The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1912-01-09
JURY FAILS TO
FIX ANY BLAME
INQUEST HELD BY CORONER LIT
TIE TO INQUIRE INTO DEATH
or 3. MATELA AT
ACCESSIBLE.

Little was brought out at the in
guest held yesterday at the office OF
Coroner Little into the death Of Bern
hardt Matela of JacObsville that would
show the manner in which death had
occurred. or fix responsibility upon any
one. Ten witnesses. all acquaintances
of Matela, and including Helberg and
Winsa, the two men last seen with the
deceased. were placed on the stand and
questioned relative 10 the events OF the
night of the 26th Of December the date
when the decedent was last seen alive
and also touching upon the manner OF
finding the body on Tuesday last jan
uary 2. Winsa and Helberg, by ad-
vice Of their counsel, Attorney W. j.
Galbraith refused 10 answer any ques-
lions. Two of the witnesses, named
Tromp and Mikkila, told OF having
seen small spots of blood on the
ground. on a log and in the stern of
the mail carriers boat. i'm which the
men had first started to cross the
river.
County Physician Jackson testified
that the only marks found were slight
abraslons on the left ear and right
cheek and that a more thorough eN-
animation made at the undertaking
rooms showed that death had beer due
10 drowning.
George Hooking. in charge Of the bar
at the White City, related that the
three men, Matela, Helberg and Winsa
had left his place shortly after
o'clock 70 start for the other side Of the
river They had returned in a few
minutes, talking loudly and excitcd,y
in Finnish. apparently quarreling. Ma
tela was covered with snow and Hell
bergs feet We're wet. The latter re-
moved his shoes. and dried his feet,
and about eight o'clock secured a Ian
tern and started TO leave. remardng
that they would try TO shake Ma
tela, who was apparently asleep near
the stove. Matea evidently heard the
other and got up 10 follow them, leav-
ing only a few minutes later and not
more than twenty feet behind them.
Matt Pietela was one Of those who
found the body and tied il TO the revet-
ment until the officers should arrive
and take charge Of IT, A witness
named Mikldla told of a conversation
with Helberg In which the latter had
told OF the dispute about the oars OF
the boat, Matela declaring thar the two
could not use his boat and then giving
the boat a shove from hore Regard
ing another later conversation with
Helberg the witness said the latter had
mentioned Matela having demanded
the return OF some mitts belonging TO
him. and that Matela had grasped
Helberg and scunled with him, the
latter knocking Matela down.
some Witnesses who were expected
did not arrive. and the case was given
20 the jury without them They re-
turned with a verdict that Matela
came 10 his death by drowning but in
a manner unknown to the jury. on De-
Cember 26 near the White city.
Helberg and Winsa, who have been
held on charge Of manslaughter, will
have their preliminary examination
before Justice Little Wednesday morn
ing. SO far, there has been little evil
dence ELECTED beyond that showing
them 20 have been with Matcla on the
night of his death. but from the previ-
Gus good record held by the men
among those acquainted with them
they are not regarded as likely 10 have
been capable Of taking the life of their