Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1905-08-29

GREAT JUDITH COUNTRY
walk, and looking over toward Stud
zinski's place saw that the light was
out. From the time he noticed the
light until he observed it was out
was only few minutes.
The Post Mortem.
DR.. w. A. Long testified that he at
tended the post mOrtem, and describ-
ed the wounds on the body of the
deceased. They consisted of scalp
wounds and a fracture of the skull
three inches long by an inch and a
half wide. from which the brains ex
uded. This wound was necessarily
fatal. In addition there was cord
around the neck of deceased, drawn
so tight that it was not easily seen
The wounds on the head, the doctor
thought, might have been caused by
blow from the hilt Of the knife in
troduced as an exhibit.
Told About the Knife.
William McGlenning, bar keeper
at Branson's saloon. told of the last
time he saw the deceased alive. 1t
was about 4 or o'clock Wednesday
afternoon. Studzinski told the wit.
ness about some one having visited
his place and stolen his double edged
knife.
Bought a Pistol of Him.
Joe Decker gave an account of a
transaction with Studzinski last week.
He called to buy pistol, and paid
the old man $3.50 for weapon.
Decker was positive that this occur
red Thursday afternoon. but there is
little doubt about his being mistak-
en- on that point. Alfred Van Hau-
sendank was at the old mans place
at the time. and made change for
StudZinski. He fixed the time as
Thursday, and both witnesses testified
that while they We're there. short.
dark man. with sparse whiskers. called
and asked the old man what he would
pay for a hide. Studzinski told him
to bring the hide and he would tell
him.
Roy Hopkins stated that he saw
Studzinski last on Wednesday, when
he sold him some goods at the store.
Coroner Attix then stated the result
of the post mortem examination. This
being practically the same as the tes-
SIScu DN III. l<UIlS Ou IHc
same point.
Exhibits in the Case.
The sheriff had at the office Stud
zinski's hat, worn by him when he
was killed. It is a stiff hat, and the
top of it is crushed in where the blow
was delivered. the felt being broken
in an irregular manner at the place
over the wound in the head. The jur-
ors also saw the two mysterious cards
left by the murderer. bearing the in
scription. written by his finger dip
ped in blood. tx. c. No. IT,"
Verdict Of Murder.
The jurors then retired and brought
in the following verdict:
"The said jurors on their oaths do
say that the said Samuel Studzinski
came to his death by means Of blows
on the top of the head with some
blunt instrument inflicted by a party
or parties unknown to the jurors, the
same being committed with murder
Gus intent, on or about August %,
at his residence, corner of Main
street and Third avenue"
Is clear Enough.
With the facts as now revealed, it
does not require much imagination to
reconstruct the terrible scene that
was enacted in Studzinski's little
home Wednesday night. Some party
or parties. probably known in some
way to the old man, called there os.
tensibly to transact some business.
1t is more than likely that they had
seen the old man prior to this call,
and perhaps partially made deal.
1t would be easy enough to pretend,
during the usual hours, that a watch
was wanted, and on ascertaining the
price. for the party to have said that
he did not have that amount with
him, but would call in the evening.
Some such subterfuge was probably
used, for an utter stranger would not
have been admitted. much less induc-
ed Studzinski to open up his trunk.
Having succeeded SO far, when the
old man unlocked his trunk, and was
STOPPING over to lift out the tray, this
murderous blow was delivered from
behind. This much is proven by the
fact that the blood collected by tho
trunk shows that he was struck while
there, and as the blood flowed into the
tray. and not into the bottom of the
trunk, 1t will at once be seen that the
murderer himself lifted out the tray
after the blow was delivered, and af-
ter he had stretched out the body OF
the old man on the floor. where 1t was
discovered. The rope was drawn
about the neck after the blow was
struck, and very little blood flowed
after that. Having committed the
awful deed, the criminal helped him
self to the victims valuables, and
having secured the loot, took two
cards which he found in the place.
and dipping his finger in Studzin-
skis blood, wrote the message that has
caused so much speculation.
The Mysterious Message.
AS to that message many construc'
tions have been placed upon 1t. Some
think 1t is intended as a notice to
some pals in another part Of the
country, while others read it different
ly, some even connecting it with Kid
Curry. In all probability, the mes
sage has not the slightest signifi-
canoe. 1t was probably merely a
"smart" trick on the part of most
desperate criminal. by which he hop
ed to get the officers started on some
wild goose chase.
Sheriff Slater and all others who
have had any experience with GRIM
inals, take this view of it.
Funeral Held Saturday.
In pursuance of the instructions re-
ceived by J. w. Luton from Studzin-
skis brother in San Francisco, the