The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-09-23
TWAS JUST AN ACCIDENT
Reason to Believe There Was
Foul Play in the Case.
DEATH OF JOHN w
No Stock Need Be Taken in h Suicide
Theory-Testimony of the Wit
nesses at the Coroner's In
quest-They All Agree.

A mild sensation was sprung at the
coroner's inquest, which was he'd last
evening. on the body Of John Mowrn, The
miner who was killed "Wednesday m the
Diamond mine by being crushed between
the cage and wall plates while trying to
get off the cage after the signal % hoist
had been given. 1t developed from the
testimony that certain friends of Mowrn
suspected that foul play had played a part
i'm his death. but there was nothing what
ever to warrant the suspicion. The theory
was blasted by DIR. Louis Bernhcim, who
was employed by one of Towns friends
to perform al autopsy, and who testified
that there was absolutely no ground for
the suspicion. Neither was there any
other good testimony adduced to indicate
that Mowrn's death was due to anything
hut his own fault. The coroner apparently
took no stock i'm the theory of some that
Mowrn threw himself in deaths way with
suicidal design, as he made no inquiry in
that direction. AT the conclusion Of the
inquest the jury rendered a verdict de-
claring the death was accidental.
DR.. Louis Bernheim was the first wit
ness called. He stated that he performed
"A post norton examination at the request
of one Stoudher, who had come to him
and stated that he had suspicion of
foul play. Stoudher had stated to the wit
ness that he had a suspicion that there
had been "A fight i'm the cage and that
Mowrn had been murdered. After a thor
ough examination of the wounds how
ever. the witness considered IL impossible
for a man To have inflicted them. Dcscrib-
ing the injuries to substantiate his con-
clusion, the witness said the bones had
been broken by "A great force. The upper
iawbone was broken as straight as
though done by a saw. There is no doubt
the man was killed by accident conclud-
ed the witness.
John Gully. the shift boss. under whom
Mowrn worked. said he found Mowrn sit
ting down while on duty and discharged
him. Mowrn went out to the station To 20
on top and the acctdent which caused his
death happened.
William ". Ledukc Is employed AZ the
m and was the partner of the de-
ceased. The shift boss came around ana
found Muwrn sitting down and discharged
him and he left to go on top. The witness
knew nothing of any dispute or trouble
between the deceased and anyone I'm the
mine.
con Ryan. one Of the station tenders,
said he and his partner found Mowrn at
the 1000. and he said he wanted to 20 to
the surface. He got aboard the upper
deck. and when he sgid he was all right
the signal to hoist enough to allow of the
loading of the lower deck was given. All
| OF a SulltH NltN .Atl'h " N'A WI w.
ness and his partner yelled 10 him to
stay on. but he paid no attention and was
caught between the floor of the upper
deck and wall plates. There was no one
else on the station with Mowrn when the
cage came down. and no one but witness
and his partner saw the tragedy. Witness
knew If no reason for the man to want to
get off. as he had left nothing behind.
Frank ConlcF. the other station tender,
said he and his partner stopped at the
loo and Mowrn was waiting there ana
said he wanted to go on top. lie got on
the upper deck and witness asked II nc
was ready. He said he was and witness
rang to hoist the rage on the chairs,
Mowrn made a break to get of and got
caught Witness rang to stop and the
cage was lowered anu he and his partner
took Mowrn off the Gag Witness tried "a
push Mowrn back when he tried to get
off. but the cage went up too quick. do
you know of any reason why the deceased
should have wished to get off the cage?
asked Inspector Byrne.
Il do not. lie had his lunch bucket and
had left nothing. and | don't know why
he wanted to get on. was the reply.
Foreman Joseph McGinnis was on the
200 when ne was notified that a man had
been killed at the 1000. He went up and
found Mowrn lying on the floor of tht
station dying. lie thought the man mus
have been crazy, or that something mus
have been the matter with him. Asked II
he knew Of any reason for Mowrn wish
ed to get off. witness said he remarked Il
the station tenders that Mowrn must have
forgotten something, but learned that M
had his lunch bucket, and no signs of his
having forgotten anything could be found
Timothy Warren, the engineer who wa'
on duty told how he operated the engine
and said he took the cage up very grad
uaIly. II was out Of the question for th'
deceased to have been jorked off, al
this particular engine would not take 4
cage away quickly enough for that.
Mine Inspector Byrnc testified To inves
tigating the accident. In his opinion thu
accident occurred as described by the sta
ton tenders. and he did not, from his In
quiry. believe there was any foul play h
connection with the death.
The jury returned the following verdict
That the deceased came To his death OF
Sept. q. 1895. in the Diamond mine. Butte
Mont. and from the evidence In the case
we find that the said death was acCiden
tai and find that no blame should attaCl