The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1915-05-03
NONE GAN HELP CORONER SOLVE EHLERT MYSTERY Belief Grows That He Tied His Body to Escape Be coming 'tFloater." ;" PETERSEN, WHO WAS
 WITH HIM, IS FREED Police Satisfy Coroner That Man Held As Witness
 Has Told Truth.

In a further effort to solve the mystery of the death of Joseph Ehlert, whose body was found se- curely knotted to his .sloop in the powerhouse channel last Wednesday afternoon, Coroner PheIan held an examination of several witnesses to- day. The coroner was unable to glean any definite information that would clear up the strange cireum- stance of the rope knotted to the sailors leg, and holding the corpse to the sloop, Democrat
 Among the watermen the belief is growing that Ehlert took his own life. They do not attempt to explain why he wanted to drown himself. But they explain the presence of the rope in the natural aversion that seafaring men entertain to the idea of. becoming ''f1oaters' as they describe corpses that have been long exposed to the elements in the water.
 They maintain that Ehlert tied himself securely, then 1eaped into the water, and drowned himself, knowing that the rope would disclose his corpse when search was made for him.
 Ehlert's body was found about 3 o'clock on last Wednesday afternoon in 1S feet of water underneath his vessel The sIoop was anchored about a hundred yards off shore in the power house channel Capt Ehlert was tied to his boat with a cloVe knot and half hitch on, his left leg which sailors who found his body say twas put there to stay His dog was in the cabin of the sIoop barking continuously and the matches were open.
 Upon the report of detective Ser geant George Fox, detailed to investi- gate the death Of Capt. Ehlert. Man dus Peterson. of the vessel was releas- ed from a technical charge of breach of the peace in the city court to-day. The report of Detective Fox shows the statements of Peterson have been found correct.
 MrsL Louisa, EA4ert, widow of the captain. is not willing to accept the suicide theory and is convinced tha1 her husband met with foul play. She parted from him the Monday nigh April 26. He was in usual goot l spirits and told her of plans he had 1 to get other cargoes besides oyster. which would keep him busy with hi vessel all summer. He was not il >f1nancia1 straits and when his bod. was recovered $54.70 was found il
 Petersen, however, who was Capt \ Fh1ert's cook and crew, said the mas l ter of the Democrat had been actinl strangely of late and that on the las "trip they made together with a carg, of oysters from Norwalk to Kenosia 1 L.. T., Capt. Ehlert had hardly ad l dressed him except to give order concerning the sailing of the vessel Previously. he said, the captain hat always been jovfaI and quite ta1kative 1 He said he had shared whiskey witt Capt. Ehlert but that the latter neve drank to excess. The last whiske. he had with Capt. Ehlert was thre weeks ago in Norwalk.
 Harry Dixon, oyster buyer at Keno sia, had remarked to him that Capt 1 Eh1ert seemed depressed and not hi usual self. Petersen said that on tn 1 way back to Bridgeport Capt. Ehler had told him his trips were not pay ing and that he complained bitterI. of wait of three days they had il NorwaIk harbor before they receives a cargo for their-last trip. The. 1 came to Bridgeport expecting to ge
 oysters from here for Rockaway. 1 Last Monday Capt. Esh1ert gave hin al $10 on account of $3O for his Apri
 salary. Petersen said he went ashor
 with the captain about 2 o'clock Mon
 day afternoon and the latter caution
 ed him to be aboard early Tuesda morning as he wanted to sail ther liE1e and the captain had one glass O
 beer each before parting. He sai
 the captain seemed to be in goo
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