The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1896-09-30
Death Was Accidental.
Above Verdict Was
Returned at the
Inquest.
Cause Of the Fire IL Unknown
Eve shot out-ur. w. n. Pau
eetI Declines.

The Jury empaneled by Coroner Mac
donald TO inquire into the death OF tn
late Henry Riska, who was burned in III
fire in Phillips barn, at Renova last Mon
day morning, re-convened at Mr.. ,Maedon
AIDS Office yesterday afternoon. to heal
further testimony in the case. The only
thsman who had the trouble with Riska
during the day, and whom Mr. Phillip.
supposed he met coming out OF the barn
Immediately after the fire. His testimony
had tn be taken through an interpreter
and was all in answer 10 direct questions
by Prosecuting Attorney Streeter, Mr..
Phillips and the jury. In iull, it was az
follows
IL have been here three years and four
months and worked in Bollmann & camp,
i have worked for Mr.. Bollmann a little
over year. ! became acquainted with
the deceased, Henry Riska, last Saturday
night, when Imet him at Toms House, at
Kearsarge. | saw him in Phillips saloon
about 10 a. m, SUNDAY and we were
there all day together. do not remem-
Der what time of night it was when
went out, but il was quite dark. Riska
was then left sitting in the saloon on the
left side OF the door at table. did not
see him after that. When left Phillips
| went to Messner's saloon and when |
left there intended TO 60 10 my home at
Fulton. | was quite drunk and laid
down TO take rest near a candy store
and slept there. / woke up from a crack
ing noise and. when I.opened my eyes saw
the building was on fire and went over
to look at it and did not see anyone
until Mr.. Phillips came, and soon after
ward, Others. | never was inside the
barn, said nothing TO Mr. Phillips and
spoke to some other Firms, after the
crowd had gathered and passed some
remarks about the fire. | reached Full
ton about O'Clock in the morning and
stopped at a certain house and had coffee
for three hours and reached my home at
Z o'clock. Ii was Jack Hustelo's house
and told him about the fire. had no
trouble with Riska, but discussed election
matters and | did not threaten him harm.
| did not threaten TO kick him in the
head and cannot remember whether |
threatened him or not. was pretty
much drunk. | did not go out into the
wagon. do smoke, but do not recollect
whether lighted my pipe or not. do
not know how much money Riska had,
but he paid for treats. can talk little
English and used some in the saloon in
discussing politics and said
but did not apply it to Riska any more
than any of the Others present.
81 cannot recollect trying to take hold
oil Rska and shaking him. | saw Phil
lips standing on bis porch and was
then on the other side OF the road.
l was not near the side door of the barn,
but near the door facing theroad. saw
Phillips, but did not pass him until
went toward the saloon, when Phillips
was on bis way TO the barn. There were
two Others down from camp with me,
but not in Messner's and did not go
home with me. don't know how to
get N the rn by the side door. don't |
recollect having any billiard cue or max
ing any threats about chopping men
down liSe trees, went into Messner's
by the front door and am sure | went
there from Phillips. / don't remember
OF being put out Of Messner's."
The man was piled with numerous
questions by the attorney and members
OF the jury, but did otchange in any i'm |
portant detail Of bis actions. His testi.
mony conflicts very strikingly with that
OF the other two witnesses. The iury
after some elaboration returned the fol |
lowing verdict
I'VE, the jury, ind that the deceased,
Henry Riska, came 70 bis death accident.
ally in a FIRE which destroyed the barn OF
John Phillips, at Renova, on the % b
day OF September, 1896. Cause of fire
unknown"