The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1896-02-13
PORTAGE Lake NeVS.
Inquest Held Over the
Remains of Daisy
CLAYTON.
Several Witnesses Examined.
one Witness Says ne Saw Clayton
Catch Daisy By the Throat and
Choke Her.

The death OF little Daisy Clayton, the
arrest OF the father, theapparent indifier-
ence OF Mrs. Clayton and all the many pc
euliar circumstances surrounding the
case, was the sole absorbing topic OF con-
versation on both sides OF Portage Lake
yesterday. Many stories OF the neglect
and cruelty OF the father we're current
aud If 1.-THE oithem were true heiseither
insane or loves cruelty with a brute's in
stinct
Drs. Wheeler and Scalon made thor
ough post norton examination OF the
remains yesterday morning. Their ex-
animation revealed that, outside OF the
possible finding OF poison in the stomach
or other organs, the poor child died OF
starvation. The external bruises,
though numerous, were none OF them
sufficient to cause death, but are corrob-
oratiye evidence OF the inhuman treat
ment the little girl had received. Besides
the bruises already noted on the head
and body. seven were discovered on the
scalp hidden outside by the HAIR. but
plainly showing when the scalp had been
dissected off the skull. Some inaamation
was discernible in the brain, but it may
have been OF old standing. All these
wounds or bruises are those made by a
blunt not sharp instrument. The rubber
hose filed with shot would make just the
kind Of wounds which appear. The
stomach and other organs will be
subjected to chemical analysis and until
the result of this is obtained the examin-
ing physicians give as their opinion star
walton the cause OF death. The body
was almost destitute OF blood and all the
organs, the brain especially, had an ex-
tremely unnourished appearance.
The inquest was begun at Justice
Brands court to 2 o'clock. The court
room was crowded. Ora. Wheeler and
Scallon testified as to the result OF the
post norton examination practically as
detailed above. Both physicians said
chat as far as they had gone their opin'
ion was that death was caused by ex-
haustion, induced by insufficient nourish.
nent. Both advised chemical analysis
of the stomach, liver and intestines.
The authorities, acting on the adyice oI
the physicians, adjourned the inquest
until Friday morning at 10 O'Clock
Should the analysis reveal traces OF pois
on there will be definite line OF action
Tor the officers TO work upon. Ii nc
poison is found then theresponsIbility fol
the neglect and abuse must be fastened
upon someone. The adjournment wal
the natural sequence OF the uncertainty
OF the two possible causes of death.
The position OF Mrs. Clayton il anoma
lous. She has certainly known OF thu
treatment the girl has received. It Il
said she accuses her husband OF being {
fugitive from justice. She is either equal
ly guilty with Clayton or is terrorizeC
by him. Clayton attributes the girl
death to her having taken quantity o
lemon and vanilla extract, but unde
what circumstances he. does not state
lie is kept secluded at the Jail and no on
| is allowed to see him.
4 number OF witnesses will testify a
the inquest as to Clayton's abuse O
Daisy during the family's residence il
Houghton. Among them are Georg
Butterfeld, j. b. Pieiffer, G.. Hartman
and one OF the well-known boys >aroun'
town named Hobbee. The latter wa
at the restaurant a lew days ago selIini
papers and he will swear he saw Clayto
catch little Daisy by the throat an
choke her.