
marshal did not like to attempt to enter
the house at night, thinking that Mr..
Siegrist might be out of town, and so
waited until this morning, when he took
Officer Kramer and also had Mr. Christ
L, fiier and Mr.. VIM. Keiser accompany
him. aud called at Siegrist's house. Find>
ing all the doors and windows securely
fastened, the marshal looked in through
the window and saw Siegrist's pants near
a rocking chair where he had apparently
left them. Satisfied, therefore, that the
man was in the house Marshal Miller re-
moved the window sash, and with his
companions entered. In little apart.
ment off the front room Siegrist was
found IN bed with his clothes on. his arms
folded. and dead. There was no look of
pain upon his face or evidence of vio-
lence upon his person. J. He had the app
pearance of being quietly sleeping. But
it was evident he had been dead for some
time. The marshal at once notified Cor
oner Halves. who proceeded to the house
of death. and empanelled as jury, II. p
Simpson. Qoremsn) Phil Miller. Chris
Letter. Lawrence Kramer, VIM. Ash and
VIM. Keiser. The jury examined the
body and repaired to room in the rear
of Christ Letters saloon a block away,
and proceeded with the inquest.
DR.. Paul was the first witness exam
ined. He testified that he had been re-
quested by the coroner to examine the
body of the dead man. and should Judge
that he had been dead fully six days. He
could not give a theory as TO the cause of
death witt out post mortem. He could
discover no evidence of violence about
the body.
Christ Ltffier testified as TO the occu>
patton of the deceased, the last time he
saw him alive as given above and what
be knew of his family. He regarded him
as quiet. industrious. sober man.
Marshal Miller and Officer Kramer told
of the discovery of the body, etc.
The verdict of the jury was that the
deceased came to his death from causes
to the jury unknown.
The deceased was a man about forty>
five years of age. He had resided in
Rock Island several years. Three years
ago his wife secured divorce from him,
and has since remarked and is living in
Davenport. He has no children or any
other relatives that any one knows of in
this country. For three years he has been
living by himself. His house was YER
liable artillery shop. In little closet of
from the room in which his body was
found were no less than two dozen guns,
rifles and muskets-all loaded to the muz-
zle. together with six revolvtrs, four of
which were Of modern make, and every
chamber loaded. Several clocks, and
works of clocks all in running shape
were hung about the walls. There was
also S202.9S in cash in a pocke,book in
the same closet, together with promis-
DRY note at thirty days for S122 endorsed
by John Albrecht. and the deed which he
had recently secured from Mr. Albrecht.
A package of morphine was found in a
room adjoining the bedroom, but the
doctor did not think there was any signs
that death was at all trsceable to it.
The body was turned over to UNDER
taker Knox and the money and other val,
tables taken in charge by the coroner and
marshal pending the appointment of an
administrator. The deceased was a mem
Der of Hecker lodge, 113. |. o. o. F.,
which will have charge of the funeral.
About fifteen years ago laborer
named Butterworth. who had lived alone
in the same house. cut his throat there.