Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-05-11

is THOMAS M'GRAH OF CHILLI.
cOTHE, a.; FATHER CON-
FIRMS IDENTIFICATION.
HAS BEEN MURDERED
John Allen Arrested as Suspect by
| Sheriff Knox; Has Told that he
and "Tommy" Fell Into
Race Together.

The mutilated body dragged from
the tail race opposite the union depo
yesterday afternoon at / o'clock, was
identified yesterday evening by A
Scott as Thomas McGrah of Chilli
cothe, Iowa, and a few minutes later
his identity was established without
the least doubt by c. w. McCarty, dep
uty county auditor, who has known the
McGrah family for many years and
was we'll acquainted with the deceased
After Suspect.
With the discovery of the mans iden.
tity comes the revelation that he had
been murdered. Sheriff William E.
Knox has traced the supposed slayer
and the circumstantial evidence COM
hined with his own statements, makes
out bad case against A Chillicothe
man, a friend of the deceased, in that
he witnessed or inflicted the gashes In
McGrah's face, and in their struggling
caused McGrah to lose his life In the
waters of the race.
Father Identifies Son.
Immediately upon the establishing Of
the fact that the dead man was Thos.
McGrah, the father, Thomas McGrah,
Sr.. was communicated with at Chill.
licothe and arrived in the city this
morning. The first glance at the dead
man brought the declaration, That's
Tommy, all right"
With the father came an aunt of the
deceased. Miss Mary McGrah, Then
the explanation for the cards appear
ing in the clothes of the dead man
was made. Mrs. Bridget Kennedy OF
Ashland, Wis. is sister of the de-
ceased, Mrs M. j. Rush is a niece,
while the name of Ionic, appearing at
the end of the little note is another
aunt. The decedent was 43 years old
instead of rs as at first thought. The
arrangements for the funeral have not
as yet been made.
Startling Story.
The story Of the death of McGrah is
startling. From what can be learned
McGrahs companion thought to know
most of the taking of McGrah's life,
came to Ottumwa with McGrah last
Tuesday. The two men were &C
customed to come to this city fire.
quently, stay three or fc' avs and
return. But Wednesday tt an went |
back to Chillicothe alone. He met |
he father of the deceased who asked
# Tommy" had got back He stated
that he and Tommy fell into the
river" together and that he got out
but he didn't know whether Tommy
lid or not.
The father paid no attention to this
because of his boys habit of coming |
o Ottunwa and concluded that since |
le had heard nothing Of any such an
he though that Tommy
must have gotten out of the water too.
Fhe same story was told to a business
nan In Chillicothe and he seemed very {
nervous and fidgety while relating
What had happened He said not y
word however. about any cutting, fight
,r struggle, simply stating that he
ell in the water With Tommy. He also |
minated that both had been drink |
ng. The facts Of the case will prob
lbly come out in the coroners inquest.
Inquest Tomorrow.
Coroner A. w. Slaught will not hold |
The inquest until tomorrow morning as
the case will need further investiga-
ton. The trial will probably be held
at the Sullivan chapel tomorrow
The funeral will be held from the c.
r. Sullivan undertaking rooms at 9 a.
m. to ST. Patricks church where at
$50 the funeral service will be held.
[nterment in Calvary cemetery.