Courier Democrat., 1901-08-01

LANGDON, NORTH DAKOTA
with blood worn by him at the time.
Both were identified by the doctor and
admitted as exhibits. Witness showed
TO jury in what form the rope was
entwined part ways around Mellem's
neck, under the body and the long end
lying between the legs the short end
lying on the uppermost side and right
arm OF the body, He also testified to
having noticed on first viewing the
body that the pants were only buttoned
at the waist band. Later otter arrival
OF coroner and removal OF the vest SOW
that suspenders Were not buttoned to
pants. Said the post mortem was held
after removal of the body to town in the
evening. Witness testified to having
been at the Barry farm twice during the
day.
Defense made no cross-examination of
Dr.. Reilly, but wanted state to hold
witness during remainder OF trial.
State being through with DR.. Reilly the
court denied request OF defense. 1t is
likely, however, the doctor may later
take stand as witness on the other
side.
DR.. Semple, who was county coroner
January 3rd,. the present incumbent not
having taken over the Office, was
next called. Testified to knowing Barry
but slightly. He was called up officially
by phone from Milton about IL o'clock
in the forenoon OF January Bird last;
didn't recognize voice of party talking
TO him from the other end OF the line.
He went down OH the afternoon train
and impaneled a coroner's jury consist
ing Of T. w. Cox, VIM. Robinson and
Frank Dslling. They drove out to the
Barry farm to view the body, arriving
there in the evening at about 6 o'clock.
States Attorney Dickson, Ex-County
Com'r George Weir and DIR. Reilly were
also OF the party. Ex. Sheriff Jno. l..
Robertson, a, that time a county
official, was with them. Found the
body in the southwest portion of the
west side of the barn behind horse
stall, lying with the head about two or
three feet from the wall. They entered
the barnby the driveway, the main en-.
trance to the building. In the portion
where Mellem's body lay there were
horses, five in all. also COW. The roof
appeared to be low, possibly about 10
feet. There was beam about six
inches square running along the rear OF
the stalls from north to south, support
ed by the standards OF the stalls. The
body lay on the plank floor, partly on
left side and partly on fape, the right
arm being at right angles with body.
Fingers OF left hand were partly closed,
the position OF the right hand being
natural. The rope and Mellem's cloth
ing were brought into the court room
again, for Identification by the corener,
and his testimony also showed that the
rope was only partly around Mellem's
neck, the loop underneath forming the
blood stained portion. Both exhibits
had been turned over TO Coroner Semple
at the time OF the inquest and later
given over to sheriff when preliminary
examination was held. At the inquest
he found wound in the right side OF
neck, possibly an inch and one half in
length, and aboht that width at lowest
point. 1t was a mortal wound. Two
irregular abrasions were found ON the
right side OF the nose, and appeared to
have been made before death. The flow
of blood had been from the front of
head and neck; blood had formed q
frozen pool with the head and left side
OF lace lying therein. Side OF face upper
most was also covered with blood and
the scratches on the nose were not
found until after the face had been wash
ed. The body was not frozen but limbs
had stiffened somewhat. A few spots
on thescollar OF coat was oil the blood
found on clothing Of the dead man. DR..
Semple described Mellem as about 6 feet
8 inches in height; weight not more than
$50 pounds and appearing to be about
81 or 35 years old. Had seen him once
while alive and did not recognize him
ut first. Testified to finding Mellem's
suspenders unbuttoned and the fly OF
the trousers fastened only at the waist
band. Made memorandum OF every
thing in Mellenl's possession, the valu-
ables being pocket book containing
$3.50 in money and paper securities,
notes, etc. Witness testified to having
seen Barry Oh returning to Milton from
the farm. During his visit to Barry's
farm OH evening Of Jan. 3rd had not
gone into the house; stayed about half
All hour, taking Mellem' body to Milton
for purpose of holding an inquest and a
post mortem examination that was
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