The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-09-04
MURDERED HIS NATE.
A Woodchopper Crushes in His
Partners Skull.
THE MuTILATED BODY FOUND.
CHASTITY Discovery In the New County
Cemetery Reveals . Murder-Ihe
Murderer I'm Montana.

The BODY Of J. EdIund, q German woodchop-
per, was found with the head crushed yesterday
morning in a wooded corner of the new county
poor farm cemetery, three miles south OF the
city There is every reason 10 believe that the
man was fonlly murdered and suspicion points
to John Lucas, now in KeViila, Aont-' as the
murderer.
Yesterday morning young man named Ber-
tram Campbell, employed by John l. Porter,
who has the contract for clearing the new
county graveyard, was sent out to the northeast
corner of the cemetery TO see about the loading
of some cordwood. Near by stands cabin that
for a long time was occupied by Lucas and Ed
lund. The place was deserted and the interior
of the cabin presented scene OF disorder that
suggested fierce struggle. A rusted ak with
blood stains on the blade and handle lay On
the floor and near 10 was belt that had been
worn by Edlund, which was severed at the
buckle An obnoxious odor hlied the air ana,
following an almost obliterated trail that gave
evidence OF some heavy body having been
dragged along. young Campbell located the body
OF Edlund in o small hollow of the ground. The
spot ia surrounded with bushes and small trees
and hasty effort had been made TO cover the
murdered man with leaves.
The body, which was attired only in night
clothes, was wrapped in quilt which had been
gathered up at the neck and then tied with rope.
In this condition the body had been dragged
yards.
Campbell Immediately notified his employer
and Mr. Porter communicated the news of the
CHASTITY find 10 Deputy Coroner Smart The
body of Edlund was removed to the city and
later inferred in the old county cemetery. The
man must have been murdered ten days ago,
Judging from the condition of the body.
The circumstances which point to Lucas as
the murderer are as follows: John L. Porter, a
wood dealer wanted men to chop wood Tor him,
and August II he called on John Rae and Frank
Crawford, employment agents, at the corner of
Third and Washington streets, and left his adj
dress and terms. August Is two Ger
mans. one large and the other
small, appeared at the employment
Office and applied for work The large man
said his name was John Lucas, and he did all
the talking. The other man gave his name
J. Edlund. They were sent out 10 Mr.. Potters
place in South Seattle, and that gentleman set
them to work cutting wood from the county
cemetery, and also allowed them the use OF
cabin which stands in the northeast corner of
the lot. The compensation OF the men was 81. so
q cord for ali the wood they cut.
About ten days ago Mr.. Rae saw John Lucas
in town alone, and asked him:
"Didn't you like your job"
He did not reply Immediately, and seemed
rather embarrassed Finally ne said:
81 didn't like the work. I've just come from
Tacoma"
Mr. Rae didn't tslk any more with him.
week ago yesterday, at o'clock in the morning,
Lucas called on Mr.. Porter, and asked for the
balance due himself and his companion, Ed
lund He appeared excited, and was asked;
what are you going to do?"
"rm willing to keep at work, but my partner
II going out to pick hops. will give him his
money"
Mt. Porter concluded that probably the men
l.a A.I
quits" and, thinking nothing more about the
matter, he paid Lucas IS, and the woodman
went away.
The same morning Mr.. Porter drove to the
city, and on the way he came across Lucas, who,
with his blankets on his back, was also headed
for town. Lucas appeared embarrassed at meet
ing his employer, and Mr.. Porter asked him:
"Why are you not up at camp"
"Pm going to town for new saw" he replied
The same day Lucas called at the Office of Rae
x Co., asked for Mr. Rae, who was out and
bought cutrate ticket to RevilIa, Montana.
lie said he was going to work for the Northern
Pacific railroad as laborer on the line. He
was alone. and there was nothing in his de-
meanor to excite suspicion.
The conclusions drawn from the facts of the
case by the authorities are that Edlund must
have had money; that he was attacked with
some sharp weapon while asleep, and that when
he fought for his life Lucas crushed his head
with an ak Fearing the law, Lucas disposed OF his
victim in the manner described and fed from
the scene. After being away few days and his
crime not being discovered he became bold and
returned to his cabin by night, took his blankets,
and. arriving at Mr. Porters house at o'clock
In the morning, he got what money was due
himself and his murdered companion and left
the country.
Sheriff woolery sent the following dispatch
last evening to the city marshal at Revilla,
Mont
Look out for John Lucas: height five feet ten
inches; weight, 10 pounds, German He is
supposed TO be a laborer working for the North
ern Pacific Railway Company, and is wanted
here for murder.