The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-05-03
FOUND in A TUNNEL
BENEDICT BERTERMANN, OF THIS
CITY, KILLED IN PITTsBURG.
Was an Expert Builder of Engines
Body Terribly MangIed-PrOb-
ably an Accident.

Word was received last night of the acct
dental death, at Pittsburg. Pa, of Benedict
Bertermann. a brother of the indianapolis
florists of that name. The authorities at
Pittsburg were uncertain as to the identity
of the dead man and the coroner tele-
graphed last night to Superintendent Quig-
ley, stating that a man with letters in his
pocket addressed TO Benedict Bertermann,
Indianapolis, had been accidentally killed.
Although the information was meagre, Will
liam G.. Bertermann was certain that the
dead man was his brother. A letter was
found in his pockets from Vonnegut & Bohn.
the architects. of this city. To-day one of
the family will go to Pirtsburg.
Until two years ago Benedict Bertermann
lived here with his brothers. He was en-
ployed by the Atlas engine works and the
j. b. Alfree Company. He was an expert
in the manufacture of gas engineering ma
chinery. He went from here TO Philadelphia,
where he was employed by the Otto Gas En-
CINE Company. Some seven or eight months
ago that firm sent him to Colon, Germany,
to study details of the business. On his re-
turn TO this country he came here to visit
his family, and after a weeks stay left last
Friday morning for Philadelphia. While
here he negotiated with Vonnegut & Bohn,
architects of the new Deutsche Haus, for a
gas engine for the building. Last night Will
liam G. Bertermann telegraphed to Phila-
delphia to ascertain whether his brother
had arrived there and on receipt of a mega
tive reply was convinced the man killed in
Pittsburg was his brother.
Benedict Bertermann was unmarried. He
was thirty-nine years of age. John, Will
liam G.. and Edward j. Bertermann were
his brothers, and Mrs. Gertrude Pfeffer-
mann his sister. When he left here last Fri
day he was in the best of spirits, consider
ing his business prospects were so bright.
The family was very much shocked to learn
of his sudden death. They are unable to ac-
count for his being in Pittsburg, unless he
missed a train there or some contingency of
that sort prevented his going on to his des-
tination. Last night the family had not
learned the particulars of the brothers
death.
WAS TERRIBLY MANGLED.
A special to the Journal from P~ittsburg
says: THE mangled remains of a man sup
posed to be Benedict Bertermann, superin-
tendent of construction of the Otto Gas En-
CINE Company, of Indianapolis and Phila-
delphia, were found several hundred yards
in the tunnel of the Panhandle Railroad
duOuI % ClOCh tiliS dILeIHOOu, Dy a crew
on a relief train. Several theories are given
as to how the man met with death at this
spot. The police of this city are working or
the case.
THE tunnel extends underground half a
mile through the business part of the city,
one end reaching to the Union Depot. The
body was picked up several hundred feet
from the eastern entrance. BY its side a
satchel was found, together with blueprints
and drawings of q theater, showing the
names of the architects, Vonnegut & Bohn,
Indiana Trust building, Indianapolis. In the
satchel were also a number of letters ad-
dressed to Benedict Bertermann and one
contract signed by that person, in which
he agrees to work for two years for the
Otto Company as travelling superintendent.
THE clothing, although badly torn, was
of fine material. 1t was impossible to ascer-
tain the description of deceased because of
the terribly mutilated condition of the re-
mains. One leg was amputated and the face
is entirely gone. A railroad ticket, good
between Indianapolis and Philadelphia, was
also found in the clothes, together with a.
fine gold watch and chain, 81 in money and
a baggage check. 1t is presumed by the
coroner that the man stepped from the
train, supposing he had reached his destina-
tiOn