The Dalles times-mountaineer. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1882-1904, 1892-11-19
A MYSTERIOUS MURDER CASE
| An Unknown Man Found MutIiated
| In 4. Union Facific B0x-Car.

0regonian Noy. 18th.
Captain Charles GritZmacher and three
of his observation-disclosures, Griffin and
Holsspple--are now working on one of
the most desperate cases of murder that
has ever been reported to police head
quarters in Portland. The mystery that
surrounds 1t, and the fact that there is no
clue to work upon, make the matter
rather difficult for the officers to solve,
but they spent al! their time last night
endeavoring to gain some information.
The Union Pacific freight train that ar
rived IN this city yesterday morning at
6:35 O'Clock brought box-ca No. 3193,
loaded with wheat for the Pacific Coast
Elevator Comps at Aibina. The car
was swltched off at the elevator, and
shortly after F. Summers, G.. James, G.
Anderson and 81. James began unloading
It. They noticed bloody stains on the
sides of the car and on some of the sacks,
but gave no thought to the matter. After
having removed several truck loads of
the wheat, one of the workmen saw
mans feet underneath some sacks. In
vestigation proved that a dead man was
there. Further work was suspended,
and word was sent to the police station.
1t was no case for the officers then, and
Coroner Holman was notified. He sent
out his deputy, Hance Tuthill, and that
officer caused the sacks to BIZ removed,
wien horrible sight was revealed.
There was man IN cramped position,
with his head and neck butchered in
terrible manner. After the situation had
been carefully inspected, the body was
taken to the morgue and Captain of De
tectivee Gritzmacher notified.
1T WAS A BRUTAL MURDER.
1t did not take the captain long to de-
eide that foul murder had been com
mitted, and he set about to get some in
formation, but, so far, he has been unsuc-
cessful.
Car No. 3193 was loaded with wheat at
Elberton, in the Snake-river country. 1t
was sealed at that place and brought to
The Dalles, where it was dropped. Con-
ductor Stout picked it up Monday and
brought it to Mosler, where he side
tracked it. Then Conductor Harris
brought 1t into Portland yesterday morn-
noticed that the seal was broken, but no
attention was paid to this, and it was
only when the body was discovered that
this fact presented itself in most sig
nIfcant way.
How the man came to his death can
only be surmised, but the detectives offer
very feasible solution. 1t is based up
on his condition. An examination by
City Physician c. 81. Wheeler 1T the
morgue showed that he had been tear
fully mutilated. On the left side OF the
neck were three knife wounds, one reach
ing nearly to the windpipe. On the right
side of the head were several wounds.
His skull was fractured here, and large
hole easily admitted two fingers of the
physician. Oyer the eye and on the tenn
pie were other gashes from which the
blood was still oozlng, while on the chest
were indications that he bad been beaten
by some heavy instrument. Then on his
neck were finger marks showing that the
assassins had made an effort to strangle |
HIM. His coat and vest were torn almost |
into shreds, and there were other indlca>
tions that he had fought desperately for |
his life.
HOW THE WORK WAS DONE.
Considering everything, the detectives |
came to one conclusion. The man was |
some one who had been working 10 ware
houses in the wheat country about The |
Dalles. He was on his way to Portland,
and during the train blockade that exis.
ted at Bonneville Tuesday fell into the
company of two tramps, and they entered
this car. There il was ascertained that
the deceased had money and an attempt |
was made to rob him. He resisted and
was set upon, cut with a knife and
beaten with, evidently. coupling pin,
until he was dead. Then his pockets
were rifed, for there were bIoodstains IN
side, and every article of value that he
then shrewdly concluded to conceal the
body in the Car, and, placing it in a cor
ner, after having wrapped some empty
sacks about the mutilated head, piled the
wheat over it. Then they left the car
with their booty.
Everything WAS taken from the cloth
ing but a letter which was lett behind
1t gave no date, but was addressed "Dear
Brother and signed "Lease." 1t refer
red to matters of family nature, and
threw no light whatever upon the mans
identity.
The detectives went to Alblna last
night, but could not find the crew that
brought the car IN yesterday morning. for
they had gone back to The Dslles, and
will not return until THIS evening. They
are very anxious to find out who the man
is. He is apparently about 35 years old.
5 feet 10 inches In height, and weighs
about IT'S pounds. He was dressed in a
black trock coat, black vest and gray
striped pants. His overshirt was g blue
flannel one, and his underclothing was of
brown wooden goods. BE has sandy hair
and very light mustache. 1t was ap-
parent that be wore false teeth, and his
bare upper gums were lacerated, as if
having been struck by some heavy in
strument.
Coroner Holman will probably not hold
an inquest until to morrow. and mean
time the detectives will endeavor to OBJ
tain some clue.
Divorces a specially, reliable advice, no