Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1895-03-09
DEAD IN HIS BED.
Was Capt. j. e. Hugunin Found
This Morning.
HIS DEMISE QUITE A MYSTERY.

House Well Man Last Night, and Taken
Therefrom ~ . Corpss-wss . Proni.
ncnt River Mantle IoQuest.
Capt. j. E. Hugunin, of Cordova,
the well known river man, was found
dead in a room on the third floor of
the American house about 8 o'clock
this morning, by Miss Minnie Hub
bard. chamber maid employed at
the house. Word was Immediately
dispatched to Proprietor Ulam. who
summoned DIR. E. NJ. Sala and Deputy
Coroner Eckhart. The physician ar
rived about 9 o'clock, and upon in
vestigation found the body still warm,
but could detect no evidence of foul
play. There were no marks of ex-
treme violence. Nothing that would
Justify the assigning of death to
suicide could be found, and whether
q poisonous drug was administered
is questionable. and its only solution
would be at the hands of a post
mortem examination. A revolver,
besides several dollars in change was
found in his clothes, which we're
rather carelessly strewn about the
room. Every chamber OF the weapon
was loaded.
Capt. Hugunin came down from
Cordova yesterday morning. and. ac-
cording to various people. he had
been drinking heavily during the
day. Becoming intoxicated, he con-
cluded to remain in the city over
night, and secured lodging at the
American house on Market square.
His death might be attributed to
heart disease, with which w. b.
Graves. a brother-in-law Of the de-
ceased, states he had been afflicted.
The woman's Story.
The Hubbard woman, who was
the first one to discover the body,
states that she went to the room to
cali Capt. Hugunin about 8 o'clock.
and at first thought him asleep.
Upon closer examination she discov-
cred that he was dead, and notified
the other members of the house, who
sent for Nj. Ulam.
..About 8 o'clock last evening""
continued the woman. "the cap
tain and myself had cou-
pie of drinks together. He
was then intoxicated. Then he
went down stairs. He occupied
room 8 on the third floor. slept in
No. 6, which is across the hall on the
same floor. After drinking the beer
/ did not see him until this morning.
when found him dead in the bed.
don't know who assigned him to the
room.
The authenticity of the woman's
story is questionable. David Ulam,
proprietor of the house, said that the
deceased applied for lodging about ~
o'clock last night, and was given
the keys to the room wherein the
corpse was found. Whether anyone
else occupied the room, Mr.. Ulam
was unable to state, as Mr.. Hugunin
asked for no directions with regard
to the location of the room. The
Hubbard woman was formerly Mrs.
gether with her child, came a few
months since to secure a divorce
from her husband. which she sue
ceeded in doing. She aud the cap
tain were we'll acquainted, AID
it is also said that a number of other
citizens here enjoy her friendship.
Appearance OF the Body.
When seen by an ARGUS represen-
tative. who arrived Immediately af-
ter the discovery. the body lay on
its back on the outer side of the bed,
and was only partly disrobed. the
deceased failing to remove his white
shirt before retiring. The location
of the body and the appearance OF
the bed was pretty strong evidence
OF there having been more
than asingle occupant. Wheth-
er this would have any bear
ing toward solving the cause OF
death it would be unsafe to say, but
circumstances would he made a lit
tie clearer. AS it is now an air OF
mystery seems to pervail.
The Coroner = Inquest.
Deputy Coroner Eckhart impan-
neled q jury composed of c. E.
Hodgson. William Eckerman. George
Perry. &. A. Martin. j. S. Freeman
ana Joseph Walters, and begun an
inquest at the American house this
morning, when the testimony Of the
witnesses, David Ulam. Minnie
Hubbard, DR.. +. NJ. Sala and w. B.
Graves. was given substantially as
related above. Adjournment was
taken until o'clock at Coroner
Halves Office before arriving at a
verdict.
The verdict arrived at was that
Capt. j. Z. Hugunin came to his
death from the effects of heart dis
ease.
| a Prominent River Man.
Capt. Hugunin was a prominent
steamboat man. and was well liked
by all who knew him. Last season
he piloted the rafter 10 Long, and
prior to that held similar positions
with the Brother Jonathan j. X.
Graves and Weyerhauser. He
was member of the Upper
Mississippi Pilots association, and