0 , . THE MORXIXG OREGOXIAX. WEDNESDAY. AUGUST 19. 1903.
ii 1 1 1 i i ri r iiimnr if r
I'M ULflL I - R- ?? VicVc. Hill t- ikk . n 1 I
NQU1RY
GUSTO
MYSTERY
Officials Discover Discrepan
cies in Original Account
of Wood's Death. -
ACCIDENT STORY DOUBTED
Authorities Will Continue InYestl
gation and Express Opinion "
That Developments May Oc
cur at Any Time.
GASTON. Or.. Aug. 18. (Special.)
Further investigation by the officials
of this county has only intensified the
mystery surrounding the death of Rob
ert M. Wood, whose mutilated body wm
found beside a barn on a farm a mile
and a half east of this place early yes
terday morning. - '
By order of District Attorney Tongue,
a second and supplemental investiga
tion was held this afternoon, the Cor
oner and a physician representing the
District Attorney's office conducting it.
Inexplicable discrepancies in the orig
inal account of the tragedy were dis
closed, and almost impossible theories
were advanced, but the result of the
second investigation has revealed little
evidence, upon which the official may
act..
The investigation, however, is by no
means ended, for the officials will proceed
quietly but vigorously to unravel the mys
tery surrounding the young man's death.
Portions of his anatomy were removed
before the burial today, and these, with
other pieces of alleged evidence, will be
scientifically analyzed.
Strange Story of Death.
The life story of the 'young Britisher
who was killed is strange, but far strang
er is the story of his death. Born in
England, of excellent family it is said. 23
years ago. he emigrated to this country,
leaving kindred and friends at the age of
24. and became a farmhand. He came di
rect to Oregon and went to the home of
H. D. Jennings in Washington County.
They had known each other in England,
H is declared. Wood came here three
years ago.
Jennings lives on n. farm a mile and a
" half east of here. H and his wife have
been here for several years, having emi
grated from England and located in a
section where many of his countrymen
lived. He bears an excellent reputation.
Under the terms of an agreement which
has never been made public Wood began
to work for Jennings, making Jennings'
house his home. The only other occu
pants of the home were Jennings, his wife
and two children. It was shown at tha
Inquest yesterday that Jennings was in
debted to Wood in the sum of 1700.
On his arrival here Wood attended sev
eral social affairs in tha neighborhood.
Within a month, however, he apparently
lost interest In such matters, and re
mained almost constantly at home. Ha
never asked for a day off, but worked
steadily, remaining at home In the even
ings. He frequently wrote home, though
little is known of his people. (
Sunday nigm no reiuaou w w."
ani eiont An a. mt in the rear. Ha
arose very early In the morning and pro
ceeded with his work. Jennings also rose
early. He saw Wood going through the
pasture after the cows ana la minuses
later found him dead. He heard no
--..-J .V.-..K.H TVnH n.n within e&sv call
BUUUUi lllVUh" ,. w -
Ing distance had his distress necessitated
his calling out tor aia.
Theory of Neighbors.
Whether or not the young English
man met his death at human hands or
by the animals he was attending may
never be known. However, the theory
advanced by Jennings and generally
accepted by his neighbors In that con
nection Is interesting.
Wood drove the cows from the pas
ture towards the barn, it is said. One
of the cows must have entered the
door leading to the feed alley, and he
followed to drive her out. He seised
a stick and as he entered the place the
cow, frightened, started to go out
through the door she entered. The feed
alley is narrow and she brushed
against him. The stick was between
him and the cow and one ena of It was
pressed against his heart. As the cow
continued her efforts to get out, the
slick was pressed harder against him
until finally it penetrated the body,
breaking a rib. and going almost
through his heart. An explanation of
the fact that his body was found six
feet outside the feed alley entrance,
which is fully 30 feet from where the
stick was found Is that he tried to
reach the house and fell Just outside
the door.
None of the cattle on tne place today
showed an abrasion of the skin and the
stick which, in case of such an acci
dent he must have removed himself
from the wound, shows only faint
traces of blood. Indeed. It has never
been determined whether the stains
upon the stick are those of human
blood. Coroner K. C. Brown today
took the stick to Hillsboro. where an
analysis will be made.
Statement of Jennings.
"We rose early yesterday morning,
as we do every morning," said Mrs.
Jennings. "It had been agreed be
tween us that Wood should do the
chores about the barn, while I pre
pared breakfast. He told me that he
had not slept in his room that night
because it was too hot. Ten minutes
after he had gone out I saw him going
after the cows and he must have re
turned almost Immediately.
"In about 15 minutes I went to the
barn and found him lying several feet
from the door. The door was open
and. several of the cows were in their
stalls. I called to him and rushing to
his side tried to raise him but discov
ered that he was dead. Then I went
to the home of a neighbor and asked
him to go for a doctor.
Dr. W. D. Wood, of .iillsboro. who
at the request of the District Attorney,'
aided in the second' investigation, re- j
moved portions of the body surround
ing the wound. This was done for the
purpose of ascertaining whether an
other wound might have first been in
flicted, the one from the stick being
made to conceal the previous wound.
"I am certainly at a loss to know
how the young man's death occurred."
said Dr. Wood, "but there are many
strange things in connection with the
case. For instance. I don't, see how
the wound could have been caused by
the stick without leaving more blood
upon It. There are only a couple of
Inches of the end of the stick which
show traces of blood."
Coroner Brown still believes that
the young man's death was the result
of accident. The remains were buried
this afternoon by Victor H. Limber, of
Forest Grove. It is said by the offi
cials of this county that further de
velopments in the case may occur at
any time.
Ticket Sales at La Grande.
ja, ORAXDE, Ox... Aug. IS. (Special.)- 1
During the year ending June 30. 190S, the
O. R. & N. sold tickets in the La Grande
passenger office amounting to S11S.7S4, ac
cording to a statement made public today.
This Is an increase of more than J21.000
over the year before, and speaks well for
the business in passenger circles in this
city. . -
FALL INTO'HOOD CREVASSE
Guide' and Six Men Scramble Out
Without Serious Injuries.
CLOTTn CAP INN. Or.. Aug. 18. (Spe
clal.) Yesterday the .guide with a
party of six ascended to the summit of
Mount Hood, and, upon reacning wi
end of the ridge coming down, all fell
Into the big crevasse. Aside from
scratches and bruises no harm resulted.
Mrs. Barendrick. whose husband was
one of tho party, saw the accident
through her field glasses and was in
great suspense until she saw the seven
men climb out into view on the snow
field. Lee Yen, the cook at the Inn,
was along, and is the first Chinaman
to have reached the summit of the
mountain.
The party consisted of Alex J. Car
son. New Jersey; T. Frossard, San
Francisco; W. G. Hathaway, Portland;
DEATH ENDS 155 YEARS OF
WEDDED LIFE.
The Late Mr. Mnrsrret J. Alllng
hnm, of Halsey.
HALSEY. Or.. Aug. 18. fSpe
cial.) Mrs. Margret J. .Ailing
ham, who died here Friday, was
born in Monmouth, ' 111., Decem
ber 7. 183o. and, with her parents,
crossed the plains In 1852. set
tling near Buena Vista, where
one year later she was married
to David Warren Alingham. The
young people came to Linn Coun
ty and located land near Halsey,
where most of the 55 years of
their wedded life was spent Be
sides her aged husband, she
leaves eight children W. M. and
C. T. Aliingham and Miss Dolly,
of Halsey; Mrs. Lura More, of
Brownsville; Mrs. A. Bailey, of
Salem; L. E., O. D. and A. G.
Aliingham, of Prlnevllle, jfnd her
only sister, Mrs. Martha Stump,
of Salem.
Arthur Barendrick. Arthur Cunning. Lee
Yen, Cloud Cap 'Inn, and Hark Wel
gandt, guide.
ITALIAN WORKMEN STRIKE
Seven Hundred Laborers on North
ern Pacific Want Iilgher Pay.
-.
TACOMA Wash., Aug. IS. About 700
Italian track laborers on the Northern
Pacific Railroad are on strike for
higher pay, and it is thought that by
the end of this week the number will
be 1000.
The strikers have been ordered to
vacate the box cars in which they
are living. They have refused to do
so. and there may be trouble over their
failure to move. Practically the entire
Pacific division is effected.
Speculation as to Who Is
Building Up Deschutes.
ENGINEERS IN THE DALLES
Presence of North Bank Employes
Leads to Belief Great Northern
Seeks Route to Central Oregon
and Harrlman Territory.
THE DALLES. Or.. Aug. 18. (Special.)
The presence of N. W. Bethel, locating
engineer of the Hill lines, simultaneously,
with that of W. F. Nelson, of Seattle, the
promoter and principal owner of the Ore
gon Trunk Railroad, has started agam
the surmise that James J. Hill Is pre
paring to make good the veiled threat
spoken by him at the memorable banquet
in Portland three years ago this Fail,
when he made public his Intention to
build the North Bank Railroad.
The Oregon Trunk, like the North
Coast Railway, is a fatherless realty. No
one seems to know where it comes from,
no one knows, where it is going to. and no
one knows who is actually behind It.
Nevertheless, continual, though gradual
progress is made.
The Oregon Trunk; so far as Is grven
out, is to run up the Deschutes valley.
The stockholders of record are a coterie
of Seattle capitalists, but from the day of
incorporation It has been generally taken
for granted that they are figureheads,
concealing the actual backers of the en
terprise. Additional Interest In the presence of
the gentlemen In The Dalles is lent by
reason of their having been preceded only
a few days by a large surveying party
which is now working south from the Co
lumbia River.
Mr. Hill's statement, which by hie hear
ers was taken as a threat, came at the
time when the Harrlman projects of
building a road between Portland and Se
attle and of giving the Canadian Paciflo
an outlet down the Columbia River first
became known. Mr. Hill had been felici
tated on his announcement and promi
nent business men of Portland had
spoken with some bitterness of the vast
undeveloped district of Oregon tributary
to the Harrlman lines. At this point Mr:
Hill made the statement, which in effect
was that possibly when the North Bank
project had been brought to completion
ha mitrht hvp an interesting announce
ment to make In connection with the de
velopment of Interior Oregon.
SB
A run on bathing suits
for, little men and big
boys of all ages. No
Summer goods stored
away to carry over.
This is NOT a ware
house but a ready-to-wear
house.
All bathing suits at
cut prices. .
166-170 Third Street
NEED SKULL FOR EVIDENCE
Necessary to Determine If Perdue
Was Shot From Front 'or Rear.
HILLSBORO. Or.. Aug. 18. (Special.)
It is more than likely that the re
mains of Elmer Perdue, murdered by
Walter Johnson, will again be ex
humed, in the light of Johnson's confession.
Johnson maintains that he shot per
due in the forehead, and, from all indi
cations, the murdered man was snot
from the side or back. In any event
the skull w:il be needed by the state
In nrenarine and trying the case in Cir
cuit Court, as it now appears that the
prisoner will stand trial on the grounds
of self-defense. Coroner E. C. Brown
will probably have the body exhumed
at once.
Johnscn was yesterday taken before
Judge Goodin, sitting as magistrate,
and admitted his name in answer to
the return of the John Doe warrant.
upon which he was arrested. Judge
Goodin gave him until Thursday morn
ing to secure counsel and to plead.
Prohls Urge Appeal.
HILLSBORO. Or., Aug. 18. (Special.)
The anti-saloon people here are urg
ing the County Board to appeal to the
Supreme Court the recent decision of
Judge McBrlde. declaring South Hills-
"boro wet. County Judge Goodin, chair-
an of the Commissioners Court, is
not in favor of making an appeal. He
says it would cost the county consider
able money and it would take the Su
preme Court perhaps a year to get a
decision, and by this time the prohibi
tionists can call another election.
NINE LINN TEACHERS FAIL
Forty-seven or 56 Aspirants Pass
Recent Examination.
iiovt fr- Anw- 18 fSneclal.)
rnrti'.E.vAYi nf the 56 aDDlicants for
teachers' certificates in the recent ex
amination In Linn County passed the
tests successfully. County School Su
perintendent W. L. Jackson and his
assistants completed the work of grad
ing the papers today and awarded the
following certificates:
Firat graae jessie nwu. i,n..io "
Edith McCourt, of Albany; W. H. Fuson. of
Aamsvllle; Llnnle B. Lerwlll, of Brownsville,
Ethel Miner, or Boaavwr. ueviSo ....
of Crabtree; Mary E. Thacker. of Tangent,
Ethel Shupe. of Roseburg.
Second grade Dorothy Fusel. Anna Engel,
Bessie E. Bryant, Ada M. Cowler. Maud
Collins, of Albany; Margaret Evans. Bessie A.
Brown, of Lebanon: Lillian Warmoth. Bertha
Wilson, of Brown.vllIe: Nellie Cyrus, of Cor-vallis-
Mary A. Hannah, of Sclo; Ernine .
Rathbun, of Monmouth: Nannie L. Dougherty,
of Halsey; Rova E. Hays, of Tangent; Carrie
Linn, of Salem.
Third grade Bmllla Dart. Carrie A. Mor
gan Nora I. Arnold. Mary Fink. Bessie
Thayer. Ethel Wallace, of Sclo; Ethel M.
Jacks, Rhoda Burnett. Rose Blerly. of Al
bany; Myrtle V. Sturm, Mabel Temple, Lena
Maurer. of Lebanon; Lewis K. Gell. Bessie
McClure. of Sweet Home: Verda 'Wood, lEthel
M Henderson, of Waterloo; Bessie M. Tru
love Maude I. Cox. of Tallman; Goldla Jones,
of Shelburn; Maude M. Epiey. of Jefferson;
Myrtle Cyrua of Corvallie; Esther GHbertson.
of Harrlsburg; Elma Armstrong, of Sodavtlle.
WHEAT YIELDS DOUBLED
Washington County Soil Enriched
by Dairying Last Ten Tears.
HILLSBORO, Or., Aug. 18. (Special.)
Dr. F. A. Bailey, who has traversed
this section for over 40 years, almost
daily, says that tUe present season is
the banner year for grain production in
Washington County.
This, he states, is due partly to the
Increase in tillable land as compared
with the past, but the real cause of the
increase is the fact that dairying for
ten years has so fertilized land that it
is producing almost double the grain
that it .did in the past. Wheat is going
40 bushels where it formerly went 18
to the acre, and 30 bushels where it
formerly yielded but IS.
I - ' - lHl-Ssif;''.''V " i
f , - -i ly. . t: : if -r-., v, , m )
fcf' -'V.,' ::;.,- - I is- ?' ' i,
I l-'-..r . I f ij ! x i !.- ;' J . I ; I :. J ;
' . . .vii,
k ..(: . J . v- '.jiU,- . .-i.. -.'' .:' -.,-:. -'.,. ':., .'.' .-.'. ';:': .. '-,:. ..;.;;: ::-:;:-:-x : .;
tAliai.'. '..ar,.. .w' rX -
SCENES ON JENNINGS' FARM, NEAR BUXTON, WHERE WOOD MET HIS DEATH
' i' ' Vi at
B4.RX IX WHICH WOOD IS SUPPOSED TO HAVE MET HIS DEATH (X) MARKS SPOT WHERE BODY
WAS FOUND.
r
Ml-
r- $
iff
8 - '
v X-
it'
j n!K-:s t
i I ;
RESIDENCE OF H. D. JENNINGS AT GASTON.
GENUINE HAND - WOVEN
ELASTIC HOSIERY BANDAGES
We wish to call particular attention to our Elastic Hosiery
Section. We want Deorle on this Coast to know about our fa-
' cilities for supplying first-class Elastic Hosiery, Belts, Band
ages and Supporters on short notice. We want you to know
that our Elastic Goods are made in our store, that they are ,
MADE FROM THE VERY BEST MATERIALS
OBTAINABLE AND EVERY PIECE GUARANTEED
We employ only expert weavers who use the most improved
hand loom in the making of our goods.
Experienced lady and gentleman fitters in attendance.
Mail Orders Given Careful Attention
Ask For Illustrated Circular
Ik
THERMOS BOTTLES
FOR PICNICS,
AUTO TRIPS,
HUNTERS,
FISHERMEN,
TRAVELERS, Etc.
Keeps Contents
Hot 24 Hours
Keeps Contents Cold 24 Hours
A VICTOR
OR EDISON
Delivered to
Your Home on
One Month's
pWFREE TRIAL
HEAR THE BRYAN RECORDS
FOUNTAIN
PENS
CONKLIN'S ,
WATERMAN'S
PARKER'S
Every Fountain Pen sold by us Is
guaranteed.
- YOU TAKE NO CHANCES.
If the Pen don't write to suit you, re
turn it and we will make it right. Pens
Filled Free.
Calling Cards Printed
While You Wait
lOO Cards 35c
We Also Print
PROFESSIONAL
AND
BUSINESS CARDS
WOODARD, CLARKE 8 CO
Exchange 1 1
FOURTH AND WASHINGTON STS. A6171
FATHER AND SON DROWN
Wife "and Mother Hfcars Cries of
Distress, but Too Late.
ASTORIA, Or., Aug. 18. (Special.)
Word was received today that p. L.
Chapman, a rancher residing on Nasel
River, in Pacific County. Washington, and
his 19-year-old son Ward, were drowned
last evening in the south fork of Salmon
Creek. The day had been unusually
warm, and the men. after being at work
all day. went 'in bathing in the creek- It
is supposed that, being overheated, they
were taken with cramps, for a few mo
ments after they plunged into the water
Mrs. Chapman heard their cries for help,
but was unable to reach them in time.
The bodies were recovered shortly after
ward. Deeds Land to Son When in Debt.
- ALBANY, Or., Aug. 18. (Special.) As
serting that Jackson L. Rosecrans deeded
away his land prior to his death to de
fraud creditors, H. F. Merrill, administra
tor of Rosecrans' estate, has brought suit
in the State Circuit Court here to set
aside a deed Rosecrans gave his son. Jay
Rosecrans. The deed was made out Jan
uary 11, 1908, and Rosecrans died in April.
It is asserted In the complaint that when
Jackson L. Rosecrans deeded away his
land he was indebted to various per
sons in the total sum of 1266.
Many Campers on McKenzie.
EUGEXH, Or., Aug. 18. (Special.)
Travel on the McKenzie Is heavier this
year than at any previous season, say
people who have lived on the famous
stream for years. The number of people
from the outside who camp on the Mc
Kenzie and at the Springs is Increasing
every year, and every resort reports an
increase in the number of visitors. Fish
ing, however, is not extra good this
season.
Cosper Safe in Portland.
HILLSBORO, Or., Aug. 18. (Special.)
Portland afternoon newspaper stories
to the effect that the millman with the
Johnson party, above' Buxton, prior to
Perdue's murder, has not been seen
since the trip, and that he, too, might
have been killed, are far fetched. The
man in question was named Cosper,
and he resides in East Portland. He
has been seen and interviewed by
Sheriff Hancock, and will doubtless be
a witness for the state when Johnson
is tried.
Believe Eugene Bonds Legal.
EUGENE. Or., Aug. 18. (Special.) It
seems probable that the Willamette Val
ley Company will accept $140,000 in bonds
In payment for their plant, in the face
of the fact that Morris & Co, the firm
that had agreed to take the other J160.000
of the ls3ue, have declared them illegal.
Old Mining Town Burned.
CARSON CITY, Nev., Aug. 18. Em
pire City, three miles from here, a
once-flourishing city during the bonan
za days of Virginia City, was visited by
fire at 2:36 this morning, destroying
six houses, almost the entire village
and cremating alive John Bradbury, a
pioneer of that place.
Is your mouth similar In any way to th
above? If o. no need to wear a wobbly,
unusable partial plate or 111-flttlng ordinary
bridge work. The Dr. Wirt system of
"TEETH WITHOUT PLATES"
The reeult of 21 years' exoerlece. the new
way of replacln teeth In the mouth teeth,
in fact, teeth In appearance, teeth to chew
your food upon, as ifm did upon your nat
ural one. Our force 1 o organized w
can do your entire crown, bridge or plate
work In a day If necessary. Positively pain
less extracting. Only Wgh-class, acleuUflo
w0rk' WISE DENTAL CO., IXC.
Dr W A. Wise. Mgr.. 21 years In Portland.
Second floor Falling bldg.. Third and
Washington streets, office hours, 8 A. M.
to 8 P. M. Bundays. 9 to 1 P. M. Painless
extracting. 50c: plates. 5 up. Phones A
and Main 2029