The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1897-02-26
THE TOMAhONIS
INQUEST BEGUN.
Several Witnesses Tell Contradictory
Stories to the Jury.
ONE WITNESS HAS DISAPPEARED.
The Widow Of the Victim Refuses to Ap-
pear Before the Deputy Coroner--The
Investigation Has Been Con-
tinued TO Secure More
witnesses.

night opened the investigation into the
cause of the Injuries from which Thomas
Tomalonis died at the Miners hospital The
jury secured for the purpose is composed of
John scanlan, Joseph Il. Manley, James J
Powell, Patrick Conners, p J. Flaherty,
John J. Ready.
Deputy District Attorney NJ. p. Nc
Laughlin was present and conducted the ex-
animation OF the witnesses before the jury.
Martin Moore, the court stenographer, took
the testimony for the Commonwealth.
William Snyder and Matt. Kaparowitz, who
are charged with ha wing beaten the deceased
and infiicting the injuries from which he
died, did not appear at the inquest. The most
striking development at the inquest was an
apparent determination to shield the assail-
ants Of the deceased, whoever they may be.
More than one Of the witnesses told contradic-
tory stories before the jury, and none of them
testified with frankness. The evidence also
showed that very important witness has dis
appeared. Constable Matt. Giblon and special
officer Anthony Alex were sent after the
widow o, the deceased, but she refused to 90
to the Coroner's Office or elsewhere. She
has evidently decided to drop the case, which
is directly in contrast with her disposition
when the warrants were first issued for the
arrest of Snyder and Kaparowitz.
The first witness at the inquest was Dr.
W. N. Stein. He testified that between II
and IL o'clock on the night of Saturday
Dec 10Th, 1896, Thomas Tomalonis called
at his office. The doctor examined
his head carefully and found two
two scalp wounds. The man was covered
with blood. The wounds appeared to have
been made with stone. The mans hat was
cut through and there were marks of road
dirt on it. The doctor did not detect any
fracture of the skull at the time Tomalonis
was sent to the Miners hospital on the
DOCTORS recommendation because he
developed symptoms Of epilepsy. The doc
tor testified that the wounds he found on the
mans head would produce such symptoms
and that he had seen such wounds cause
death. The doctor and Chief Burgess Burns
took the man home. Tomalonis was able to
walk home but had to be led.
William Buskawiez, Of 236 East Centre
street, was called and testified that he was a
relative of Tomalonis and saw him in Joe
Vinekaitis house on Sunday, Dec. Goth, the
day after the assault. Tomalonis did not say
who attacked him, but Victor Washefski said
that William Snyder assaulted Tomalonis
Victor said that Tomalonis came in Snyder's
saloon and called for drink and didn't pay
for it, Snyder put Tomalonis out and Matt
Kaparowitz hit Tomalonis with stove
raker.
Victor Washefski was called and directly
contradieted the last witness. He said he
went to Mahanoy City at o'clock on the
night of December 18th. He did not tell
William Buskawicz that Snyder or Kara
powitz beat Tomalonis, but Buskawicz told
him that
Buskawiez again took the stand and swore
that in conversation somebody said that
Tomalonis was beaten by a woman Victor
Washefsl1i said, rs that so 2' and added in a
knowing way that Snyder put Tomalonis out
of the formers saloon and as the man was
/ going out the door way Matt Karapewit2
struck him over the head with a stove ralSer
William MOlonowsky was the most i'm.
portant witness at the inquest. He testified
| ION the night of December 10th l was
in Snyder's saloon, at about nine
o'clock / was there about ten min
utes and found Tomalonis there.
was a little drunk myself They com
menced quarreling about % cents Snyder
came from behind the bar aEd caught hold
of Tomalonis by the coat collar and arm and
twisted Tomalonis around Then SNYDER
gave up and went behind the bar and they
were drinking again. Afterwards we went
out l don't know Matt, Karapowitz. There
were about eight men in the place.
O. What was the trouble about the q
cents2
A. On account that Tamaonis didn't wan
to pay for the drinks. Snyder didn't pu
him out He only pushed him by the doc
and left him there. Nobody helped him tha
l saw. / didn't see anybody hit Tomaloni
on the head and / didn't see Tomaloni
bleeding didn't see anybody throw any
thing at him Tomalonis stood at the door ,
little while and then went out 1 have
brother named John. ] don't know wheu
he is He went away some place overa weel
ago. / didn't know he was going away.
know he has gone because he is not at hi
house. He was in Snyders saloon on thl
night Of the fight.
The witness explained his uncertaint,
about the proceedings during the fight in TIN
saloon, by a statement that he was pretty
drunk himself.
u Michael LenatOwicz, an East Centre stree
saloonkeeper was called and swore that h.
was not in Snyder's saloon nor did he SCI
Tomalonis at any time on Dec. 18th. He wa
at Tomalonis house after and Tomalonis sal,
that Matt Karapowitz had hit him with
poker OF something He didn't mention
Snyders name
William saduskey, the special officer wa
called and testified: 81 saw Tomalonis o
the night of Dec. 18th, between and /
} o'clock / met him at the corner of Mai
and Centre streets. He was covered wit
blood. / asked him what was the matter
He said he wanted to see a doctor. l too
him 10 DR.. STEMS He didn't tell me VIII
r hit him, but said it was at Snyder's. l hear
, talk about tho case after. Michael Lenat,
p wicz the saloonkeeper, told me that he sa'
William Abromaitis beat Tomalonis He sal
Tomalonis was thrown out Of the saloon an
he saw Abromaitis have Tomalonis down
the gutter and kick him.
Lenatowicz was again called to the stan,
In his previous testimony he had sworn thi
he did not see Tomalonis that night.
O. Did you see Abromaitis beating Tomi
lonis
A. No sir.
O. Did you say so to William Sadusky
A. Some people were standing ct Wychuli
saloon door and made an alarm that SOM
S body was fighting at Snyder's saloon.
j went from behind my bar and went to d
5 pavement. / stood there and saw them pusl
ing at the door There was a big crow
there. Maybe fifty people. 1 saw snyd'