, 1905-01-21

George H. Gerber, the First street
merchant who was found at noon yes
terday to have been murdered at his
store at 907 First street, completed its
labors at noon, returning a verdict
that the nan had been killed by being
beaten with two large iron bars and
having a knife wound in his throat,
with the knife sticking in the wound
when the body was taken in charge by
the jury and coroner. The murderer
or murderers are still unknown to the
jury, little having been found to throw
light upon their Whereabouts or iden.
tity. The jury examined a number of
witnesses yesterday afternoon and
more today, finding something of the
man and his characteristics, and point,
ing the way to the investigation by the
sheriff's and marshal's officers of clews
that may or may not be followed to
conclusion. 1t was found hat Gerber
spent much of his time alone, had few
close friends, was not very laxative,
and hal his store was sometimes used
as a meeting place for boys who
smoked and told stories, and at other
times by men who liked to play cards
and win money. Small boys some
times gathered at the place, and from
three of these came the most direct
testimony as to the possible identity of
the nan or men who ended the mer-
chants life in so shocking a manner
Marshal Sigman yesterday afternoon
arrested Manuel Martinez, a Mexican,
as told in these columns that day, but
he does not believe the Mexican knows
much of the mystery, if anything. He
was at the Gerber store on Thursday,
and readily recognized a photograph of
Gerber as the picture of the man who
owned the store, but he disclaimed any
knowledge of the killing, and was both
shocked and surprised when told that
the man had been found murdered.
He will be held until what he knows
of the case is known to the officers.
Three small boys were examined be-
fore the c%oroner's jury in session at
Justice Grants court this morning.
They told of a negro who came to the
store about $50 Thursday night, the
night Gerber was murdered, and who
bought a package of tobacco of Gerber.
The boys quoted a remark made by
him. This is a pretty cold night to be
riding in a box car, boys" The negro
went away, but afterward came and
peered through a window into the
room. He walked across the vacant
lots toward the railroad tracks.
Mr.. Arp, who was placed in charge
of the store by Coroner Robinson,
found $27.35 in small change in a box
in the store, the only sum, as far as
known, overlooked by the robbers.
1t is believed that the assailant of
Gerber either bought the knife found
in the mans throat in the store or
took it from the stock, as it is exactly
like others found in a showcase. 1t is
a new knife.
Among Gerber's letters were a num-
Der from women in different parts Of
the country, indicating hat Gerber had
belonged to a matrimonial club at Den
yer and had been corresponding with
women. He had three sets OF photo
graphs of himself, some of which were
taken quite recently, others some time
before at Denver. He also had photo.
graphs of other people. presumably one
of the aunt of whom he had spoken to
Mrs. Walter, and perhaps Of his bro.
Their or a grandson in hunting attire.
There were a number Of letters from
business firms and a letter from q
land Office in Colorado, showing that
he had had dealings with the genera
land office in regard to homestead fl
ings or entries Of government lands
1t was impossible, the coroner found
TO locate the present whereabouts o.
his relatives. Coroner Robinson tele
phoned last afternoon to Saratoga ant
Encampment. but found that the bro
|ther OF Gerber. who had been at boil
places, had gone and his destination