The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1926-06-14
OFFICIALS
BELIEVE MAN
WAS MURDERED
Gruesome Discovery M de
Late Last Evening BY
Railroad Employees
MANS NECKWAS BROKEN
Body Had Been in the Water
Three or Four Weeks
Badly Decomposed
MANS NECK WAS BROKEN

The badly decompOsed body of a
man was found in Apple Creek last
night just before dusk .and local al-
thoritics today arc working on. the
theory that the man was murdered
and his body disposed of in the creek
in order that his attackers could get
away with an automobile which he is
believed to have had with him. The
body had been in the water for at
least three or four weeks.
The discovery was made by North
ern Pacific section men who were
walking along the creek bed last even
ing looking for suitable place in
which to swim. They Immediately
notified local officials and Coroner
r. ). GObel and several men from
Sheriff Albin Hedstrom's office went
to the creek and took charge of the
body. The mans neck was broken.
according to the doctor who examined
the body after it was brought here,
but the body was in such an adj
vanced stage of decomposition that
it was impossible to tell. he said,
whether death had been caused by
violence or by drowning.
The body was lying on it's face in
about seven inches of water, part Of
it being above the water. The man
was fully dressed in heavy winter
clothing. except that his shoes were
unlaced and he wore no socks. He
wore overalls and heavy leather
jacket tightly buttoned. The body
was found in the creek about two
miles east Of the Patterson place.
south of the Northern Pacific railway
tracks, and about one-half mile from
the Red Trail. dt was at the foot Of
i bank about II feet high and au-
thorities express the opinion that the
man was killed. and his body carried
along the creek to that point and
thrown over the bank.
Had Money and Papers
Theft Of his personal belongings ap-
parently was not the motive for tho
killing. if the man was murder red. for
his watch. keys, So in change. and q
travellers check for $40 were found
in his clothing. The watch had stop.
ped at three mintues after 12.
In his clothing was also found an
automobile insurance policy made out
TO n. r. Saur. covering 1925 model
Ford coupe, motor number 1l.9a7. 800,
which, the policy stated. had been
purchased by Mr.. Saur in July. 1925.
The policy was issued by the Foster
County bank at Darlington. N. D.. on
May 3. this year. and said that the
car was usually kept in a private ga
rage on lot 8. block a., west side.
Darlington. The policy was signed
by J. c. Hoffcrt Of Darlington. and
stated that the man owning the car
was painter and auctioncer. The
travellers check was also issued by
the Foster County bank and the car
rying case contained the stubs of
three other checks which had been
torn out. The travellers check was
made out to VIM. Sauer.
Among his papers was also a life
insurance loan agreement blank, dated
March ~. 1924. and made out to VIM.
j. Sauer Of Croker, S. D.
Came From South Dakota
Mr.. Hoffert of Darlington told Cor
orncr Gobel over the telephone early
today that he remembered issuing the
automobile insurance policy to Mr..
Saur and that the man secured trav-
eler's checks for total of $50. He
had about 5000 with him ut that time,
Hoffert said. Saur had been around
Darlington for some time but came
tHeIe IIoHi OOuuu U0kOta ana Ol0 not
make Darlington his permanent resi-
dencc. From his conversation HQf-
fert believed Saur planned. to go on,
trip soon after insuring the auto
mobile and getting the travellers
checks. t'f - bth -
Communicating with the authori.
ties at Croker, s. D., this morning.
Coroner Gobel learned that the body
found here answers the description
! of William Sauer, formerly of Crock
er, and that the man has a brother.
H. +. Sauer, who is farmer living
in that vicinity. The police there
knew little concerning either Of the
two men or their recent whereabouts.
but are investigating today and more
information is expected later.
If the body is not claimed within
day or two it will be buried here.