The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-02-19

Notwithstanding that the coroner
jury found that Lawrence P
Brown came to his death b.
gun-shot wound. inflicted b.
person unknown. with feloni
Gus intent to take the life of him
the said Lawrence Peter Brown, on tn,
10Th day of February, 1895" it is pos
sible that the deceased took his OWL
life after all.
AL along Detectives Raleigh and
Sheets and Deputy Sheriff Burt have
intuitively been forced to the conclu-
sion that the murder theory was unten-
able. and with equal persistency have
they maintained in their consultations
that if the full facts could be revealed
it would be a self-evident case
of suicide. Every circumstance
tending to support the theory
of robbery and murder was
applicable, in the estimation of the Of
ficers. to the self-destruction theory,
only there was the very essential ele-
ment of a motive to make the chain of
| circumstances complete and convincing.
| With all the energy and tact character
! istic OF them, the three officers named
have pursued every semblance of a
clue to the motive prompting Brown to
Kill himself. but not until yesterday
| did they succeed. The revelations are
very strong, and lead the officers at
| least TO believe that Brown was not
murdered by robbers, but that he COM
mitted suicide to end his remorse, and
to cover up inevitable exposure of the
fact that he had been victimized in a
green goods" bunco deal. 1t is a re-
markable story, but nevertheless true.
SOME INCONSISTENT ClRCUM-
STANCES.
There were so many inconsistent links
and irreconcilable circumstances in the
robber ard murder theory that Detec-
tiVeS Sheets and Raleigh and Deputy
Sheriff Burt began exploiting for some
thing tangible in the direction of prob
able suicide. and with every step ad-
vanced new light penetrated the mys-
terry. The officers reasoned that if it
were case of robbery. the victims
pants pockets would not likely have
been rified so near the head of the
bed. and that being awakened, the pill
lows, under which Brown kept his pis-
toll. would surely have shown a hasty
action in reaching for his gun, but
they were surprisingly fiat and undis-
turbed. The keys were in an incon-
OCANdbiC pace, dilu IL was reasoned That
the deceased could have broken the
glass above the front door lock to
strengthen the suspicion of rob-
berry. The hour after a.
m. was deemed to be most unusual
and inOppOTtune, SO many people being
then up and around, for the commission
of such a crime and escape without de-
lection. Brown was undoubtedly shot
with his own gun. If his gun had been
wrested from his hands by the robber
from under or behind the counter, the
murderer would surely have taken it
with him to help make good his escape.
A murderOus robber, the officers be-
lieved. would not leave a gun that had
been thrown down by his victim and
take chances Of being shot while es-
Gaping. Then, again, the officers saw
1t was the most plausible thing mag
Unable for Brown to shoot himself and
drop the gun at his feet first. how
ever, shooting at the door frame to
strengthen the belief of murder. as he
doubtless intended. The meagre evil
dence of some one having been seen
driving hastily away from the grocery
store just after the shooting was NOT
satisfactorily supported. These are
merely set forth as the theories held /
by the officers, and which they now, for .
the first time. make public
The knowledge of these facts and (
many other adverse incidents, moved |
the officers to locate motive to sus- !
tain the theory of suicide.
INTEREST IN GREEN
GOODS.
1t was known that Brown was truth
full and frank in relating his own af-
fairs to his intimate acquaintance.
There was, however, one exception and 4
that pertained to his statements rela-
tive to his recent trip to New York.
To several of his close friends he stated
with an air of mystery, that he was
going to New York with four men on a
deal. but he did not tell the
same story to all alike.
Less than a month ago John Meal
lister, the young man who worked in
Browns store, was told several times
by his employer about the money there
was to be made in handling green
goods" or counterfeit paper money,
and that men usually took big chances
IF arrest for engaging in such a bust
ness that yielded enormous profits. !
Brown frequently ent rtained tn you h
With recitals pertaining TO the green
goods" business.
The always frank and truthful Brown
suddenly became secretive and decep-
i've. He left alone FOR New York on
Feb. 2, taking with him over. 81 500 in
IOlu. Inc nature or MS Visit and his
can easily be surmised
when the reader learns of later events
hat have come to light.
HIS BRIEF TRIP TO NEW YORK.
He returned in nine days, arriving
,ome on Friday morning last at an
.arly hour. He was at his store bright
md early, but he appeared considerably {
Il at ease. Young McAllister related TO
lis employer that many bills for sup
)lieS had come in, but that the sales
lad been insufficient to pay them. The
rusty young clerk turned over all
money on hand to Brown. The much
,erturbed Brown remarked that he
would be able TO pay up everything
when his valise came but that he (
lad no money with him. He added that ! 1
lie could hardly wait for his grip.
HE EXPECTED vALIsE DELIv-
Erred.
Brown went to the Pacific Express '
flee Friday forenoon, exhibited a re-
eipt and inquired for his valise 1t I
vas not there, and the suggestion was {
fered that probably the grip came by I
he other line. The storekeeper re- s
aired TO the d. & r. G.. Express office
nd there learned that the expected i
elise had come. 1t was on the wagon
nd would be delivered to him In the
fternoon the valise was delivered at
is store. and Brown. with evident /.
lee, but apparently fearful of some !
proceeded to open it. i