Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1906-1908, 1907-04-19


lem to solve In the mystery surround
ing the death of stranger who's body
was discovered about 5 80 oclock YES
terday morning in the Rock river,
In shallow water few rods south
of the G., M. & St. P. railway bridge.
The clews are lneagre to work
upon and it is doubtful if the details
leading up to the death are ever made
known. From the circumstances as
learned, it would appear as If 1t was
a case of murder and robbery
The discovery was made by Frank
O'Neill, a brakeman ON the North.
western road, whose run is between
here and GAINESVILLE. Mr.. O'Neill was
CRUISING the railway bridge on his way
to his train. Upon seeing the body
in the water, the gentleman tele-
phoned to police headquarters that
the body of Otto Pautz, who was
drowned two weeks ago near Pipers-
vile, was lying in the water at the
place above mentioned. Those who
were soon on the scene discover
ed that the body was not of Pautz, but
stranger in the city.
The body was removed to the city
m. rgue and up to late last night it had
not been identified. There was moth
ing in the clothing by which the iden-
tity or place of residence of the I'M
fortunate person could be learned. A
search of the body disclosed only a
keyrlng OH which were two old coins,
comb, pair of spectaces. a tea
spoon and Is cents in money There
were no letters or papers to furnish
an identification and all that can be
learned is that gained at the American
House where the stranger stopped
Wednesday, taking dinner and supper.
The party put in an appearance at
the hotel Wednesday morning. He took
dinner: for which he paid the proprle-
tors daughter in the dining room,
leaving without registering. He did
the same thing at supper time, not
making his indemnity known to anyone
| about the hotel
During the afternoon the stranger
conversed quite freely with John Burns
and Morris Parks moreso with the
first mentioned. He went to the barn
of Mr.. Burns with that gentleman.
Upon seeing the handsome gray team,
the man casually remarked that the
team looked just like one he recently
sold for $3.50. The stranger also men
toned the fact that he had recently
come from Duluth, Mimi, and made
the statement that he owned 300 acres
of land in Oregon. He seemed to
have money and paid for everything
as Re went. One circumstance that
leads to the murder and robbery theory
is that when the man paid for his din
ner and supper at the American House,
he displayed pocketbook from which
the money was taken. The pocket
book was missing, however, when the
body was searched. This, together
with the fact that the left side of the
head showed bad scalp wound, as if
struck by some blunt instrument. The
theory of some is that in crossing the
wagon bridge above where the body
was found, the fellow was struck over
the head, rubbed and the body thrown
over the bridge.
At the hotel Wednesday evening
the stranger made inquiries in regard
to board and asked If he could remain
there in case he decided to stay in
Watertown. He was given an answer
in the affirmative. When asked if
he wanted a room for the night, the
party stated that he could not answer
definitely. He said that he was going
to the 10 20 train on the st. Paul road.
He added that if he met friend as
he expected to, he would return to
the hotel for the night in company
with his friend. He stated further
That if he did not arrive, he would
leave on that train.
The man whose body was found is
about fiftyfve years of age, his
hair being streaked with gray also
his moustache. He was fairly we'll
dressed and to all appearances was a
man who was not in need. The shoes
worn showed a st. Paul mark and We're |
evidently bought in that city.
Through ,ut yesterday, the morgue
was visited by many of the citizens of
the city, but none were able to throw
any light On the matter. However,
John urueI after seeing the body, said
he was quite sure that he had seen the
party in his place of business. After
the body had been removed to the
John Burns, Morris Parks and
one of the young ladies at the hotel
visited the morgue and identified the
body, so far as it was the person who
had stopped at the MOTEL the day before.
At present, the authorities are
trying to learn what they can relative
to the identity of the man, also trying
to ferret out the mystery of the death.
An inquest will be held tomorrow
Saturday morning at 10 O'Clock be-
fore Justice Hence. /