The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-04-08
IS II A CASE OF SUICIDE {?
Body OF an Unknown Man Found 10 a
Field on the West Side--HOle
Through the Head.

The lifeless remains of an unknown
man, probably suicide, were found
yesterday morning about $50 o'clock
in a field on the McKeever farm, which
runs from North Main avenue back to
IIeYser avenue, between Pettebone
street and the old Dram farm. The
ghastly discovery was made by John
SlaclIo a farm hand for p. d. Rhodes,
who is running the McKecver farm.
Jtp to q late hour last night the body
had not been identified.
The man noticed the prcstrate form
early in the morning when he went
up to that part of the farm to dis
tribute fence rails, but thinking it was
some one who had come there in the
night to sleep Oft the effects of too
much strong drink. he took no further
notice. Just before noon, however, he
thought he would wake the fellow up.
Imagine his horror, when he went
close to the body to see revolver.
| blood and a ragged hole on each side
| of the mans head. showing the course
of the bullet. He shook the body which
| lay at full length partly on the right
side No response came and Slacko
went on down to dinner and casually
remarked to his employer, Mr. Rhodes,
and his son, George, that there was a
man dead up in the field"
The Rhodes, father and son, hasten
ed to the spot and then notified the
police Word was sent to headquar-
ters and Patrolman Lowry who is on
| day duty on the West Side, was noti-
fed to go up and take charge until
the coroner arrived, he having been
| also notified.
Long before Coroner Longstreet ar
rived several hundred persons gath
cred and one woman, who would not
| give her name to the officer. said she
thought it was +. c. Brockway, of 64l
| Iressler court. The coroner, too,
thought the resemblance was very
| close, and it might possibly be the
man. The police found Mr.. Brockway
at his home later in the day alive and
| well.
The following jury was empan-
elled by the coroner: Patroman
Thomas Lowry, A. j.. Norhis, David
Williams, Bertron Evans, William
Hitchings and c. II. Derby. No other
marks of violence were found and the
coroner gave permission for the re-
mains to be removed to Prices under
taking establishment on South Main
avenue, to await Identification.
From the surroundings the man must
have gone into the field some time
between o'clock and midnight. He
must have held the muzZle of the re-
volver close to the head for the hair
is singed.
There were no indications of a strug-
gle and death must have been instan-
taueous. Everything points to a sui
eide and the body must have lain there
Tor at least eight hours before discov'
cry.
The dead man was Of powerful build
He is six feet one inch and built large
He should weigh about 225 pounds
His face is full and pleasant looking
A heavy sandy moustache was worn
otherwise he was smooth-shaven
Slightly bald in front, his hair is sandy
colored and tinged with gray. His agi
is about 40 years. The BODY was
clothed in a mixed suit, black cheviot
coat and vest and striped dark gray
pants He wore a white shirt, collar
and a made-up dark tie. The shoes, q
heavy pair of laced ones, were com
paratiYely new. on the person only
small pocket knife; two keys
an ordinary key and a Latch
key; white handkerchief and
about eighteen cartridges for tht
revolver The weapon itself was c
3S-calihre, American bulldog type, five
chambered. The fifth contained tn
shell of the exploded cartridge which
brought quick death.