The record-union., 1895-07-08
He Was MURDERED And ROBBED.
Terrible Fate of Old Man Juan
0relIana.
A River Front Tragedy That Serves to
Rank With That of the
Webers.

As had been suspected, it turns out that
| old Juan Orellana. the Chilean steam boat
watchman, has been foully murdered and
robbed. His body, bearing ax-cuts about
the head, was recovered from the river on
Saturday, and the CHASTITY evidence Of
another foul crime now lies at the morgue.
The old man had been preparing to
celebrate the Fourth OF July, and started
In drinking early in the weak. He was
seen about the rivor front saloons on
Tuesday night, aud few persons say
they saw him early on Wednesday morn
ing, but the general impression is that he
was murdered some time on Tuesday
night.
On Saturday one of the river steamers
while coming up to the city. churned up
the water SO vigorously by it's paddle
wheel that the body was brought to the
surface and secured, and Coroner Clark
/! notified, who had the body taken from
the river.
1t was then discovered that the old man
had been made the victim of murderous
thugs. y colored handkerchief was tied
around his mead, and had been used to
either bllndtOid gag him-probably the
latter. Just over his right temple was a
/
ak or hatchet, and another on the left
jaw.
His clothing was partially loosened
from the body, and the right pocket OF his
trousers turned inside out. The lett
pocket had evidently not been moiested,
as 1t contained twenty tive cents in silver
and some keys.
Orellana had been in the habit of Sleep
ing on the steamer Varuna, his hour for
retiring being about daylight. Having
! been drinking on Tuesday night, it is
supposed he retired earlier than usual,
and that he was followed by the mur-
derers. Ills bedding, hat and coat were
found on the steamer, while on a barge
alongside was found his empty purse.
A n AK is missing from the steamer, and
II Is supposed that after they had killed
the old man his murderers threw it into
the river.
W hlle making the rounds of the river
front saloons on Tuesday night the old
man foolishly exhib bited about 500, and
thus attracted the attention OF some OF
the thugs that frequent that locality.
lie had habit OF displaying his money
when under the influence OF liquor, and
this habit once before got him into
trouble, he having been knocked down
and robbed one night few years since.
one of the men suspected of having had
hand in that JOB has lately been seen
about the water front, ana it is not un-
likely that he is one OF "Old Johns"
murderers.
1t was thought yesterday morning that
clue had been found to the murderers.
and that perhaps one of them was in
custody.
a Chilean living along the river front
found that his boat had been stolen by
three men. He armed himself with a
gun and pursued them, overtaking them
at Sntterville. When they saw him they
ran, but he pursued one of them, ar
rested him and put him in charge of a
Constable.
He found blood in his boat, and also
the pair OF oars that the murdered man
was wont to use, and thought he had
probably captured one of the murderers.
On beiug confronted with the parties who
had noticed men watching the old man,
the prisoner proved not to be one of the
suspects. He will, however, be tried for
stealing the boat.