The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-02-06
IF Not Where Can Be Found Salts
factory Proof Of His
Death?
An Interesting Chain Of Circum-
stances to the Snake River
Mystery.
Many Theories Since the News OF His
Death Was Sent Out by Tho
Independent.

published exclusively the first news Of the
death OF Robert Ray Hamilton in Snake
river. This WAS obtained indirectly from
Mr.. j. o. Green, son Of DR.. Norvin Green.
president OF the Western Union Telegraph
company. There are curious circumstances
IN connection with Mr.. GREEN'S story. He
came to the Hotel Broadwater about Sept.
and remained until Friday, the 18th. He
never told Of the affair until the day before
he left, and then it was mentioned only in
a casual way. He expressed his surprise
that the story had not appeared in the news
papers, though he made no effort to supply
the news. This was several weeks after the
alleged drowning Of Mr.. Hamilton, Mr..
Green talked about the affair with several
gentlemen, one of whom mentioned the
fact to an lNDEpENDENT reporter on the
evening after GREEN'S departure. The story
was then secured through the gentlemen
who had heard it from Mr.. Green himself.
Colonel Broadwater is quite positive that
Green said he did not zee the body. In an
interview printed afterward in the Louis
vile Courier Green said that he was one Of
the party that found the corpse, which he
said was to be buried near the
Snake river ranch. Mr.. Green
does not say that the body
was buried. The best evidence he can oifer
~ photograph made by one of his party
OF the place selected for Mr.. Hamilton'e
grave. In The INDEPENDENTS account az
related to MIR. Paul Fuse, he related the
though this account differs somewhat with
that published by the Louisville
Courier. While Mr.. Green says that he in in.
formed Mr. Eamilton's family of the affair
by telegraph. the New York papers did not
learn e,f or IT. until the news n was sent ont Of
September IA. 1t appears from the New
York Times Of Sept. 18 that ON Sept. Is
Schuyler Hamilton, brother of the dead
man, received two letters, one from John g.
sargeant, d;ted Mary Mere; Sept 2, and one
from Lake Mary Mere Sept s. MI. Bar
Reant was Mr.. Hamilton's partner in the
rancho, and Mr.. Moore was on hunting
trip when he stopped at the rancho and
learned that Mr.. Hamilton was missing.
Mr.. Sargeants account Of the discovery IL
much like that OF Mr.. Green's, though Gu
rriously he never mentions Mr.. Green
in his letter to Mr.. Schuyler Hamil-
ton. Instead he refers Mr.. Hamilton to Mr.,
Wendell Goodwin, of the University club,
Considering the fact that Mr.. Green knew
the family, that he claims to have found
the body and that he must have been able
to make himself known, it is strange indeed
that Sargent did not refer to Mr.. GREEN'S
presence. Mr.. Moore. who never saw the
body, says nothing about Mr.. Green, though
they were ut the ranch about the same
time; Then again. hile not altogether be-
yond probability, it is strange that these
two men, both intimate friends OF Hamil-
ton, should find themselves at his ranch in
time to find his body after it had been in
the water week. Again, why was
his body not removed to New York. He be-
!onged to one OF the Oldest New York fami-
lies. family that has for centuries lived in
New York city. With all of the inherited
Family pride, it naturally occurs that the
first act on the part of the Hamiltons would
be- the removal of Rays body to New York.
In general way there is an air of mystery
about 1 the whole affair. Robert Ray Hamil-
Ton was man, young, full of life and fond
of the world. After the disgrace Of the sx-
oosure, it seems hardly natural that
With his disposition he should have
gone to place as remote and far from
as any in the country. Certainly
adapted to the purpose if he desired to
disappear from the world as an alleged
lead man. These are the facts as gathered
rom the newspapers published at that
ime and the susmises that may be drawn.
Within week after the news was sent out
ast that Hamilton was not dead. These
tories quickly died out but have been
ately revived since Eva Mann sued for her
hare of the estate. The stories have taken
ari 9ns forms. One is to the effect that
tr. Hamilton is living in Nevada, another
hat he has lately been seen in Sydney,
australia, and others more or less sensa-
ional The most striking bit Of evidence
= that offered by DR.. Norvin Green,
lie says that his son gave detailed ac-
ount OF the finding of the drowned mans
'ody, but said that it was 80 changed BY
~ ukn~ kkuA
IDENTIFY it. 1t appears that Mr.. y. ..
1reen either lied i'll Helena and Louisville
'r lied to his father, or that someone elss
las lied. IL DR.. Green's statement is true,
nd his son told the truth to him, then the
witnesses are reduced to Mr.. Sargent, who
is II mystery and will continue to be so
ntil the fact is shown beJ ond dispute that
robert Ray Hamilton is either dead or
live. But it is suggested that il Mr.
ireen could not identity the body when
eeing it, how could Mr.. Sargent identify
,n's object i'll thus disapnearingY This is
hat the New York Sun says about the
natter:
When Robert Ray Hamilton disappeared,
. was suing for the annulment OF his
larriage. Upon him depended the burden
ged wife WAS suing to compel him to sup
ort her from his estate, and protracted and
ost expensive litigation stared him in the
ICE. His death reversed the situation.
he burden of proof was taken from him
I'D was placed upon the shoulders of the
aimant. Her claim was promptly thrown
1t in the surrogate's court, and now the
at step in the litigation that will free Mr..
amilton from his entanglement appears
the shape OF a suit on the part OF his
.other's wife, to have the ceremonial mar
age between Hamilton and Eva Mann de-
ared void, because it is cloud on the
tie Of the real estate disposed Of by his
i'll.
If this case is also decided in favor Of
r. Hamilton. he can return. assert his
ghts, and reclaim the estate that has been
lied to his brother; for that viii would
null and void. Even the 81, 100 annuity
IT to Baby Beatrice would cease to b. To-
lily hers, What a comfortable situation
lis would be for one who. year ago, Was
,parently involved in diagraceful, humili-
ing, and inextricable entanglements!
hat true friend of Robert hay Hamilton
,es not hope that he il still livinRP"
And again, when Mr.. j. $. Green was In
elena he told Col. Lambeth an a Mr.
.ui Fuse that he knew Hamilton we'll aud
entitled the body AZ his; IN New York,
cording TO his father, he could not adsnt-
! the body.
"a ~