Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-01-14
A PROBABLE MURDER.

A PROBABLE MURDER.
On the night of January 9, about II
O'Clock the police discovered the al
most inanimate body of Leander
Clark, an old soldier, about 60 years of
age, near the small bridge across the
race, on the road leading to Central
Addition There was life in the body
but it was at low ebb; the hands were
icy cold, as if frozen and the body
was almost rigid. Clark was remoy-
ed at once to the house of a, relative,
George Swearingen, who lived near,
where Clark had been staying, and
here he remained until January Z,
when he was taken to the hospital by
direction of Dr. A. o. Williams and
he died there a few days later.
1t was reported to the authorities
the next day after Clark was found,
that he had received his injuries in
falling from the bridge and that his
injuries were not necessarily fatal
Meanwhile his son, Harry Clark, of
Chicago, came here and began to in
vestigate and found some circum-
stances that seemed suspicious as if
foul play had been the cause of his
fathers death. A coroners inquest
was held on the remains and Dr. A.
o. Williams testified that the iniur-
les received might have been occa-
stoned by an accident or a fall but
that the supposition was improbable.
DR.. Williams is of the opinion that the
fracture of the skull, which was quite
extensive, was caused, by a blow from
heavy club in the hands of vigor-
GUS person. The doctor is also of
the opinion that the assault was made
by one who personally knew Clark and
his habits. 1t is also said that Clark
had been engaged at work for few
days previous to the assault and that
his wages were thought to be on his
person when he was assaulted
There was also some evidence to
the effect that a young man, about %
years of age had made threats against
Clark. j. w. Quick and wife testified
that this young man had said: q
have it in for Pownell (E. j. and
Clark" The latter, on his death bed
muttered the name of the young man
referred to and said he Clark was
afraid of him. The latter disappeared, it
+ is said, about the time Clark was in
jured and is yet absent. These are
suspicious circumstances and yet the
party referred to may be innocent but
it would be better for him and his case
If he had remained here to have made
such explanations as are necessary
and confront the witnesses who testi-
fly as to threats he has made against
the man who is dead.
The coroner's jury returned a YER
dict to the effect that Leander Clark
"came to his death from blow on
the head resulting in a fracture of the
skull and from causes unknown. to
the jury This is vague and indefi-
mite but such a finding will not pre-
vent the grand jury from investigating
down to the bottom. Leander Clark
was poor man, obscure and I'M
known outside of a very limited circle,
but his life was as dear to him and to
those who loved him as though he
had possessed thousands of dollars.
Human life becomes too cheap
when it is regarded from the stand
point of money. Whenever a murder
or suspected murder is considered
only from financial or social point of
view, that moment human life has it's
price and the murderer will always
strain point in order that his own
crime may be covered The friends of
an accused, if they be influential or
wealthy, will exert their power to
shield the murderer. The safety then
OF the majority lies, therefore, in i'm
partially in enforcing the laws
against assassination, which is becom-
ing too common crime.
The facts brought out in this par
ticular case may be insufficient to
convict but there is certainly enough
proof to justify rigid investigation
by the grand jury.
N