Jasper County Democrat, Volume 17, Number 58, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 October 1914 — REMINGTON MAN NOT MURDERED [ARTICLE]

REMINGTON MAN NOT MURDERED

But Eell From Monon Train, Is Relief of Coroner and Lafayette ...» Officers. Speaking of the tragic death of Clarence Hobson, a brother of James Hobson of Remington, at Lafayette on the night of Oct. 17, mention of which was briefly made in a lagt week's issue of The Democrat, and whom it was thought had been murdered tor his money, the Remington Press saysj,

The shocking intelligence that Clarence Hobson, brother of James Hobson of this place, had met a tragic death on the Monon railroad at Lafayette Saturday night, reached here Sunday morning. There were no details of the accident at first but suppositions as to his trade eud were later verified by the following dispatch from Lafayette Monday morning. "The lifeless body of Clarence Hobson, of Salem, was found beside the Monon railroad tracks, fifty feet west of the Fourth street bridge, shortly before five o'clock Sunday morning, by Jacob Meissnest, who lives at 536 South Fourth street. Mr. Meissnest was in the yard of his home, when he looked down the track and saw the body. He summoped Frank Gribling, who was passing and they went down to the body. They saw that the man was dead and notitfied the police. Officers Younker and Acheson took the lifeless form to the Evans parlors in the city ambulance. Some letters in the coat pocket led to the identity of the man and his relatives were notified of his tragic death. "At noon his brothers, James, of Remington, Milhurn, of Fowler, and •leptha A., of Salem, arrived. When they learned that no money or valuables had been found in the clothing they informed the police that it was their belief their brother had met with foul play. James Hobson told the police that his brother had $65 and two watches on his person when he left Remington Saturday morning.

"Dectective Sergeant Kluth was detailed to investigate the case. He and Coroner Roy V. Hannell worked until late Sunday evening, before they became convinced that a crime had not been committed. Shortly after the suspicions of Hobson’s brother were told the police, a hat that had been found by the Monon watchman at Romrnig street, was turned over to the police. Hobson's hat was found at the side of the body.

“At 4 o’clock Sunday afternoon the officers had the Monon back a box car under the bridge and on the seventh I-beam from the east end, they found human hair, which they believe came from the head of Hobson. This fact convinced the officers that Hobson had met death by being struck on the head while riding on the top of a train. When Hobson's lifeless body was found, there was nothing to lead the officers to believe that a crime had been committed. He had two pocket books, which were empty, and in his hip pocket. None of the pockets of his clothing was turned insidp out and the only marks on the body were two fractures of the skull at the base of the brain. 1

"Not satisfied with the finding of the hair oq the I-beam of the bridge, Detective Kluth continued the investigation until late Sunday night and learned that Hobson was riding south bound. Monon passenger No. 3. When the train pulled out Sunday morning one of tfie, waitresses employed at the Gillian dairy lunch saw a man riding the bumpers, between the mail and baggage cars. She Accompanied Detective K,luth to the Evans parlors and postively identified the body and clothing of Hobson as that, of the mam she saw on the train.

“It is the belief of Cbroner Hannelland the police department that Hobson had climbed to the top of the passenger train and that he thought the train had passed under the bridge and raised up, the I-beam striking him on the head ajnd knocking him from the train. When the officers informed Hobson's brothers of their discoveries, they became convinced their brother had not met with foul play ” Hobson had been staying here at Remington and was quite well known. During the absence of his

brother, James, last week the deceased had charge of the lunchroom here and upon the return of his brother he left Saturday morning, presumably for his home at Salem. The shocking news of his death as above related was the first that his brother here had heard of his whereabouts, after leaving here. The body was taken to Salem Monday morning for burial. The decedant was about 21 years of age, was born at Salem, Ind., and leaves to mourn his loss his parents, four brothers and three sisters.