Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1913-02-21


he W, II. wilon undertaking rooms
over the body of Harry II, Gross. of
Washington, d. c., who was found
dead along the lledgesyllle road car.
" Thursday morning. So the death
Of Gross remains a mystery in so far
rs attendant circumstances IRE con
cerned.
II is now generally believed by
those eonversant with some Of tie
faets Of the case that Cross and
some of his follow laborers at the
construction work IN progress at
Cumbo, engaged In fight Wednes.
day evening on their way back from
town, and that Cross was knocked
down probably with -and
being unable to rise to his feet was
left lying along the road about a
mile aud half from town where he
died from loss of blood and ex-
posture in the cold night air
One OF the principal witnesses at
he Inquest was Jefe Nolan, who
says he came to Cnmbo last Deem.
Der AS told before In these col
inns, Moan said, after bis arrest,
that while warming his hands at a
fire built along the iedgesvllle road
last Wednesday evening he was at
tackled by two men aud beaten and
robbed; and that when he woke up
the next morning he said he found
himself lying beside the dead body
Of Cross. about rs feet from where
the fire was. ,Nolan's testimony at
he coroner's inquest was substantial.
the same, and the jury failed to
connect him with the murder Of Cross
whom he said he had not seen that
day at all
Among the other witnesses at the
inquest were Dr. G. T., Clay, w r.
BrfSlnon, Frank Mallalieu, William
Miller, J, w Porterheld, Charles Van
Metre. John Lemaster and Wiley
Buxton. Nearly all OF them testified
10 having seen Cross and three or
four companions on their way back
from town Wednesday evening, but
none saw the fight in which Cross
is suppo sed to have met his death,
nor did they know Of such alterca.
ton. That robbery had nothing to
do with 1t is evidenced by the fact
that fifteen dollars that Cross had in
his hip pocket was undisturbed, but
his torn clothing and the finding of
two caps and two whiskey bottles
near the scene would seem to indi.
cate that there had been drunken
fight that evening and Cross death
was the result of it, But who the
men arc that we're with him at the
time is still unknown.
At first It was believed that Cross
skull was fractured by blow on the
head but subsequent examination
by Drs. CLAY and Tonkin revealed
that such was not the case
Body Sent to Washington.
Mr.. Joseph A. Bapetti, an under.
taker, and Mr.. E, r. Southern,
stepson Of Harry II. Cross, came up
from Washington yesterday eve
Ming to arrange for the disposition
of the body From them # was
learned that the late Mr.. Cross resid-
ed at 327 + street. n. e. Washington,
but left home about nine months
ago; that he Is survived by his wife,
three children, two stepchildren and
three sisters, all OF Washington. He
was 81 years OF age aud was an ex.
pert machinist He worked for
years in the Washington navy yard,
but drink lost him hts position and
was eventually the indirect cause OF
his death. He was born IN Washing
lOn ana NdAtit " kNhAb1 70 'RNN
d laborer last fall lie was from a
good family and was man Of more
than ordinary intelligence. he had
many friends in Washington who
were grieyed to learn of his shock
ing death which, at first, was thought
TO be case Of coldbIooded murder
A short service was held IN Under.
taiNer wllen's establishment this al
ternoon, conducted By Rev Father
FaIlon, or ST. Joseph's Catholic
church TRe wife and sisters q the
deceased came Or At Vooii today aad
attended the service. ACCOMPANIED
b these ladies and Messrs- RapeHi
ana southern the romans were sent
% Washington Oh No. s this after
noon for burial in The. Congressional
cemetery.