The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1894-08-24
From Moneay's Daily.

Drancn OF large WILLOW Tree,
that stood on the brow of the
bank of the river, overlooking the now
dry and underbrush covered bed that
the stream occupies only when swollen
by winter snow and spring freshets.
The tree is one that has trunk fully
thirty inches in diameter, but as it
leans toward the river it can easily be
climbed by young and active man,
by the aid of the little limbs that
grow out every foot or two. The
bough from which was suspended the
body was from four to six inches in
diameter, and was some eight feet
from the base of the tree, on the river
side, and so overreached the river bed
that from the bottom of the lat
ter it was about fifteen feet
to the bough. The suicide had evil
IDENTIFY climbed the tree as indicated
and'tied his rope to the bough over the
river bed, and then jumped off into
eternity. The rope was a new one,
about fourth of an inch in diameter
and was doubled, and slipping
moose made for the neck, the knot
coming under the right ear.
The tree in question is directly back
of the Milwaukee depot and not over
a block from it.
The body hung perfectly still, with
the hands hanging down by it's side,
and the legs straight down. The hat,
large white felt one such as is worn
by cowboys on the plains, was
on the mans head, tilted slightly to
one side. A rubber rain coat was ly-
ing at the base of the tree.
Mr.. Smith at once went to the city
hall and notified Officer Grout, and
Coroner Shoemaker was soon on the
ground. The latter ordered the re-
mains cut down and removed to j.
Klein & Co.'S undertaking establish
ment, where they were viewed by
hundreds of people during the day.
No one of the crowds who looked
on the body saw a familiar
lineament. A search of the clothing
and pockets was made for some clue
by which to identify the man, but in
vain. There was not scratch or a
line to indicate in the remotest de-
gree who he was or where he came
from.
The body is that of rather under
sized man, of American parentage,
and the face is pleasing, though sal
low and sunken as though
by disease or starvation. The
clothing is that of a respectable
working man, and though plain are
neat. Only two cents in money was
found on his person.
AS nearly as can be ascertained, the
deceased walked to this city from
Owatonna some days ago, in search of
work, having been told that threshing
hands were in demand about Mankato.
He visited the farms in this vicinity,
and applied for work of various par
ties in this city, but without success.
Where he stayed is not known,
but that he was hungry is
known, yet he appeared to have been
too proud to beg. He gave his name
to no one, but frequently spoke of the
hard times making it so difficult to
obtain work, and though farm hand,
he offered to do any kind of work he
could get. He tried on Saturday to
pawn his watch at P. X. Wiser's jew
elry store.
1t is believed that the young man
became respondent at his repeated
failures to obtain work, and decided
to end his life, rather than cast him
self upon public charity. His watch
was still running when found, and the
body still retained some heat. 1t is
probable that the deed was committed
at about three or four o'clock this