The Alaska daily empire., 1922-07-27

No evidences of a struggle were
found and it is believed that the
first blow rendered Capt. Lott I'M
conscious and was probably fatal
The presence of two holes in the
head and the smashed condition OF
the skull indicates that several
blows were struck with terrific
force.
Robbery Is Suspected.
While no motive for the murder
has been established, officials be-
lieve that robbery was committed
after the killing was done. A search
of Capt. Lofts cabin failed to dis
close a cent in it or any of the
clothing found therein He is known
to have had very little money, but
is said to have always had little
money in his pockets. Nothing
was found in them, however, not
even a pocketknife. The fact that
he was generally known to have
been in straitened circumstances is
believed by officials to preclude the
idea he was murdered for money or
other possessions.
1t is virtually certain that the
crime was committed sometime
Tuesday night. The body showed
almost no signs of decomposition al
though it had been lying in the hot
sun all of yesterday. Had it been
80 exposed to the sun both Tuesday
and Wednesday, said DR.. Dawes, de-
composition would have been much
more noticeable.
Was Lonely Spot.
Capt Lofts cabin is located on
the Gold Belt beach property prob
ably one and one-half miles below
Thane. For several years he has
been conducting chicken ranch
and selling eggs and chickens To-
cally. 1t is in an isolated spot and
visitors there were not numerous.
The chicken houses are located
about one quarter of a mile from
the cabin.
For about two years, Capt. Lott
had been missing chickens from the
ranch and had mentioned the fact
to number of his friends here.
From the disrobed condition in
which the body was found and its
position officials believe that he
either heard disturbance at the
chicken house or was summoned
from the cabin sometime Tuesday
night; that he did not take time to
dress, merely arising from the bed.
slipping on his shoes and went i'm
mediately outside. He is believed
to have been attacked almost as
soon as he left the cabin. Both
chicken houses were locked and
there were no signs of unusual dis
order there when the coroner's jury
visited the premises yesterday. On
this account, the theory that he was
summoned from the cabin and kill
ed is favored by officials.
Was Pioneer of Country
The murdered man was pioneer
of this country. He first came here
in 1887 from Washington State and
remained for sometime. Later he
went into the Interior. He was
steamboat man and operated on
Interior rivers.
In 1910 he returned here and has
made it his home since that time
He was interested in the Gold Belt
property and during last years has
earned a livelihood from his chicken
ranch. He was a close friend OF
R. P. Nelson and generally made
his headquarters at Mr.. Nelson S
store on his weekly trips to town.
Mr.. Nelson said today that Capt
Lott always came to town on Sat
urday every week bringing Is to 70
dozen eggs which he sold to regular
customers. He came as usual last
Saturday which was the last time
he is known to have been seen alive
although it is possible that he had
been seen at his place by persons
going down the Channel.
Native of England.
Capt. Lott was native of Eng
land but had been in the United
States for the greater part of his
life He was SO years of age. lie
lived in Port Townsend many years.
coming there more than 40 years
ago. There he was associated with
Capt. l.. B. Hastings and others in
local transportation companies. IL
was at Port Townsend that he &C
CURED his papers and became mas
ter of various steam vessels. Those
who knew him well said he was
man of good ability, the strictest
honesty and a pleasing but modest
personality. He made friends read
lily and held them and was wide
reader and studious in his habits.
Had No Enemies.
Lacking an established motive
the murder at the outset assumed
the proportions of mystery. II
he had made any enemies or had
any bitter nmities they have not yet
been discovered. Mr.. h. p. Nelson
said as far as he knew Capt. Lott
had no enemies