Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1897-02-27
BEU TIERS MURDER
Inquest Conducted Before Justice
Frank R. Mar6elts.
SEVERAL WITNESSES EXAMINED.
Testimony Largely "A Narration OF
Facts Heretofore Published
Inquiry In Progress.


Bsutler, who was found dead In his
room in the rear OF 4s wost, South
Temple atreet on Thursday evening,
was begun shortly after ten O'Clock
this morning before Justice OF the
Peace Frank II. Margetls,of the Third
precinct.
The jurors sworn to hear tho case
were John II. Back, Joseph Bull Jr.
and John A. DeValley. They he'd
seen ami Examined the body OF the
deceased, and on being sworn they
were conducted to the scene OF the
homicide by the officers.
Joseph Morris was the nrst witness,
and eaid he had known Fred Beutler
two week., the length OF time the lat
ter had lived In the rear OF l43 west,
South Temple. OB Thursday night
about 5 O'Clock, or little after, as he
was eating supper he heard knock at
BeutleT's door and afterwards heard
two cries Of murder, and then scuf-
fie. He was afraid to 20 out the front
door, 30 propped 1t shut and
climbing through the window went
| TO the store near by and told the stole
keeper what he heard, aud then he
came back and with Mr.. Taylor,
Ow ner OF the property, went and tried
| Beutler's door ana could not open 1t
and all was quiet. In few minutes
two men came out OF the alley past
| him, but could not see their faces. He
thought the taller man was about
5 feet 10 inches in height, the other
three or four inches shorter, and wore
dark coats and hats.
Officer Shannon wsR next called and
stated that about Sis ms got word TO go
| to the place. Gu arriving the man
| with them said the door was locked,
hut they went on and oDoHed 1t aau
| found the body on the floor with his
hesd near the door with "a large cloth
stu FED in the mouth. The imprints Of
a mans hand were on his throat,
made with the right hRnd. He.had evl.
| IDENTITY lot 40 once anu took fresh
hold. The inside of his lower lip gave
| evidence OF having been forced opel,
the finger marks being visible. lhe
cloth filled his mouth and he had
probably been gagged with something
else; thought the rag was TO keep the
blood freIn raining uut OF hts mouth.
Captain Ealinger then TOOK The
stand and cofrDborated the eviJence
OF Oiilcer Shannon, and also that the
people said the door YVES locked bus
they found II WAS not, and on looking
for the door key found It on the sew-
ing machine near the door. Mrs.
Beutlsr told him that her statement to
the officers about MIR. Rice coming to
her house to inquire about Beutlsr
| was correct.
Officer shannon then stated that he
hal examined the rear OF the building
| where the tragedy occurred and founq
| footprints from Mr.. Morris's window.
but none from the deceased mans
| window.
Edward ID. Holt being called said he
| lived next door eouth Of Beuller's. The
plight in question Mr.. Taylor had &C.
cRsion to visit him and while there
they heard n sound as Though someone
| was sufiocating and then fall on the
floor. He supposed Beut!er's wife had
come aud they were qusrteiiDg.
| Previously he aud Beutler mad some
conversation and he told MIN that his
wife drank and sometimes went with
other men. A divorce was pending,
anu he had come there to keep away
from her as she wantedi to get
some property Uurniture) from
HIM. He asked witness not to tell
anyone where ne lived. He seemed
very much afraid Of aOme one. This
was Il week ago last Tuesday. When
talking with him there were no marks
on h!s lower hip, ae there wore alter
his death. Witness was impressed
with the Idea that he was IN Tear OF
receiving bodily harm, through his
vile. Had furnished his vile with
liquor.
Edward D. Holt Jr., was the next
called. Said that after eating supper
that night he went out OF the houte
and met Mr.. Beutler at the gate auu
they vent TO the door OF Beuiler's
houae and lit match, but he koy
was lot in the outside OF the
door and the door was locked. Went
back to the sidewalk and just then
TWO mon wearing dark ovefcoats came
out Of the alley anu went east.
Turned their faces away from witness
so that he could not see them distinct
ly, He thought they mad black pants
on, He followed them about nifty
wards away, anu seeing him following
them Increased their speet aud cut
across the street to the Valley House.
Ashley reached the saloon Oh the coz
uur the men turned around and he
thought they were dark complextoned.
They began running anu turned INTO
tho block Just south OF the Valley
House cottage, ana he lost sight OF
them there. The tall man had
moustachs and he thought the other
had. Thought they would weigh from
100 TO lT5 pounds. Had dark mats on.
Met woman at the Hampton house,
but did not meet any men. MI. FAIR
told witness Beutler had q gold watch
the night before.
Mrs. Elizabeth Ii. Mitchell was
then SWORD, and nt the request OF Mr..
| Van Colt MI. Mitchell was excluded
from the room while his WAC was
being examined.
Mis-. Mitchell said she lived at 62s
west North Temple street. Her
IN other Mrs. BsuIier, visited her on
Wednesday last. Mi. Rec had asked
her what her mothers address was,
saying q man wanted 10 see her, anu
wnen she asked her mother who
wanted her ans said IL WAS Rice him
self, anu tuat he wanted to know
whsre Mr.. Beutler lived, but shs
did not tell him because she did mos
know. Rics said ne wanted TO get su
umbrella mended. She asked her
mother II she thought Rice wanted to
| -, nm hr.ilaa msuupli. and told her