Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-12-27
h Looks SUSPICIOUS.
MAN FOUND DEAD IN BELLAIRE
UNDER PECULIAR CIR
CUMSTANCES.
WAS STANDING ON HIS HEAD
with His Feet In the Afr-Lingered
All Day and Died Last Night.
Els Lower Limbs Frozen, and
His Skull Fractured-A Well
ing the Cause of His Death.

Yesterday morning about eight
o'clock, as some of the workmen at the
Bellaire steel works were passing over
the trestle leading to the stock build
ing, they saw a man below them with
his head on the ground and his limbs
straight above him, supported by some
of the timbers of the trestle. The men
hurried down and lifted the man from
his position. Finding that he was still
living, he was taken to the Office Of
DR.. Winesinger, and the doctor. upon
examination, found the back part of
the skull broken and partially crushed;
also some of the bones broken on one
side of his face. His hands were frozen
and his limbs also, nearly 10 his knees.
The doctor dressed the unfortunate
mans injuries and he was taken to the
city building and placed on cot in the
city hall. The doctor said he could
only live few hours. He was recog-
nized by the officers, his name being
Marion Metcuf, a brother of John Met
cJIf, the well known shoemaker of Bel
laire. Mr.. Metcuf's home is at George
town, about ten miles out the B. & 0.
road, and he had been working at Rob
inson's brickyards, of Bellaire, having
lived there about two years, coming
from Hartford City, w. Va, where his
wife is at present visiting friends. His
two sons, who live with him at his
home, were notified; also his brother
in the city. One son and his brother
came, but no move was made to remove
the poor man to any residence.
The night before the colored people
had given a ball in the room at the
city building, and its condition can cas-
lily be understood, and in this place Mr..
Metcuf breathed his last at $50 o'clock
last night, never speaking or becoming
conscious. with fey people who
through kindness watched over him
through the day and night
The mayor, marshal and police were
almost continually at his side. Moth
ing could be done, only to watch over
the body until nature exhausted itself.
The frost coming out Of the frozen
limbs dropped on the floor and soon
made little pool of water. His eyes
were closed and black, his nose badly
bruised and mouth open, and in all it
presented sad sight for one to die in
this manner and surroundings.
Mr.. Metcuf was at one time pros
porous farmer, but had met with several
reverses. He had many friends in this
city, and was we'll and favorably known
at Hartford City, his former home. He
was the father of four sons, two being
married and two single.
His peculiar death and how he came
to be in such a position, is a mystery
yet to be solved. He was last seen
about six o'clock Monday evening on
Belmont street. The point where he
was found is in a directly opposite d.
rection from his home. He was in no
way connected with any of the works
at the steel plant, and would have no
business in that part of the city in
which he was found. The trestle is
about forty feet high, the ties being so
close together that man could not fall
through, and there is much comment
that he met his death by foul means,
and the matter will be thoroughly in
vestigated. The only explanation that
could be given is that he was trying to
climb up the timbers and slipped, fall
ing in the position found. This theory
seems almost improbable, and his death
and cause for same will most likely
never be learned.