Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1902-11-11
CHAPTER ".

CHAPTER ".
The coroner at first was averse TO ofh-
cial action in Peters case. The opinion
of the physician was sufficient, he
thought, until he received a note from
one of the owners of the Star Mill. Mr..
Meeker was of the opinion an inquest
should be held; a concern employing so
many workmen could not afford TO leave
any ground for speculation.
| So the jury was got together, duly
sworn, repaired in body to Mr.. Peters
house. where they viewed the remains in
silence. and then retired solemnly to a
neighbours office. placed at their disposal,
where the witnesses appeared before
them.
| The first witness called was Daniel
Atherton. the puddler The ironworker
looked unusually grave. His manner was
collected. his tones measured as he gave
his testimony. Mr.. Meeker was present.
| He was talking to Atherton in a low tone
when the jury entered the office.
There Is no use giving out to the world
that Peters was in a passion when he
/ fell" he said. You see, while it is true,
4 it will only create an erroneous impress
sion. The papers will publish It, and in
such a way that it may do Peters inins-
tice and pain his relatives. Here IS a
man dead. with nothing against him so
far, until the idea gets out all at once
/ he was a passionate, hossing sort of a
/ fellow-and that robs him or his people
of sympathy. / think, il | were you. I'd
confne myself to answers, instead of
volunteering q statement"
And there was Grip, very solemn, and
as silent as the grave. This silence ex-
asperated the ironworker. He We -
clined to tell all that passed, arr in the
order in which the incidents occurred. If
/ for no other reason than to show his dis
regard OF Mr.. Grips suggestions.
| But when he stood up before the jury.
4 his kindher nature asserted itself. s.,
often happened with him. and thus he
/ laid the foundation for future trouble,
as kindness and a disposition to oblige
often does.
Instead Of relating al that happened
the previous day. he simply answered
such questions IS were propounied by the
coroner.
YES. he bad met Mr., Peters about ten
minutes before he was stricken down. He
met him in the mill yard. They Were
4
he was seized. There was one other
present. Mr.. Grip. who was in the room.
I Mr.. Peters fell so suddenly neither could
prevent his falling. The mark on the
back OF his head was caused by large
/ piece OF iron. His head struck it as he
fell"
The jury looked at the coroner, then
at the door. At this point. the blunder-
/ ing juror popped up, as be invariably does
in the wrong place. 4 ssolid-looking man
desired to ask Mr.. ASherton lust one
+ question"
About that lump OF metal he said.
4 ''or piece OF metaI-it Mr.. Peters had at
tended 10 his business. locked after every
thing as he'd orser have done, do You
3think that piece OF metal would hsye been
where it wass And Il it hadn't been iheTe
well. maybe he'd be living yet.
You needn't answer thSt question.
said the coroner. 1t isn't pertinent.
There Is nc object In III
I All the Jurors looked at the laundering
juryman reprOvingly. Then Nh. Grip
was sworn. Mr.. Grips testimony was
much shorter than the paddler's. IL was
corroborative-
/ That is about all. gentlemen" said The
coroner. Il viii leave yen now for q few
minutes 70 prepare your verdict Here
are pen. ink and nsner.
Then Mr.. Meeker accompanied ~
Grim. Atherton and the coroner. stepped
10 the door and booked out. Two minutes
later 8 juror came ont. touched the eoro-
aer on the arm. ana when be went N be