Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1892-10-07
FOUND DEAD IN THE ROAD.
Gust Artmann Quarrels With Alex
travel, and is Found Dead
Two Hours Later.
FOUGHT WITH PITCHFORKS
Gravel and Nicholas Casa Arrested and
Charged With the Crime. The
49, Autopsy and Inquest.

Lying in the dust and dirt of the
Rich Prairie road about 8 O'Clock
Saturday evening Cyprian Duclos
and Julius Neulnan found the
dead body Of Gust Artmann.
He had been in the city during
the day. He came in early in
the morning with load of wheat.
He had left his wife and little child
at home, and came to town to sell
the result OF hard labor. No thought
of an eternal separation was theirs
as they said their good-byes, but
rather the thought of the Joy which
would soon come to gladden. their
hearts and brighten their home. He
was strong in his manly strength at
morn, and cold in death at eve.
Such was the case last Saturday
with Gust Artman a farmer, living
about seven miles from the city.
About s o'clock Saturday evening
his body was found dead ON the
Rich Prairie road. Alexander Gravel
and Nicholas Casa are locked up
in the steel cells in the county Jail,
charged with his murder.
All day yesterday excited groups
of men stood on street cornors,
talking over the story Of the most
unprovoked murder. AS is always
the case, with anything Of great
public interest, numerous conflicting
stories were afloat. The trouble
leading up to the fatal quarrel was
told by County Commissioner
Narcisse Gravel, father OF the young
man charged with the terrible
crime, yesterday morning to a
TRANSCRIPT reporter. His story
was also corroborated by Casa.
Young Gravel and Casa came to
town early in the day with a load
OF grain. They started home about
Z O'Clock. Casa was driving the
team while Alex Gravel was driving
with his father in a light buggy.
They had gone about two miles and
had just got to the top OF what is
called the "Big Hill.'' when they
were hailed by Artmann. AS soon as
he found out who they weee he
commenced abusing young Gravel,
ending by stating that he could and
would whip him. He got out of his
wagon, and approached the two
Gravels. Alex jumped out and the
two commenced fighting They were
Joined by Casa, who attempted to
seperate them.
Just how it happened is not very
distinct, but Alex Gravel shows an
ugly scalp wound about four inches
In length which he claims was made
by Artmann with the pitchfork
Narcisse Gravel stated that Artmann
tried to drive the fork through his
sons head but only wounded him.
Young Gravel succeeded in securing
the pitchfork. and it is claimed used
it to defend himself when attacked a
second and third time by.Artmann.I 1t
was during the third scuffle that
ArtDan was heard to say he had
enough. The three men then drove
away, Alex riding on the wagon
with Casa. Artmann was left lying
in the middle of the road, During
the trouble his team had started and
nothing was seen OF it until yesterday
morning when it was found at
LafOnd's farm. Arriving at their
home about ten miles from the city,
all retired for the night after attend.
ing to young Gravel's wound.
1t was not until nearly nine O'Clock
that word of the affray reached the
city, and even then it was of the
most meagre kind. Coroner Fortie1
was notified and went out to where
the body was lying. He ordered il
brought to Harting's Jude rtaking
rooms in the city. On his return
Sheriff Houde was notified of the
murder, and Deputy Sheriffs Ed
Tanner and Will TOurtillott were
sent out to arrest Casa, who it was
thought had committed the crime
1t was only after long inquiry that
young Gravel's connection with the
trouble was found out and he was
also arrested. They were fonnd al
home and in bed. In fact it was
not until this morning that they
learned OF the death of their victim
It was considered best that they be
not informed of the serious nature Of
the charge, and were allowed tc
think that it was simply a case o.
assault.
Considerable doubt exists III the
minds Of the physicians as to thu
truth of the story above related
This is based upon the nature of the
wounds. The theory advanced BY
the doctors is that Artman was
standing in his wagon when the
fatal blow was delivered, and thai
| it was made with knife, and not {
pitchfork. 1t is just at the height
(which a man would be most apt to
hit were he on the ground and his
Iopponent standing in the wagon
This theory is Sustained an6
corroboroted, by the fact that large
i quantities of blood were on tn,
4 wagon. After receiving the fatal blow
it is thought that Artmann criet
enough, and his assailants left hin
and drove on home. He first fel
to the bottom OF the hay rack, ant
becoming weaker and weaker from
the loss of blood, in attempting tx
guide his horses he fell into the road
THE DEAD AND THE LIVING.
/ At nine O'Clock this morning al
autopsy was held upon the re mains
under the directions OF Coroner For
tier. The scalpe was handled b,
DR.. Trace, who was assisted by Drs
IDumont, Paquin, and Wright. Be
| fore theautopsy was commenced, o1
suggestion OF the Coroner, Attorne.
q Lind bergh sent for Dung Gravel. Fl
!, was taken to the morgue handcuffe,
and under charge Of Deputy Sheriff
Tanner and Tourtillo ThecroW,