The San Francisco call., 1899-08-18
MUCH MYSTERY
ENVELOPS ]. v.
WALTON'S DEATH
Remains Found Float
ing in the Bay.
NO EVIDENCE OF FOUL PLAY
AUTOPSY PHYSICIANS SAY HE
WAS DROWNED.
Coroner's Jury Could Not Decide
Whether 1t Was Case of Sui
eide or Accidental
Death.
NO EVIDENCE OF FOUL PLAY
AUTOPSY PHYSICIANS SAY HE
WAS DROWNED.

OAKLAND, Aug. 17.-The waters of the
bay have given up another mystery which
has proved too deep for a Coroners jury
to unravel, and the indications point
somewhat to a murder preceded by rob-
berry.
The remains of a man believed to be
John w. Walton, late of Albuquerque,
N. M, were found floating in the bay
near Stewards boathouse, West Oakland.
this morning by young man named o.
Olsen. Coroner Mehrman was promptly
notified, and Deputy Coroner Joe Mottell
removed the body to the morgue. 1t had
been necessary for the deputy to wade
into the water some distance to where the
body was pounding upon the rocks. and
the head and face of the dead man had
been badly bruised, but the features were
quite recognizable. From appearances
the body had not been in the water long.
1t was that Of man of fine physique,
six feet in stature. full featured, with
dark brown mustache. clothed in a suit
of black diagonal clothes in good con-
dition.
In the pockets was found wallet OF
red leather containing visiting certifi--
cate from Fidelity Lodge. |. O. y. F., of
Gallup, n. M, showing that John w.
Walton was a member in good standing
on January "a, 1899. and was entitled to
draw 81 a week sick benefits and $50 fun
eral expenses. There was another certifi-
cate emitting the holder to obtain the
password from any lodge he desired TO
visit, also a receipt showing the subscrip-
ton paid to the Daily Citizen, published
at Albuquerque. n. M, and a bill of fare
of the steamship Corona, dated August
IL. There was also found a new memo~
randum book with morocco cover, bear
ing the address of John w. Walton,
2131-2 West Railroad avenue, Albu-
querque. n. NJ" Four nickels were all
the money found.
Whether the man was murdered, COM
mitted suicide or met death accidentally
the jury at the inquest was unable TO de-
termne. Young Olsen testified to the
discovery of the remains, and aside from
him the. only witnesses We're Deputy Cor
oners Mottell and Quellan and DR.. j. L.
Milton. who asserted positively that death
had been due to drowning. Wounds on
the dead mans head were declared super
fetal, and no broken bones had been noted
by the doctor who had examined the
corpse carefully. The jury accordingly
brought in verdict of death by drown
ing, but whether the result OF suicidal
intent or from accident we are unable to
determine from the evidence produced.
From the bill of fare found IL is evident
that the dead man had been a passenger
on the steamer Corona, and in view OF the
absence of money or vaiuables the theory
prevails that Walton, if it be he, was
robbed and thrown into the bay, while
others hold the opinion that the scarcity
of funds fortifies the suspicion that Wal
ton had become respondent from lack of
finances and ended his life. The Odd Eel
lows of this city have now taken tempo
rary charge of the remains, awaiting or,
ders from the secretary of the New Mex
leo lodge a to its disposal.