Los Angeles herald., 1907-12-24
M YSTERY IN
MCIlNERA TON
OF VETERAN
COTTAGE BURNED; L. C. HEM
MERLY FOUND DEAD
BLOOD STAIN AND WOUND POINT
TO MURDER
Authorities Probe SawtelIe Case.
Falling Beam Forms Basis OF
Counter Theory-Had
Small Hoard

Members Of the sheriff's force OF depu-
ties are seeking to unravel the mystery
surrounding the death of l.. G. Hemmeriy,
a naval veteran of the civil war, whose
charred body was found In the midst OF
the ruins of his little cottage home In the
Castle Garden tract, a short distance
from the Sawtelle Soldiers home, yester-
day morning.
So many peculiar circumstances sur
round the death of the former soldier
that those who have Investigated, as well
as the many friends and acquaintances
of the man, are confident he was slain by
enemies or by robbers who coveted the
money he saved from his pension.
Hemmerly's body was found lying face
downward amid the ashes of his home.
The little cottage had been destroyed and
the flames from the timbers had burned
and charred the body until 1t was almost
impossible to recognize it.
After Il had been lifted from the ruins,
spectators noticed large b.otch OF a
dark color where 1t had been lying. and a
hasty investigation showed this was blood
from an ugly wound on the side of the
veterans head Upon examination 1t was
shown this wound was CAUSED by blow
from an instrument evidently In the hands
Of an assassin.
Deputies were detailed to assist City
Marshal ]. p. KeeDer and his deputy. a.
F. Young, In unraveling. the mysterious
circumstances surrouding the death, and
inquiries Of the aged mans past life and
in regard to his enemies were started.
Last Seen Sunday
It was learned that Hemmerly was last
seen alive by friends .ate Sunday night.
At that time he exhibited several small
articles he had purchased as Christmas
gifts, and he was apparently happy and
without care
When he left his friends the veteran
remarked that he was tired and intended
retiring early. He then walked in the
direction of his home.
Several hours later. or shortly before
midnight. Mrs. j. M. Rutherford. living
a Eighth street and Ohio avenue, and
Mrs. ingalls,. living short distance from
Mrs. Rutherford, heard cries from the
direction of the home of Hemmerly They
hastily arose from their beds and peered
from their windows in the direction from
which the sounds came. They saw moth
ing to arouse their suspicions. and again
retired.
At that time there was / o light showing
any building was in flames. and 1t Is pre-
sumed. II Hemmerly was murdered, his
assassins later set fire to the house.
Early yesterday morning while work.
men were passing the field in which the
house sat, they noticed the building had
been destroyed during the night and has
tened to the scene. 1t was these men
who first found the body.
According to those who knew Hemmer-
ly we'll, the man had been in the habit OF
saving a portion of each months pen
sion and he was supposed to keep sum
of money in the house at all times.
A search was made for this money, but
only a few silver dollars were found scat
tered about the floor.
Hemmer.y has been on furlough from
the home for several months. His habits
are said to have been good, and no one
believes he ever contemplated suicide.
At an Investigation carried on late In the
day by Deputy Coroner Sage 1t was de-
cided that death may have possibly re-
suited from a heavy timber falling from
the roof, striking Hemmerly on the head.
Hemmerly was 65 years of age. He en-
tered the home in 1895 and for a time was
a member OF company A division. Dur
ing the civil war he served with the
United States marinu corps. He was a PEN
sioner, receiving $l2 per month. and, like
scores of his comrades, preferred living
alone In a one-room dwelling outside OF
the home to availing himself Of the ac-
commodations of the government institu-
tion. He is survived by brother. John
B. Hemmerly of Pittsburg.