Accused of Murder

A man was found dead in front of the Christiana saloon, at Blackduck, last Wednesday night, and the cause of his death is unknown. The victim was first thought to be a Norwegian named Cris Knudsen, but it lately developed that the man is unknown, and there is no reason to think that his name is Knudsen at all.

He was picked up off of the sidewalk and carried into the saloon where he died in a short time. The authorities of Blackduck notified the county coroner and an autopsy was held. It was generally supposed that the man took too freely of the flowing bowl and died in consequence thereof. A physician gave it as his opinion that the man died from heart disease.

Others believed there was foul play that he had been administered with knock-out drops in some saloon. Further developments show that the man was at work in the woods for Irwin & O'Brien of this city, in the vicinity of Blackduck, and had on his person over a hundred dollars the day previous to his death.

A Frenchman, named Paul Le May, who is now under arrest on the charge of this man's murder, was driving a dray team for one C. M. Waldron, and was on a drunk on the day of this man's death, gave away to Mr. and Mrs. Waldron information that brought him trouble and suspicion as to his own guilt. While at supper on the evening of the 26th, LeMay told Waldron that the dead man accused him of stealing his money on the night previous, and that he struck him a terrific blow under the jaw, and that the man who is now dead walked out on the sidewalk reeling somewhat, and then LeMay's chum, a big man, also went out and struck him with metal knuckles. LeMay says: "I knew it was all day with him."

To all this Mr. Waldron testified in court. So much suspicion centered around LeMay that his arrest was ordered. He was brought to Bemidji and a hearing given him Monday afternoon and a good share of the day Tuesday, and it was continued for ten days, when it is expected damaging evidence will be brought against him. LeMay denies everything, but that would be expected.

The Blackduck physicians were on the stand and testified that they found an abrasion on the cheekbone and also on the ear of the dead man: otherwise no physical injury was evident. No expert testimony was introduced and the internal condition of the body is not known. The remains of the man were buried at Blackduck, but later were exhumed by order of Coroner Henderson, who went to Blackduck Monday to make further examinations. There are two things that appear to be true, to-wit: The victim had on his person over a hundred dollars the day previous to his death, and after death he was found to be without money. The conclusion is that he was robbed and possibly murdered. The body is still unidentified. The Bemidji Pioneer Thursday December 4, 1902