St. Paul daily globe., 1892-10-08
J. Nilton Turner will positive
Iy speak at ArglOE'y hall toni glat.
MURDER OR ACCIDENT?

w. j. Hastings Found Dead Under
Suspicious Circumstances
W. }. Hastings, manager for the w.
A. Edwards installment house in the
Union League block. was found dead
yesterday morning at the foot of the
stairs Oh the first landing of the block.
lie was found by his brother, N.
j. Hastings, at O'Clock. lying
face downward, with blood ooZ-
ing from his lips. He had evidently
been dead for several hours, for the
body was stiff and cold. n. j. Hastings
procured aid and carried his brother to
his room on the third floor of the build
Ing. DR.. Staples Was summoned, and,
after examining the body, ordered it
taken to Hume d DAVIS undertaking
ROOMS at the corner of Hennepin avenue
and Fifth street There is something
peculiar about the whole affair, which
lends color to the belief that the death
of Hastings WAS not due to an accident
but that he was killed 10y a blunt IN
strument in the hands of an unknown
party.
AT first it was supposed that death
was due to apOpleXy OF fall down the
stairs, causing cerebral congestion.
Closer examination at the undertaking
rooms, however, revealed the fact that
Hastings skull had been fractured. 1t
was peculiar. fracture, beginning ut
the side Of the right temple and extend
ing clear through to the other side of
the head. There was 10 abrasion of the
skin, but at tie point where the fracture
commenced there was little round
spot reSe mbllng very much the result
of blow from blunt instrument. In
the afternoon Deputy Coroners Cary
and OrtOn, together with DR.. Staples,
held pOSt-mOrtem examination Oh the
body, and arrived at the conclusion that
death was caused by fracture of the
skull. The stairs and hall in the Union
League block were examined carefully,
and it was conceded that a fall would
not have caused such fracture.
Further investigation was therefore
postponed until today, when it is eX-
pected that Coroner Byrnes will be
home. when an Inquest will be held.
The physicians WHO conducted the Lost
mortem are free in their statements
that the whole affair bears a peculiar
aspect. and that the indications al that
Hastings was murdered.
Hastings had been total abstainer of
Intoxicating drinks for nearly three
years until about two weeks ago, when
he became despondent over the culmi-
drinking again. He has always proved
himself to be man of exemplary hab-
Its, but Thursday night he was seen at
10 o'clock in a state of inebriety. HIS
brother says lie did not come to the room
at all that night ana he did not see him
until he found his dead body lying at
| the foot of the stairs. The janitor of
the block states that he locked the door
leading TO the hall, and no one could
have entered without key. Hastings
had key, and if the supposition that
he was murdered is correct. it is natural
| to suppose that he was followed into the
hall and struck with slung shot while
preparing to climb the stairs to his room
Oh the third floor. When found by his
brother Hastings pockets were empty,
| but his watch still remained in his vest.
| 1t is not thought, however, that he had
much money on his person at any time
| time during tie day previous.
] Hastings father anu mother live On
| farm in New York state. and it was the
intention of N. j. Hastings to have
shipped the remains there for inter-
ment at once. This, however, will
have to be postponed until the coroner
returns and has rendered his decision
| in the case.