The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1921-06-13
TOLD OF 1T
TO MEN HE MET
LATER AT NIGHT
Latter Made a Search But
Finding No Evidence,
Believed William (Sprig-
err Smith Was Mistaken
Party Evidently Had
Been Drinking

The body of John J. Murray, stone.
cutter employed in Bethel, and for
merly a resident of Graniteville, was
| found in the Stevens branch below the
railroad bridge near the Calder & Rich
ardson coal yards in Barre this morn
ing about o'clock by Adolpho Comolli
I'D George Stewart. The police were
notified and in the meantime the two
men dragged the body to the shore by
means of two long boards and spikes.
The police later learned that Murray
fell from the bridge last night about 9
o'clock while walking with William
Springer" Smith and Charles Lee, all
OF whom had been drinking. Smith was
located at his room at Is Central street
this morning and interrogated by
States Attorney +. b. Thomas AMI
Grand Juror William Wishart, who
were called upon the scene early this
morning Smith had but vague re-
membrance of the incident ana de-
clared he and Lee heard a splash and.
missing Murray, concluded he had
staggered off the edge of the bridge,
which drops about Is feet to the water
and into water about 10 feet in depth.
The body was found just few yards
below this spot, face downward.
IL I III 1.sxs,-
way and on Granite street met George
Stewart, Smith telling him they be-
lieved BLACK Jack" Murray had fallen
off the bridge and drowned. Smith then
left for his room and went to bed, but
Mr.. Stewart, with Robert Thompson of
l3 Granite street, with whom he lives,
went to the Granite street bridge and
searched along the river bank north
and south with powerful searchlights.
Finding no trace of any such incident,
they concluded that Smith had lied TO
them and returned to their home. The
Granite street bridge and the railroad
bridge span the same river but the spot
where MIR Murray lost his life is sew
eral hundred yards below that of the
street bridge.
Mr.. Smith was held at noon to-day
for further investigation and until the
police could locate Charles Lee. The
theorysis that Mdrray lost his life ac-
ridentally. but because of the fact that
the men did not report the accident to
the police or make further efforts 10
recover the man thorough investiga-
lion is being conducted.
District Health Officer c. H. Burr Of
examined the body about
J 80. after il had been taken from the
water. and was satisfied death was
'aused by drowning. DIR. Burr believed
he body TO have been in the water be-
ween eight and nine hours.
John J. Murray was born in Scots
md Mrs John J. Murray. Since he was
2 years old, he has resided in Barre
md vicinity, being, by trade, a stone
utter. He was widely known in Barre
md Graniteville In the latter place he
visited with relatives and
eft Graniteville about O'Clock TO re-
urn on the 4:55 train to Bethel, where
Ie has been lately employed.
Mr.. Murray was a member Of Hia-
ratha lodge. No. %. |. o. o. F.. Gran
te lodge. No. 35. F. and A. NJ. and
lso a member Of the Fraternsl Order
( Eagles.
His body. which was identified by his
rother. Alex Of Graniteville, was re-
moved to the Alex. Murray home on
earl street in Grsniteville 10 await
uncral services Mr. Murray leaves, be-
ides this brother. two others. Murdo
of GranitevilIe and Rodney j. Of
Windsor. and three sisters. Mrs.
harles Beattie Of Grauiteville. Mr~.
ohm Hardwick and Mrs. Margaret Ab-
Oft Of Denver. Col.