The Logan Republican. [volume] (Logan, Utah) 1902-1924, 1913-07-10
INQUEST DENIED
IN OGDEN CASE
Weber Commissioners Refuse Formal
Demand Of Brother Of Peter
Minnoch

Ogden July 7.-Concurring in the
decision Of Acting County Attorney
James B. McCracken, the Weber coun
ty commissioners this afternoon re-
fused to authorize the holding OF a
coroner's inquest in the Ogden canyon
| disaster of Friday after a formal re.
quest for such an investigation had
been made by relatives of Peter Min.
noch, who died as a result OF his in.
juries. 1t would be possible to force
the holding of an inquest in the event
that writ of mandate be secured in
the district court, but relatives OF
Mr.. Minnoch declared tonight that
they did not contemplate such action.
With but seemingly little change
in the condition of Daniel Grattan and
Motorman John NJ. Sherman, the
two men who have lowered between
life and death since the accident,
they are reported tonight TO have
slightly improved chances for recov-
cry. The contemplated operations
upon Grattan for the TRANSMISSION OF
blood has not been performed. II
transpired during the day that Chris
Anton the Greek laborer who was re.
ported among those less seriously in
jured, Is in a dangerous condition.
He suffered a compound fracture OF
the left leg. and there is grave dan
ger of death from blood poisoning.
Attorneys Decision
The decision on the holding of an
official investigation of the accident
fell to Attorney McCracken today
when he assumed the duties of Coun.
ty Attorney David Jensen, who has
been granted a thirty-day vacation py
the county commissioners. Attorney
Jensen left the city yesterday Nhen
Robert Minnoch, brother, and David
Munro, brother-in-law of the late Pet
er Minoch appeared before the board
today with a request for an inquest,
they were referred to Attorney Nc
Cracker. His decision on which the
action OF the commissioners Is based,
Is as follows:
:. July 7, 1913
To the honorable Board Of County
Commissioners of Weber County,
City:
Gentlemen: / beg to report to you
that have under consideration the
matter referred to me by you as to
the law OF Utah on the subject OF
holding inquests.
Section 1921, Complied Laws OF
Utah, provides for the holding of in
quests ION the bodies of such persons
as are supposed to have died by un.
lawful means. Section 1914 provides
that the expenses OF ho.G:ng an in.
Quest sha be a charge against the
county. Section SO provides that the
tOard Of county commiss oners may
: sjec. bills in all cases in which the
authorized the holding of an inquest.
Nothing to Be Gained.
My view of the subject of the hold.
ing of inquests, under section 1921
Of our statues, is that the county
should not be put to the expense OF
holding an inquest and that none
be held unless there is some ground
for supposing that the person who has
died met r. or her death by unlaw.
ful means and that in ordinary in.
stances of the death of persons where
the death was not the resuu OF an az.
cident and there Are no facts roint.
ing to criminal negligence on the part
o. any one, under our law, the hold.
ing Of an inquest Is not contemplate.
| ed
The brother Of Peter Minnoch who
is said to have received injuries in the
accident In Ogden canyon nm tba atb