The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1902-10-10
MURDER FOUL
Eli Sijatovich Shot and Killed
by John Grahek
CHARGEABLE TO BLIND PIGS.


ST. Louis county last Sunday. Again
was it disastrously demonstrated that
something must soon be done in the
matter of abolishing the blind pigger-
ies'' in the location more Familiarity
known as boarding houses.
Again, murder was committed and
as is usual, the beer dispensed at these
places was the cause of the death of
young man and the placing OF an
other in the county Jail with charge
of murder hanging over him. Again
viii the prosecution farce be enacted
ard for the want of witnesses, another
murderer will be returned, acquitted
by a jury, Notwithstanding the admis-
sion of guilt.
One part of the proceeding, however,
we sincerely hope will be eliminated,
and that is a repetition of the undig-
niied actions of the last jury in show
ering the fellow with money. 1t is
not in the least remarkable that crimes
of this nature are on the increase in
the range towns when it is taken into
consideration that a cash premium is
placed on the taking of human life.
We have heard of women going
"dafty' over a murderer, but only St.
Louis county goes on record as hav-
ing juries that contribute cash to
prove that man morally guilty of
murder but acquitted by jury of
supposedly peers, is a hero.
There is one way the illicit selling
of the incentive to such affairs Us hap
pened Sunday evening can be stopped,
and stopped very easily. The law in
the matter has been tried and tried
again but without success. Operators
of blind pigs" have been arrested
many times, but seldom has there q
witness been found against them who
could testify he purchased intoxicants
in any of the So called boarding houses.
All claim that the beer is given as
matter of board, while it is an open Sc
cret that beer is being retailed in the
locations, double the amount retailed
by the licensed saloon. The mining
companies who lease the lands have
the key to the situation and could stop
the beer business, by refusing to allow
blind pigs" to exist on the property.
Until tho companies take such decis-
i've steps, nothing will be done. With
out any injury to their business, the
Illicit sale of beer on the locations can
be prohibited on the companies lands
and thus the business will gradually
disappear. The iron companies will
probably feel that some people are
meddling in their affairs, but the con-
census of opinion in this city and other
towns on the ranges is to the effect
that it could be stopped if the COM
panies desired.
Sunday evening at about II o'clock
the officers were called to the Pioneer
location by the announcement that a
human life had been taken at the
boarding house of Nick Martzich. On
arrival there it was found that Eli
Sajatorich had been shot through the
heart with 32-calibre revolver and in
stantly killed by John Grahek.
Grahek was taken into custody at
once and confined in Jail along with
JOS. Spreitzer and JOS. Supansich, two
witnesses who were present at the
shooting. Coroner Gleason was noti-
fed and the remains were removed to
the undertaking rooms where they
were viewed by a large number of
people.
Monday afternoon coroner's jury
consisting of John Jackman, Grant
McMahan, o. G. Korb, T. w. Bartlett,
A. D. Ellefsen and John Gouze were
impanelled and County Attorney Nc
Clintock notified. The inquest devel-
oped the fact that Grahek and partner
went to the Martzich boarding house
where a Qualification was in progress.
Dancing and beer drinking was the
order and Grahek INDUCED in a few
beers and a few dances. During his
stay, himself and partners it seems,
were in the way of a bevy of other
young fellows and Grahek was asked
to vacate by Sijatovich and his crowd.
One word brought on another and
fair sized row was soon brewing.
The boarding boss then took a hand
in the affair and invited the whole
push" outside, where hostilities were
renewed, Grahek and Sijatovich being
the principals. From words it came
to blows and Grahek claims he was
struck heavily on the head and breast.
He tried to get away but Siiatovioh
his hand containing something, Ora
HEX says, what he thought was knife,
and he pulled a 32-calibre revolver
from his pocket and shot. The shot
took effect and Sijatovich fell, mortal
ly wounded.
Several other witnesses were also
heard, but none were positive of see
ing anything in the hands of Sijatovich
in the nature of a knife. After listen
ing to the testimony, the jury brought
in verdict that Eli Sijatovich came
to his death by bullet fired from
32-calibre revolver in the hands of
John Grahek and that the said was
done feloniously."
County Attorney McClintock arrived
on the evening train and the prisoner
was given hearing that evening be-
fore Special Judge Bedford. He was
La,,,,5 o,,ox. I1o action of tho