Omaha daily bee., 1897-04-11
MAN PLUNGEs DOWN TO DEATH.
Fatal Injuries from Fall from the
Douglas street bridge.


Douglas street Bridge.
| Thomas Dinan is lying dead at the
| morgue as a result of a fall from the Doug
| las street bridge at an early hour yesterday
morning. So far as is known, he may have
been accidentally killed, he may have COM
! mitted suicide. or he may have been mur-
dered. The first theory seems to be the most
probable, however.
1t was at lis o'clock yesterday morning
that Watchman Pete Peterson of the Cady
Lumber company heard a man ascend the
| steps that lead from Douglas street to the
bridge. He heard footsteps on the plank
walk above his head He heard the cables
on the bridge rattle as if they were being
shaken. Then he heard thud as a heavy
body struck the ground not far behind him,
and then the groans of human being in
great agony.
Watchman Peterson was alarmed and sum
moned the assistance of Special Policeman
Mulhall, another watchman. The two groped
about in the darkness until they came upon
the body of man. The police were notified
and the man was removed to the police sta
tion, and later to Clarkson Memorial hospi-
tai, where an hour after he died. His leg
had been fractured in three places, he had
been badly bruised about the head and face
and he had been internally injured.
From letters found upon his person the
dead man was found to be Thomas Dnan.
He was % years of age and was a
brother of Mike and James Dinan, two
railroad men who reside in this city. He
was also a brother of Mrs. Fl. Hopkins of
3016 South Twenty-eighth street.
Investigation yesterday brought out the
fact that the dead man was unmarried, and
had been in the city but week. He came
here from Maquoketa, Ia, where he had
been employed with horse dealer Before
that he had worked for year in Boston
as groom. His home was in the southern
part of Massachusetts, His mother lives
there now. His father died two years ago
Since coming to the city, Dinan had been
living with his brothers. his sister or his
friends. Friday night he was at the residence
of his sister and had lunch. He left with
his brother James from whom he separated
at o'clock at the Union depot. The de-
ceased then Joined his brother Mike and
had dinner with him at 6:45 at the Union
Depot hotel. At that hour the two separated
and none of the relatives saw him alive after
that.
At o'clock Friday night Dlnan was in
disorderly house on Capitol avenue and spent
money there. He appears to have spent
the entire evening In the burnt district
Shortly after ~ O'Clock he was in Miller &
Dryers salOon and bought some drinks. He
left about 1890. A policeman saw him go
to Douglas street and then turn east. An
half hour later he was heard ascending the
Douglas street bridge He seemed to be in
toXcated
WatcnInan PETERSEN, Wafcnlnan MulHdll
and Ticket Agent Mike Ward on the bridge
are positive that they heard the footsteps
Of but one man ascending the steps These
footsteps were staggering and shufiling. as
II tho man was drunk. They all heard the
cables on the bridge rattle and heard the
thud when Dinans body struck the ground.
The theory OF suicide seems unreasonable.
Dinan did not have much money, but he
was not in want. He was offered money
by his brothers. but refused it and said he
had some. He had plenty of friends He had
just left employment. He was very cheer
full when last seen by hi1 relatives.
"Iie never committed suicide" said James
Dinan yesterday morning.
The friends hint at murder. They scout
tho idea Of suicide and do not think much
Of the theory Of accident. because they say
that the young man was not a drinker.
They can asn!gn no cause for murder how
ever. Dinan had no watch no jewelry.
He had but little mcney. 1t amounted to
only 81 or IS at the most. When he wao
picked up 10 cents was IN his pockets. He
had no other possessions, except some let
tero.
Tho police maintain that It was an acct
dent, brought about by intoxication. Dlnan
was in the burnt district from early In the
evening He spent his money for liquor He
was not drinking man and little was
enough to intoxicate him
A rumor was circulated yesterday that