The daily sentinel., 1908-03-16

This morning at 10 o'clock the in
quest over the remains of TEX"
King, the young cattleman killed on
West creek. about 20 miles south
west of Grand Junction, by william
Wagner, was opened at the Bannis-
ter undertaking establishment by
Coroner H. S. Day.
A. jury of six men was empanneled
to examine the remains and to hear
the testimony of the witnesses. The
jury consisted of Messrs. w. E. Dud-
ley, A. G .Coen, j. M. Silcox. E. E.
Carder, w. e. Blevins and Mr..
Laugh.
Considerable time was devoted to
the examination of the body of King.
1t was found that the load of shot
had entered the body just over the
heart and the heart was literally
torn to pieces. Death was instantan-
eous. The shot entered the mans
body at right angle.
The shot gun used by Wagner in
killing King was found to contain
six or seven loaded shells. He had
fired only once. and King evidently
fell dead at his feet.
There were only a few witnesses
to be examined, as there was no eye
The examination of the remains
was held at Bannister's. and then
the jury repaired to the City hall.
where the taking of testimony and
the examination of the witnesses
were held.
The Slayer of King.
William Wagner, the man who
killed King, was brought to the City
hall by the sheriff. He was neatly
dressed in black. He Is not bad
looking fellow. He speaks English
well. although it is easy to tell that
\ he is either German or Hollander.
He is a man of medium size; black
hair: black mustaehe and coal black
eyes. He gave the closest attention
| to the testimony of every witness,
and seemed to be perfectly at ease.
Wagner made good impression up
on all who saw him this morning.
and few there were VINO believed
that he had shot King without suf-
fcient provocation.
Undertaken First Witness.
The first witness was undertaken
w. ii. Bannister, who told of going
to the little ranch home at Gateway
and bringing the remains back to
town. He described the surround
ings of the home, the contents of the
house and the condition of the body.
Many Exhibits Introduced.
A plat of the house showing the
room in which King was killed. the
position of the body, ETC., was intro
duced as exhibit X. The revolver,
the clothes that were on the dead
mans body his cartridge belt and
the shotgun which belonged to the
dead man but which was used by
Wagner to kill its owner with, were
introduced.
Roy Hatch Called.
Roy Hatch, the young man at
whose home the killing took place,
was called to the witness stand. He
said that he and his wife lived on a
tract of land near Gateway, Colo,
many miles southwest of Grand
Junction. He had known King for
five or six years. Last fall. he sold
the improvements on his tract of
land or claim to King & Wagner. He
and his wife continued to reside on
the place. King and Wagner, who
were associated for the purpose of
developing the ranch, occupied one
room at the little house Hatch said
that on the morning of March IL. at
about GAS O'Clock. he and his wife
were awakened suddenly by the fir
ing of a shot. He heard man yell
once. Believed 1t to have been King.
Then Wagner called him (Hatch)
He answered, but did not get up.
Wagner called him second time
saying "OH, ROY! COME QUICK!'
Hatch said that he thought maybe
Mr.. Steele, for whom Wagner was