Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1900-08-19

The body of man believed to be
Emil Mettler, from Baltimore, Nd,
was taken from the river at McMechen
yesterday morning about half past
Ill and it is evident that he was
drowned at Benwood, because Of the
fact that suit Of clothes, other wear
ing apparel and satchel were found
few hours previously lying on the
river bank below the ferry landing
at this place. A careful investigation
was made by the authorities, but it
cannot be determined as to whether it
was case of suicide or accidental
drowning.
The clothes, which were found below
the Benwood ferry float about Z o'clock
in the morning by John Gately, con-
sisted of a coat, vest and trousers of
black material, a soft brown hat, a
pair of socks, a pair of shoes, an I'M
dershirt, and an outing shirt The
clothing was on the bank and the va
lise in the water. Mr.. Gately notified
the police, and an investigation was
Immediately begun. Two letters were
found in one of the coat pockets. Both
were written from Baltimore, respect
lively under the dates of July II and
August 20, and bore the signature of
Albert Nagel. The first letter was ad-
dressed to "Frilna Mettler," and con-
tanned the following: Enclosed find a
check for one hundred dollars. If you
need more let me know. If you are
not well come LONE. We will expect
you home by the middle of August.
Please answer as soon as you can"
The second letter was addressed to
Dear Emil and was, in part, as
follows: Received your answer from
my letter. Was very glad to hear that
you are better. Come East Expect
to see you soon. Your sister is home
sick to see you. l hope you will be
better in health"
The Benwood authorities reported
the case to the neighboring towns and
1t was not until about noon that it was
rendered less mysterious by the dis
coyery of a floater in the river at Nc
Mechen. The body was caught on a
trout line belonging to Grant Kellar
and James Keffer, who were out fish
ing at that point. The boys drew it to
the bank and Coroner Henry Riddle
was notified. The mans remains had
only an undershirt on and apparently
had not been in the water very long
Blood was oozing from his mouth, but
there were no marks on the body in
dicating that foul play had probably
been committed. He had black hair,
streaked with gray, and appeared to
be about so years of age.
Those who saw the body identified it
as that of man whom they had seen
walking along the river bank at Ben
wood Friday. 1t is said that he acted
very peculiarly and seemed to be in
sane, as he would pause occasionally in
his walks and gaze intently into the
water. He carried a satchel, and sew
eral persons were inclined to think
that he was a detective 1t was in
ferred from the letters found on the
clothing that his name was Emil Met
tier, as one is written to Frilna Met
tier and the other to Dear Emil.
An inquest was held yesterday after
noon, and verdict was rendered ac-
cording to the facts. 1t Is not known
whether the drowning was intentional
or accidental Some think that it is a
case of suicide while others are of the
opinion that he met his fate by acct
dent while in swimming. Before the
body was found it was thought that
the clothes belonged to Henry Nagel,