The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-06-25
DEATH OF NORTH CHoYNsKI.
An Eccentric Character Passes Ava
With No One Near Him.


The well-known character, Moritz Choynski.
was found dead in his cabinet shop, at the rear
of the Plymouth Congregational church, near the
corner of Third and University streets, yester-
day forenoon about Gas o'clock. laborer
named Smith, who is employed excavating the
lot upon which the temporary church building
stands, saw Choynski at work Tuesday alter
noon, but that the last seen of him until
yesterday forenoon, when a teamster, A. G. Me-
Farland, discovered the man dead. The rumor
that he had come to his death by violent means,
that there had been great scufle. and that
everything about the shop was in a very badly
disarranged state, resulting from some sort of
fracas, quickly spread, and the attention OF Cor
oner Horton was called TO the case.
Choynski was found, apparently having fallen
over a carpenters saw horse, his head, just
above the forehead, having struck sharp piece
of board. DIR. Horton and Prosecuting Attorney
Miller held a consultation before noon, but with
the conclusion that the death of Choynski was
purely accidental, and was the probable result
of an epileptic fit, 10 which, it was said, he
subject. The remains were taken to Bonney e.
Stewards.
Moritz ChoynsE was much pitied man. His
age was about As, and he had evidently expert
enced some bitter trouble, else he was afflicted
with disease to such an extent as TO make him
sour and misanthropic. He was a very isolated
man, still he true to his friends. He figured
as defendant in a shooting case two years ago,
he having hot Peter Bauman, the billiard table
salesman, on May 10, 1859. The shooting occur
red in the Pantheon saloon, which was then on
Commercial street. and where Mr.. Bauinan
made his headquarters. Choynski had cabinet
shop over the tide flats on Commercial street,
and Bauman had borrowed q screw-driver from
him. Choynski with his rather chronic crab
bed manner, demanded the return OF the screw
driver and received a response from Mr.. Bau-
man to the effect that il would be returned all
right Choynski went into the saloon sub
seduently, with note, couched in not very
amiable terms and addressed 10 Bauman, to
hand to the barkeeper, and after taking drink,
Bauman approached him. Choynski retreated
backward reckoning Bauman not 20 follow him,
and then drew a small revolver and shot at
BauIan the bullet taking effect near Bau-
mans right eye The grand jury indicted
Choynski for assault with deadly weapon with
intent TO do bodily injury, but he got Mr. Eben
smith to defend him, he having been defended
once before by Mr.. Smith in an assault and bat
terv case, and feeling a sort OF friendly con-
6dence in Mr.. Smith. The jury brought in
verdict of simple assault, Choynsh being fined
s25.
whatever preyed upon Choynski's mind, he
has behaved in q very peculiar manner lately on
the streets and has rambled about at all hours,
seeming to wander aimlessly. yet constantly
nre-occupied with some mental trouble Mr..
smith thinks he was a native OF Germany be-
cause he had frequently referred during the
trial TO his mother in Germany to whom he was
in the habit Of sending money whenever he
could, his remissness in this respect often max
ing him morose in disposition and eager
for sympathy He also made reference re-
naatedly TO cousin in San Franz cisco,
and il was generally reported that he was Of kin
10 Joe Choyuski, the prizshghter, but this opin-
ion has never seemed 20 be more than mere con-
lecture. He was unmarried and lived in his lit
lie shop. and in his trade he was very skillful
and particular.
The life and manner OF the deceased was of
such a nature as TO excite suspicion that AZ an
early day there had been an arrangement of
some kind in the Cnoynski family in the Old
country, but this has never been proved to be
more than suspicion. At any rate, he came TO
the United states when very young, and during
the war he served in the Union army. He came
10 this city about twelve years ago and was q
member Of stevens pest, 6. A. K.