Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-01-31
RESULTS IN DEATH.
Fred Neuman's Accident in the
Court Yard.


Court Yard.
QUESTION AS TO HIS IDENTITY.
An Invoics Of His Pefsoeal Effects Proves
Him the Posssssor Of Three DiAsrent
Names and Of IN Unsettled Nature rels-
gram Sent to . Supposed Sister.
Death came to Fred Neuman at St.
Anthony's hospital at 7:SO last even
ing as consequence of his accident
in the court yard yesterday, in which,
as related yesterday. he sustained a
fractured skull aside from less seri-
Gus injuries.
There now develops aquestion con-
corning the Identification of the un-
fortunate man which may be cleared
up by: telegram forwarded last
evening by Contractor c. J. Larkin,
of the court house construction, to
Miss Elizabeth Neuman. at Newark,
N. j., supposed to be his sister.
This address was obtained from an
old worn diary belonging to Neuman
and found at his boarding place at
Mrs. Glass residence on Second ave-
nue.. The diary contains q large
number of addresses extending all
over the world, many of them being
in England and Australia, where, it
appears. Neuman was we'll acquaint-
ed and apparently resided at differ
ent times. In the memorandum was
also recorded each place where the
deceased had been employed. how
long. and the occasion for his
leaving that particular place. II. in
the absence of railroad fare and ina
bility to get free transportation, he
was forced to walk ties, he made q
record of the fact, and the diary
shows that he footed it more than
once. Neuman was of roaming dis
position and it appears made use OF
three different names-but why re-
mains mystery.
Calls Him 'Dear Brother"
But in searching further into his
personal effects Contractor Larkin
unearthed large leather wallet in a
coat of the dead mans hanging in a
back room of the contractors office
in the court yard. Among several
communications was one from
Springfield, o.. bearing the date
of 1887 and in which the writer,
John +. Witty. addresses Neuman
as "dear brother" and makes q slight
reference to family affairs and urges
the latter to come home. In another
letter from John F. Witty bearing
date of 1892, Neuman is not ad-
dressed SO affectionately, but re-
ceives sort of upbrafding for some
cause not referred to and is cody
informed that his mother has been
dead and buried for over a year.
Neuman had also weathered the
ocean for several years as sailor.
two documents showing him to have
been honorably discharged at Lon
don in the sos. On one vessel he
was employed at Auckland, New
Zealand. and on the other at London.
In each document he gives the name
of Thomas Russell, place and date OF
birth New York, 1858. He also car
ried recommendations from masters
OF sailing vessels on which he had
been employed, in which they highly
regarded him as q sober, faithful,
and trustworty and obedient man
and excellent sailor. There were
also several letters from different
contractors who highly recommend
the man in the name of Neuman.
And thereby hangs a mystery as
TO who he really was.
An Inquest.
Deputy Coroner l.. v. Eckhart con-
Quoted an inquest over the remains
at c. r. Wheelan's undertaking
rooms with the assistance of Jury
composed of j. j. Roach. j. H. Gle.
land, H. S. Case, w. l.. Ludolph, H.
Detjens and Frank Wivill. A verdic,
in accordance with the facts was
returned, fellow-workmen testifying
that Neuman's accident was through
his own fault.
Neuman landed in Rock Island last
August and secured employ ment on
the court house work. He had his
failings but nevertheless was q good
workman. Contractor Larkin fears
since discovering that the man had
assumed names that he has not com.
municated with the right parties.
Neuman's body is at Undertaken
Wheelan's and if no answer comes
today Mr.. Larkin will order . burial.
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