The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-10-13
LOOKS LIKE MURDER
The Body Of an Unknown Laboring
Man Is Found in Prospect
Park.
An Empty Purse and Bruises About
the Head Point to .-~.-
Foul Play.

The body Of an unknown man was found
lying in a. lonely spot in Prospect park
this morning. An ugly wound upon the
right temple indicated foul play. His
purse was found in his side coat pocket
and was empty. save for a scent piece
which was caught as though lodged while
the rest Of the contents were being poured
out. Nothing was found upon, the body
by which it could be identified, although
several persons claim to have seen the
mail. >
The body was found by Andrew john
son. who resides at 1902 Essex street, as
he was on his way to work. When he
came upon the body it was lying near a
little ravine few yards from Williams
street Sc. 1t was lying face upwards,
with arms extended. The right shoe,
which had been pulled off. was lying near
the foot. The hat was lying by the left
hand while common briar pipe lay few
feet to the left of the head. There was
no indication of a struggle. -
Mr.. johnson at once notified the police
and Coroner Williams and Morgue Keeper.
Lovejoy went at once to the scene. An
examination revealed the fact that, the
man had received a wound on the lert
side of the head as though struck by some
heavy, blunt instrument. There was
slight swelling above this wound which
would indicate that death had not been
the man had not struggled after he had
received the blow.
Burnt matches were strewn around the
body as though they had been used III
searching for valuables. No jewelry or
valuables were found. His purse was
found in his side coat pocket and that
fact would indicate that he had met with
foul play, for it Is rather unusual for a
man to carry coin purse In an outside
coat pocket.
Dr. Williams is at loss to explain why
the right shoe had been removed. 1t is
possible the man had a sum concealed in
his shoe and was waylaid by someone who
knew Of its hiding place.
The spot where the body was found is
is lonely place little more than two
blocks from the Interurban street car line.
1t is not far from where several hold-ups
occurred last winter. There are several
residences in the vicinity, but after 10
o'clock at night the neighborhood is prac-
tically deserted. 1t is thought that the
man might have been enticed into the
place by some one who intended only to
| rob him, but who struck too hard a blow.
No one In the neighborhood remembers
hearing any unusual sound or seeing any
strange persons last night. Owing to the
fact that the night was stormy and that
from all appearances, the murder was
committed about midnight, this is not
strange.
The finding Of the body attracted a
large crowd, and several men said that
they had seen the man in that vicinity.
| One man said that the man walked along
University avenue Sc every morning and
| that, although he did not know who he
| was, he thought he worked in the linseed
! mills near the railroad tracks. Coroner
Williams stopped at the mills with the
body and several workmen viewed the re-
mains but none was able to identify him
| All were certain, however, that he resides
| in the midway district and the fact thai
| his hat was purchased at Minneapolis
clothing store strengthens this belief.
The body was removed to Amoor's un.
dertaking establishment. An autopsy will
be held and it is likely that an inquest
will be necessary.
The body is that of a man apparently
45 years of age, five feet eight inches tai
and weighing about $50 pounds. He hac
dark mustache and dark hair, slightly
mixed with gray, while he was Slightly
| bald in front. He was dressed in the gart
of laboring man, with overalls, a darl
striped shirt, dark check sack coat and
| soft black hat.
Superintendent of Police e. F. Wait,
sent Detective Nick Smith to the seen.
this morning and if the coroner decide!
that murder has been committed, will
detail officers to investigate further