Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1905-08-25
|FOUL MURDER IN THE HEART Of THE CITY
Samuel Studznski Brutay Killed at His Little Home,
Corner of Main Street and First Avenue, Last Night
Body Discovered This Morning Murderer Leaves
Mysterious Message-Inquest Tomorrow

This offer was refused, and the cir.
cumstance made such an impression
on the old man that he related it,
giving Mr.. Smith all the particulars.
Among other things, he said that the
visitor had beard, but it struck him
as being false. Mr.. Smith informed
Marshal Burke of the circumstance,
and the latter. running across a party
who answered the description given.
ordered him out of town. 1t seems
that after all, however, Studzinski
was caught in just such trap as tho
one he thought was laid for him that
night. AS before stated. the circum-
to open his trunk. and while engag
ed in so doing, received his death
blow.
The Old Mans History.
Studzinski was Russian Jew, and
came to this country when boy
He went to San Francisco not later
than 1852. and lived in California for
many years. He came to LewistOwn
about six years ago. having previous,
ly made an unfortunate investment in
some mining proposition at Castle.
Arriving at LewistOwn, he commenced
trading in very small way in hides
and furs, and loaned out consider
able money on pledges.
His Closest Friend.
J. w. Luton, of this city, was the old
mans closest friend, and knows more
about him and his business than any
one else. Mr.. Luton wrote all the
old mans letters and was his general
adviser. Studzinski has brother who
is engaged in the jewelry business at
222 Pine street, San Francisco, and
who is understood to be wealthy
This brother had frequently written
to StudZinski to return to California,
and Mr.. Luton strongly advised him
to do so. Studzinski had concluded
to accept this advice, but stayed on
closing up his small business mat
ters Mr.. Luton wired the San Fran
cisco brother at once, informing him
Of the tragedy.
Inquest Tomorrow.
Coroner F. F. Attix has completed
arrangements for the inquest, which
will be held tomorrow at 10 a. m.
This morning the following were
sworn as jurors. and viewed the re-
mains: James Ready. Noble Walker,
j. r. Lane, Robert Jackson and AL.
Fleming
Murderer Used a Rope.
The body was turned over to Un.
dertaker Creel to prepare for burial,
and the rope placed around the neck
Of the victim was then discovered
for the first time. It was drawn right
into the flesh, and the purpose of the
murderer in using this was evidently
to shut off any noise or cry. 1t is the
general impression that the precau.
tion was not needed. after the blow
in the head was deliyered. but it
shows that the criminal was not only
hardened in desperate work, but was
careful as well.
One Point Clear.
One detail connected with the trag-
edy is quite clear. and that is that
the murderer entered the place by the
front door in the usual way. as there
is no rear entrance, and none OF the
windows were tampered with. The
further fact that the door was locked,
but that no key was found on the in
side, shows that the criminal. after
committing his terrible deed. left by
the front door. locking 1t on the out
side and taking the key with him.
Many think that the old man would
not have admitted stranger at night,
and argue from this that the victim
must have been acquainted with the
man who called. That is only guess.
| The old man loaned money, and he
had unredeemed pledges to sell. The
caller may have been negotiating for
loan, or he may have pretended
that he wanted to make a purchase,
and in the absence of anything sus.
picious, Studzinski might have been
willing to accommodate him.