The Mankato free press., 1921-12-30
DEATH IS BRINGING
FORTH AN INQUIRY
Tragic Passing of Thomas
Baldwin, Near Waseca
FOUL PLAY HINT HEARD
However, County Officials DE-
Not Believe That Murder
Was Committed

Waseca, Mimi. December 29.-The
Waseca Journal says: few circum-
stances that have come TO light con-
Hected with the death Thomas Bald
win, lead some people to suspicion
that there might nave teen foul play.
The state school hoy is Icing held
Without charge and an investigation
il going on as Journal goes 10 press.
II is not likely, however, that the
theory OF foui play viii be estanlish-
ID, according to the officials.
The people Of St. Mary and other
parts OF The county were shocked tc
learn Friday morning that the lifeless
body of Thomas Baldwin had been
found in the fartherest corner Of the
hay loft of the tarn on the W. ].
Priebe farm in ST. Mary. 1t was evil
dent that death was caused by cash
across the throat, cut with a razor.
Mr. Baldwin owned a farm OF his
own in st. Mary, but had lived upon
and carried on the Priebe farm the
past year. Neighbors who conversed
with him on Thursday and PEOPLE
who met him in this city within q
lew days say he appeared to be in
good health and in his usual cheerful
frame Of mind.
Mrs. Baldwin had been in Waseca
for several days visiting her parents.
Mr. Baldwin and state school boy
about seventeen years OF age were
at home on the farm The boy went
over to a neighbor Fred Mii, =
about o'clock Thursday afternoon
and remained there until about mid
night. On his way TO his room he
noticed rife upol
it no thought In the morning he
found blood upon the floor ant
ing that something was wrong, notifi-
ed the neighbors. The search that
followed revealed the body in the
barn.
Decided Inquest Was Unnecessary
Coroner Blanc Hr Mile" ~
county attorney and several others
went out from this city early Friday
forenoon. After viewing the body the
coroner decided that an inquest was
unnecessary, as it appeared to he
ficted. =
Examination Of the -remises leads
70 the conclusion that the unfortunate
man first used the rife, firing a cou-
pie of shots into his body. Blood
stains led to bed room,' where he
evidently went after the shooting,
and took from its case his razor, then
went to the haymow and completed
the deed. When the body was found
the razor was still tightly grasped in
his hand.
No reason can be ascribed for
the rash deed, as the home life was
pleasant and nothing in his business
affairs could cause him to become
respondent. 1t is believed that he
must have been momentarily de-
ranged.
Mr.. Baldwin was born in this coun
try about fifty four years ago, and
had spent his entire life in the county
His parents. Mr.. and Mrs. John
Baldwin, were early settlers here.
About thirteen years ago Mr.. Bald
win was married to Miss Agnes
Vaughn daughter OF Mr.. and Mrs
James Vaughn of this city. They had
no children. Besides the wife there
are surviving three brothers, William
Timothy and John, all residents OF
his county. Two nephews also sur
vive, Sylvester and Rayheld Hag-
gerty.
The deceased was a member of the
Catholic church in St Mary and the
funeral services took place there MolI.
day morning and interment was
made in the nearby cemetery