The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-09-11


ALBERT OVERTON,
G. w. HERSCH,
H. R. ACHENBACH,
G. E. DUNN,
JOHN CARTER.
This was the verdict of the jury at
noon today at the coroner's inquest at
DeMOss & Penwell's morgue over the
body Of William Van Derlip, the man
whose body was found living in 2 cl1lmD
of brush about 100 feet east of the San
ia F'e railroad bridge, and on the south
bank of the KaW river. Ed MiSchke of
III East Second street, and two boy
companions, Leo KiSer and Arthur
Wicks, discovered the man lying there
and they reported it to the police
Sergeant Ellison and Detective Zeller
went to the place in the patrol wagon
and found VanDerIip lying on his back
with his head slightly turned to the
right. His legs were drawn up some
what and between his feet lay a Fore
hand Arms company 50 caIibre revol-
yer. The revolver had a paWnShOp tag
on 1T and upon investigation it was
found that it had been purchased of
Palne Brothers, the pawn brokers, yes
terday morning a little after 8 o'clock.
There We're four cartridges in it, one of
which had been discharged. A bullet
wound on the right side of the head a
little over the ear told the story. Blood
was OOzing from the wound and the
expression on the face was that of
agony Sergeant Ellison searched
clothes and found several letters and
papers which Identified him beyond a
doubt to be William VanDerIip Jr a
farmer living five miles west of Car
bOndale. The sergeant found in the
pockets $2110 and a gold watch and
chain. Later $8.05 was found in one of
the trousers pockets.
Coroner Westerf1eld was notified and
he arrived and viewed the body, order
ing its removal to the DeAIOss & Pen
well mOrgue.
TPlperr-a m xz7aY.o ear+ 4t,o
brother of the suicide near Carbondale
and they arrived last night.
NanDeFhp came with his sister to To-
peka Wednesday morning. having driv-
en- a team. Wednesday afternoon he
told his sister that he had some bust
ness to attend to and asked her to
urlVe nome ana would return on the
train thursday morning. VanDerIiD
paid the taxes on a lot he owned in
topeka to County Treasurer Stahl the
latter noticed that he had been drink
ing. Later in the day he was seen in
the vicinity of First and Madison
streets considerably more intoxicated.
Mrs. Laura RidOut, cOlOred, says that
ne came to her restaurant at First and
Madison streets Wednesday evening
and offered her SO if she would lend
him a revolver. Later he offered her $50
saying that he had trouble with his
wife and that he was going to kill him
self Early Thursday morning he went
to the house of VIM. Jackson, colOred
10 Jefferson street. and told him that
going to kill himself. He showed Jack
son a revolver-the one purchased of
Paine Bros.
This was about o'clock. The bows
who found the body say that about 9
o'clock or soon afterward they heard a
shot fired in the vicinity of the Santa
Fe bridge. but did not pay any atten-
tiOn to it because it is a common thing
for people to be firing guns there A
little after o'clock they We're fishing
there near the bridge and found the
body.
At the inquest held this morning DR.
L NJ. Powell performed an autopsy
and his testimony proves that the shot
was fired by Van DeTlip and that he
died instantly The bump on the fore
head was caused by the bullet, which
fractured the skull and allowed the
blood to collect under the skin and give
the appearance of a bruise. This dark
cOlored swelling at first led some to
think that foul play had been commit
ted.
Mrs. Julia Ridout, the colored woman
who saw VanDerIip Wednesday even
ing said: He ate supper at my place
He started to cry and said: I've got a
good wife, but I will never see her
again. She abused me this morning.
am going to kill myself. III give you
$40 if you will give me a pistol. I've got
money enough in my pocket to bury me
decently.' Just as he went out of the
door he said: you'll never see ne
again. Look in the papers in the morn
ing and you'll find my death He
wanted me to give him some rat poison,
but I wouldn't That man wasn't out
of his senses. He had been drinking.
though
VIM. Jackson of 10 jefferson street
said: He came to my house yesterday
morning and said: I was out last night
having a large time, and I'm hungry
I gave him a cup of coffee, but he only
drank part of it. Then he said: I
and my wife have had lots of trouble
since I saw you. It's the first time we
ever fused, but il will be the last time.
Yes, I'll go home. but it will be in a
box This was about 9 o'clock in the
morning, as near as can tell
Mrs. VanDerlip was put on the stand
and said she could not believe that her
husband had been drinking. She said
L think he had between $50 and $50
with him when he left home. No, sir;
we have had no trouble at all. None in
the least. I urged him not to start to
Topeka Wednesday morning on ac-
count of the rain He seemed to be
happy.
He has never been intoxicated since
we were married five years ago. It
seems almost impossible at this time.
He drank a good deal when he was a
boy. but he reformed and Joined the
church.
Edward VanDerlip. a brother of the
deceased, gave about the same testi-
mony as did Mrs. VanDerlip. He is of
the opinion that his brother was foully
dealt with, but gives no reason on
which to base his conclusion To a
Journal reporter, he said: