34y;
ID #3705
Coroner's inquest and obit:
Rock Springs Miner no. 46 November 11, 1897
C A Snyder Killed.
C A Snyder died at the State Hospital in this city on Saturday evening about 11 o'clock, from the effects of injuries on his head received early on the Thursday morning previous.
He arrived at his home about ten minutes to two o'clock on Thursday morning in a dazed condition and covered with blood. Mrs Snyder insisted upon sending for a doctor but he would not allow her. During Thursday he sat up and felt fairly well complaining principally of a pain to his foot on account of which he could not walk. He received some friends and talked sensibly to them. On Friday morning his condition grew worse and Mrs Snyder called in Dr W C Freeman, who made an examination of the wounds in testimony published below.
Coroner D L McNamara impaneled a jury and held an inquest which extended over Monday up to Tuesday afternoon. County attorney John H Cailes was present in the interest of the state, and the defendant was represented by attorney D.G. Thomas. Many witnesses were examined and every grain of evidence that could throw light upon the sad occurrence was obtained. As the public is deeply interested in learning the particulars, the MINER here presents the testimony of the witness without comment.
The first and most important witness called was Charles Rector, who testified:
"I live at Point of Rocks, Sweetwater county. I know Charles A Snyder. I know August Kimme. I think I was in Hartney's saloon on Wednesday night or Thursday morning. I saw Chas. A Snyder there twice. The first time he came in the front door. He said, "Kimme, you called a s---heel." He had a knife in his hand. He said, "Kimme, I am going to get even with you." Kimme picked up a glass and was wiping it with his apron and waiting for an order. When he saw the knife he grabbed a gun that was behind the bar and said, "You go out of here." Snyder threw up his hands and shouted two or three times and went out the front door. Two or three minutes after that he came around the side door and tried to get in that way. He then went around to the back door and stepped in. Kimme was shooting balls around on the billiard table at that time and said to Snyder, "You go out of here" and whirled around with the cue and struck him. He hit him here (designating the place) on the side of the head. He kept going backwards and I couldn't see him. There was nothing said after that, but I went out to the door and Snyder was going out through the side gate. He was kind of crawling on his hands and knees, and when I saw he could get along I came back in as I thought he might come back in and start up a new row. I saw him last going out through the gate or in that direction. He was drunk. I think he was in that condition when he came in. It might have been fifteen or twenty minutes from the first time he came in until he came in the second time. After Kimme struck him he went behind the bar and was wiping glasses with his apron. I told him he had better clean up the bar and I would see if Snyder was going home. He went out of the gate and I came away. The first time I went out, I noticed where he had gone out by the out house and then sort of crawled to the side gate, picked himself up and went home. I could see where he was going back toward the building to get out of that little side gate. Kimme struck him with a billiard cue. I think Jack Thrift got it. He sawed it off to make a cane of it. The cue broke when Kimme struck Snyder. Kimme was standing by the table and Snyder in front of him by the door on the west side of the table. Snyder did not turn to go out, he walked backwards and staggered out of the door. Snyder stood there after Kimme told him to go out. I don't recollect whether he said anything or not. He wasn't in there more than ten or fifteen seconds. I just looked up and Kimme looked up and saw him. He had a knife in his right hand. When he came in the second time through the back door, I don't know whether it was open or shut. I don't think Kimme noticed him trying to get in through the side door. I was the only one in the saloon with Kimme. Larry Curtain was the first man to enter the saloon after the trouble—in about fifteen or twenty minutes. Kimme was talking after he struck Snyder but the words I don't know. I think Snyder was struck on the forehead. There were about three feet between them. This happened some time after one o'clock. Curtain and I left Hartney's and went down to the Occidental after two o'clock. There was no one with Snyder."
CROSS EXAMINATION BY D.G. THOMAS
"When Kimme struck Snyder he just took hold of the point of the cue in one hand and the center he grabbed with the other hand and just turned it over and struck him. He held it with his two hands. No, he did not fall. I don't remember whether the blow knocked his hat off or not. Snyder had a pocket knife in his hand. Couldn't say whether it was open or shut. It was a dark colored knife. I had no conversation with Kimme after Snyder went out the first time. I am positive he had a knife in his hand. (Knife presented.) I couldn't say if that is the knife or not. It looks like it, I didn't see the blade. Snyder did not make a break to put the knife into Kimme. He just walked in. I don't remember whether (crease in paper) them or not, but Kimme said, "You had better get out of here." Kimme struck him only once. I was a spliced cue which Kimme used. It broke in the splice. It came unglued. I don't know exactly what Snyder did when he came in. Kimme told him to get out and struck him at the same time. I didn't see Kimme strike more than one blow."
A. Keirle testified: "I knew C.A. Snyder and am acquainted with August Kimme. I saw Snyder on Thursday morning. About 10 o'clock I went to see him on some business. He was in bed. He got up and came limping into the room and I helped him into a rocking chair. He said he got it last night and complained of a pain in his head. He sat there a second or two and got sick at the stomach and went out into the kitchen. Presently he came back and showed me the place on his head where he was hurt and told me not to touch it as it hurt and was pretty sore. (He showed the jury where the cut was, pointing to the back of his head.) I noticed no discoloration or marks on his forehead. He said he thought he was held up. Mrs. Snyder told me Ora went to Hartney's and saw several places where he had fallen in the snow. He said he did not know where he was. I asked him if I should go out and find where he had been, but he said, no. We talked about my case and he told me if it was to be tried I should come down for him with a buggy, that he was all right. I went down in the afternoon and he did not seem to be out of his head. He was conscious at that time. I saw him after that and he was unconscious. He made no statement to me as to how he got hurt."
CROSS EXAMINATION
He made no reference in regard to an altercation with anyone that evening. He thought there were two men at him when he was hurt"
(Crease in paper) about ten minutes to two o'clock on the morning of the 4th, when he came home. Mrs. Snyder got up and went to him. She asked him what was the matter, he replied, "nothing." At that time he was leaning against the casing of the door and then he fell back on the floor in a sitting position with his head against the folding bed. He started to pull his necktie off and took his collar off and saw they were both all over blood, and his shirt was torn down on both sides. I asked him what was the matter. Mrs. Snyder also asked him what was the matter and wanted to send for a doctor. He said, "No, you won't. Don't you go out of this house." When he tore his tie and collar off I saw the cut on the back of his head. Mrs. Snyder helped him to bed. She said:--"Look, there is a great big cut and the blood is just oozing out." She said—Ora you go for the doctor, but he insisted—"No, don't you go out of this house." I told my m other I would go and see where he came from. I put on his rubber boots and started out. I could see where he came in a zig-zag way. At the back of Jack Hartney's fence I could see where he had stumbled. I didn't stop there as I thought he had came form the front trace him up to Shurtleff's, then I lost the track as thee were so many tracks from thee. I came back and looked into the saloon, but couldn't see anybody. I then went around to the back and found where he had fallen down at the back gate. I followed his track up to the end of the fence and went into the back yard. I saw where he had got out 15 or 20 feet from the back door and it looked as if a couple of dozen people had been there. He must have fallen and trampled the snow, crawling around trying to get up, then there was a space of about six feet where there were no tracks at all. I saw tracks where it looked as if he had been dragged out of the gate. No, I didn't see any blood there. I didn't follow the tracks that close, I followed his tracks along the fence and just about two feet from the corner of the fence I could see where he had fallen, then his tracks were zig-zag until he got to the fence where the Dagos live, that is the house right this side of ours. Then at the steps I could see where he fell. It looked as if he tried to catch the boards to get up until he got inside. He was pretty full, the worst I ever saw him in all my life. I told him I thought he was in a pretty bad fix. He said nothing, only complained of his feet. It was about four o'clock when I first heard him complain of the back of his head. There were no marks on his forehead or face. The next morning he got up and came out and sat in the big rocking chair. I told him I tracked him from Jack Hartney's saloon. He said, "No, I have no recollection of being at Jack Hartney's. I was at the Occidental." Snyder had a bone handled knife with three blades, about four inches long, one big blade being nearly the length of the knife. Mrs. Snyder got it. He had it in his pocket when he got home.
Dr. R. Harvey Reed testified: "I am a practicing physician and surgeon. I was called at noon on Friday to see a person who, it was said, was Charles A. Snyder. I had no personal acquaintance with him. I made an examination of the man. When I went to the house I found him in bed and unconscious, tumbling and tossing around, grabbing at everything and everybody who went near him. He grabbed at me. I found, on examination, there was a wound that he been dressed, on the back of his head. There was a scalp wound on the back of his head extending from the front, backward and below that. I didn't measure it exactly, but I should say in the neighborhood of an inch or one and one-half inches. I could see there was a fracture of the skull. It was toward the center of the head, but more to the right of the central portion of the head. I advised Dr. Freeman, who called me in consultation, that he be sent to the hospital, as the chances of his life were very small. An operation would have to be performed and I had considerable doubt if even that would save him. He was removed to the hospital and about three o'clock in the afternoon I operated and found a portion of the skull, about the size of a silver dollar that was depressed and crushed. The pieces that were broken were very small. I didn't save all of them, but saved a few. (Here the doctor presented the pieces of skull and a human skull being procured he described to the jury the exact location of the fracture).
Judging from what I saw of the case, he came to his death by violence to his brain. I cannot say by the force of the blow what it was made with. There was evidently to my mind at least two forces placed upon the back part of the head, in two different places. One which cut the scalp open, but did not crush the head and one which crushed the skull, but did not cut the scalp. The cut was in the middle and the crush to the right side of the head. I took the bone out on the right side of the cut. I think these injuries could not have been received from the front with a billiard cue or club. I did not see Snyder when he was conscious, I might say this—that he was probably semi-conscious the morning after the operation. He seemed to know his wife and knew enough to take a drink and do things he was told to do, but he immediately relapsed into unconsciousness. He made no statement. I couldn't tell from the wounds the relative positions of the men when the blow was struck.
Question—"Could a man produce the wound by standing in front?"
Answer—"Putting it that way I can't see how a man could. It is probably possible that a man could get such an injury by falling down on this head, if there was some hard substance to fall on, but one could hardly expect such a general fracture as that one, but still there is a bare possibility. He might have got the cut in the skull by falling under an ordinary blow, but certainly in this case there were two points of violence. It was impossible where the cut was to produce a fracture such as this one was. I was cut clear through to the skull. It was so clean a cut that I sewed it up when I operated on him. It was similar to a cut a miner receives in the mine by a piece of coal. The blow that made the cut might knock a man down."
(Crease in paper) "About six o'clock on Friday morning I was called up my Mr. Smith for some headache powders which I gave him and went to bed again. About a quarter to nine o'clock I was called to see Mr. Snyder suffering from a headache. I found him in an unconscious condition, rolling and tossing on the bed. I was informed there was a wound on the back of his head. I didn't think there was any need of examining the wound in the condition he was, so I gave him some morphine. I returned an hour later and found him in the same condition. I gave him some bromide, which did not seem to do him any good. I then examined the wound and cut the hair away from it. It was about 1 ¼ inch long. At the lower extremity about ½ inch I should judge. If found a depression of the skull. Having made my diagnosis I saw that an operation was necessary, but did not say anything to Mrs. Snyder. I simply told Mrs. Smith to get Kierle or Nelson to look after him. I told Kierle Snyder was in a bad condition and would have to be operated upon. I went to the hospital and found Dr. Reed. The doctor and I went together and the doctor stated the condition I found him in. I don't think the doctor noticed any fracture the first examination as the fracture was out of the way of the injury and I called his attention to it when he located it and said it certainly was there and told Mrs. Smith the best thing to do was to take him to the hospital and have him operated upon. He was taken there about on o'clock or half past. The operation was performed by Dr. Reed about 3 o'clock that afternoon. He was unconscious when I saw him at nine o'clock. I did not notice any bruises on the forepart of his head. Death was due to a blow or blows on the head caused by some unknown instrument. The laceration was vertical."
Otto C. Nelson testified:--"I went over to see Mr. Snyder in the morning and he was in bad condition. He complained of a sprained foot and also of a sore head. I asked him how the accident occurred and he said he didn't hardly know but he was hurt by Jack Hartney's saloon. He said he could not tell who hurt him but said "I have every reason to believe it was somebody who had no use for me and I think it is Jack Fitch, but don't know. It is only a matter of conjecture as I don't think Jack Fitch has any use for me. He said he was struck with a club. He said he thought he was held up, but since thinking the matter over he concluded it could not be that, for everybody knew he had no money.
Jack Hartney testified:--"I know the first commencement was in the evening when they had a few words. Mr. Snyder as under the influence of liquor. He was standing by the bar and getting sick began to vomit. Kimme told him to go outside and vomit. He looked up and said "I won't be ordered out of the house by you, but if Mr. Hartney wants me to go out I will go. Kimme told him he was not ordering him out, but did not want him to vomit on the bar. Kimme was just coming on his shift and I was going to supper out the front door. Snyder followed me out. We were standing on the front door step and Snyder had his knife open. He said—"Look here, I will kill that Dutch s-n of a b---h and pressed the knife against my clothes, saying "You had better not go to supper or when you come back you won't have any bar-tender." I told him that Dutchman could take care of himself. He then went around the corner and I went home. This happened about 7.30 on Wednesday evening. I could not identify the knife for he had it in his hand with about three inches of the blade out."
Thomas Brannaman testified:--"I saw Snyder between, I should judge, 10 and 11 o'clock at the Occidental saloon. He was quarreling with some parties. After they left he started in on me and during our argument he pulled knife on me. I took the knife away from him and put it in his pocket. He did it the second time when I pushed him over and he fell in a sitting position on the floor. After that he got up, quieted down and went away. No one knocked him down. When I pushed him he staggered back and sat down on the floor. Couldn't say positively when he left. About 10 or 15 minutes after we had the argument. I pushed him right across the chest, and told him to get away, that I didn't care to have any trouble with him. Yes, I can identify the knife (Knife produced) He was pretty full."
Ed Boland testified:--"Snyder came into the Occidental saloon about ten o'clock, I should judge, and called or a couple of drinks. He jumped on Ed. Thorpe for going on the bonds of some barber in a law suit. Finally Thorpe went out and he turned on Mr. Brannaman. He had a knife in his hand, holding it in this position and said "If I make a lunge at you I will get you." Finally Brannaman took it away from him and then gave it back. He started on Brannaman again when Brannaman pushed him over against the partition. When he got up Brannaman moved to the end of the bar and Snyder followed him up there. I told him he had better put that knife up. He did so, then Brannman and he got to talking on very friendly terms. He started home about 12 o'clock. Snyder fell in a squatting position and his head was not hurt in any way. He was pretty full. He had some time getting out of the door."
JURY'S VERDICT.
We, the undersigned coroner's jury, being duly impaneled and sworn according to law by Daniel L McNamara, coroner of Sweetwater county, state of Wyoming, to inquire into the cause of the death of one Charles A Snyder, after hearing the testimony of the witnesses in the case and fully completing the inquest this 9th day of November, 1897, do find that deceased came to his death on the 6th day of November, 1897, in the town or Rock Springs, county of Sweetwater, state of Wyoming, from the result of a blow or blows received on the head on the morning of the 4th of November at or in the saloon of the Harney Bros, in the town, county and state aforesaid and we do further find that the said blow or blows were inflicted with a billiard cue in the hands of one August Kimme.
W.W. Paterson, foreman,
W.W. DeCamp, clerk,
(crease in paper)
PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION
August Kimme was arrested and lodge in the city jail on Friday. His examination was continued until Wednesday to await developments and he was placed under $500 bonds which were furnished. When Snyder died he was re-arrested and again lodged in jail. On Wednesday he waived examination before justice Mellor, who placed him under $1,000. The same were furnished and Mr Kimme has his freedom until the district court beets at Green River in May, 1898.
FUNERAL
The funeral took place from the Methodist church at two o'clock on Tuesday afternoon the Rev G H Smith conducting the services. The Reverend gentleman's remarks were appropriate and well chosen. The choir sang "Jesus, Lover of My Soul," and "Abide With Me." Mrs Treasure played accompaniments on the organ. The floral offerings were numerous and beautiful. Among them was a floral column presented by the brother attorneys of the deceased, and a cross by the Lady Maccabees. The pallbearers were D A Reavell, John H Chiles, H R Denton, Otto C Nelson, D G Thomas, representatives of the local legal fraternity, John Thrift taking attorney Preston's place, who was absent from town. Their good offices on this occasion were most commendable, showing the proper spirit.
Charles A Snyder met an untimely end and everyone regrets the circumstances leading up to it. As usual the burden of it all falls upon the stricken widow, who is one of the kindest and best ladies in this city. To her the sympathy of this entire community goes out as if from one heart praying that she may find consolation from Him who doeth all things well.
Mr Snyder was 34 year of age. He was born in Pennsylvania. Besides his widow, his mother, now living on Connecticut, survives him, one brother, John, also living in Connecticut, and four married sisters:--Mrs Emma Johnson, New York; Mrs Josie Holland, Oceola, Nebraska; Mrs Mary Eckhardt, Stamford, Connecticut, and Mrs Annie Thayer, of this city. His father died two years ago. He had been married 12 years. His first appearance west was in '81 '82 when he worked for Ward & Bradbury at Shoshone, Idaho. He was a faithful employee, and Sheriff John Ward, of Evanston, hearing that he had been killed, came up on Tuesday to ascertain the particulars. He became attached to the boy years ago and felt it his duty to endeavor to right any wrong that had been done him.
Before coming here five years ago, he lived in Omaha. When he admitted to the bar about two years ago he passed a creditable examination and since that time he practiced law in this city. The first position he held here was stenographer for Chas R Kelsey at Hopkins. We can truthfully say—Poor Snyder, he had a big heart in him. His faults we veil; his good traits we extol. May he rest in peace.
CARD OF THANKS.
Mrs Snyder takes this means of thanking her many friends for their kindness and thoughtful attention extended to her in her recent affliction. She extends her warmest acknowledgements to all for the many expressions of love of which she was the recipient.
ID #3705
Coroner's inquest and obit:
Rock Springs Miner no. 46 November 11, 1897
C A Snyder Killed.
C A Snyder died at the State Hospital in this city on Saturday evening about 11 o'clock, from the effects of injuries on his head received early on the Thursday morning previous.
He arrived at his home about ten minutes to two o'clock on Thursday morning in a dazed condition and covered with blood. Mrs Snyder insisted upon sending for a doctor but he would not allow her. During Thursday he sat up and felt fairly well complaining principally of a pain to his foot on account of which he could not walk. He received some friends and talked sensibly to them. On Friday morning his condition grew worse and Mrs Snyder called in Dr W C Freeman, who made an examination of the wounds in testimony published below.
Coroner D L McNamara impaneled a jury and held an inquest which extended over Monday up to Tuesday afternoon. County attorney John H Cailes was present in the interest of the state, and the defendant was represented by attorney D.G. Thomas. Many witnesses were examined and every grain of evidence that could throw light upon the sad occurrence was obtained. As the public is deeply interested in learning the particulars, the MINER here presents the testimony of the witness without comment.
The first and most important witness called was Charles Rector, who testified:
"I live at Point of Rocks, Sweetwater county. I know Charles A Snyder. I know August Kimme. I think I was in Hartney's saloon on Wednesday night or Thursday morning. I saw Chas. A Snyder there twice. The first time he came in the front door. He said, "Kimme, you called a s---heel." He had a knife in his hand. He said, "Kimme, I am going to get even with you." Kimme picked up a glass and was wiping it with his apron and waiting for an order. When he saw the knife he grabbed a gun that was behind the bar and said, "You go out of here." Snyder threw up his hands and shouted two or three times and went out the front door. Two or three minutes after that he came around the side door and tried to get in that way. He then went around to the back door and stepped in. Kimme was shooting balls around on the billiard table at that time and said to Snyder, "You go out of here" and whirled around with the cue and struck him. He hit him here (designating the place) on the side of the head. He kept going backwards and I couldn't see him. There was nothing said after that, but I went out to the door and Snyder was going out through the side gate. He was kind of crawling on his hands and knees, and when I saw he could get along I came back in as I thought he might come back in and start up a new row. I saw him last going out through the gate or in that direction. He was drunk. I think he was in that condition when he came in. It might have been fifteen or twenty minutes from the first time he came in until he came in the second time. After Kimme struck him he went behind the bar and was wiping glasses with his apron. I told him he had better clean up the bar and I would see if Snyder was going home. He went out of the gate and I came away. The first time I went out, I noticed where he had gone out by the out house and then sort of crawled to the side gate, picked himself up and went home. I could see where he was going back toward the building to get out of that little side gate. Kimme struck him with a billiard cue. I think Jack Thrift got it. He sawed it off to make a cane of it. The cue broke when Kimme struck Snyder. Kimme was standing by the table and Snyder in front of him by the door on the west side of the table. Snyder did not turn to go out, he walked backwards and staggered out of the door. Snyder stood there after Kimme told him to go out. I don't recollect whether he said anything or not. He wasn't in there more than ten or fifteen seconds. I just looked up and Kimme looked up and saw him. He had a knife in his right hand. When he came in the second time through the back door, I don't know whether it was open or shut. I don't think Kimme noticed him trying to get in through the side door. I was the only one in the saloon with Kimme. Larry Curtain was the first man to enter the saloon after the trouble—in about fifteen or twenty minutes. Kimme was talking after he struck Snyder but the words I don't know. I think Snyder was struck on the forehead. There were about three feet between them. This happened some time after one o'clock. Curtain and I left Hartney's and went down to the Occidental after two o'clock. There was no one with Snyder."
CROSS EXAMINATION BY D.G. THOMAS
"When Kimme struck Snyder he just took hold of the point of the cue in one hand and the center he grabbed with the other hand and just turned it over and struck him. He held it with his two hands. No, he did not fall. I don't remember whether the blow knocked his hat off or not. Snyder had a pocket knife in his hand. Couldn't say whether it was open or shut. It was a dark colored knife. I had no conversation with Kimme after Snyder went out the first time. I am positive he had a knife in his hand. (Knife presented.) I couldn't say if that is the knife or not. It looks like it, I didn't see the blade. Snyder did not make a break to put the knife into Kimme. He just walked in. I don't remember whether (crease in paper) them or not, but Kimme said, "You had better get out of here." Kimme struck him only once. I was a spliced cue which Kimme used. It broke in the splice. It came unglued. I don't know exactly what Snyder did when he came in. Kimme told him to get out and struck him at the same time. I didn't see Kimme strike more than one blow."
A. Keirle testified: "I knew C.A. Snyder and am acquainted with August Kimme. I saw Snyder on Thursday morning. About 10 o'clock I went to see him on some business. He was in bed. He got up and came limping into the room and I helped him into a rocking chair. He said he got it last night and complained of a pain in his head. He sat there a second or two and got sick at the stomach and went out into the kitchen. Presently he came back and showed me the place on his head where he was hurt and told me not to touch it as it hurt and was pretty sore. (He showed the jury where the cut was, pointing to the back of his head.) I noticed no discoloration or marks on his forehead. He said he thought he was held up. Mrs. Snyder told me Ora went to Hartney's and saw several places where he had fallen in the snow. He said he did not know where he was. I asked him if I should go out and find where he had been, but he said, no. We talked about my case and he told me if it was to be tried I should come down for him with a buggy, that he was all right. I went down in the afternoon and he did not seem to be out of his head. He was conscious at that time. I saw him after that and he was unconscious. He made no statement to me as to how he got hurt."
CROSS EXAMINATION
He made no reference in regard to an altercation with anyone that evening. He thought there were two men at him when he was hurt"
(Crease in paper) about ten minutes to two o'clock on the morning of the 4th, when he came home. Mrs. Snyder got up and went to him. She asked him what was the matter, he replied, "nothing." At that time he was leaning against the casing of the door and then he fell back on the floor in a sitting position with his head against the folding bed. He started to pull his necktie off and took his collar off and saw they were both all over blood, and his shirt was torn down on both sides. I asked him what was the matter. Mrs. Snyder also asked him what was the matter and wanted to send for a doctor. He said, "No, you won't. Don't you go out of this house." When he tore his tie and collar off I saw the cut on the back of his head. Mrs. Snyder helped him to bed. She said:--"Look, there is a great big cut and the blood is just oozing out." She said—Ora you go for the doctor, but he insisted—"No, don't you go out of this house." I told my m other I would go and see where he came from. I put on his rubber boots and started out. I could see where he came in a zig-zag way. At the back of Jack Hartney's fence I could see where he had stumbled. I didn't stop there as I thought he had came form the front trace him up to Shurtleff's, then I lost the track as thee were so many tracks from thee. I came back and looked into the saloon, but couldn't see anybody. I then went around to the back and found where he had fallen down at the back gate. I followed his track up to the end of the fence and went into the back yard. I saw where he had got out 15 or 20 feet from the back door and it looked as if a couple of dozen people had been there. He must have fallen and trampled the snow, crawling around trying to get up, then there was a space of about six feet where there were no tracks at all. I saw tracks where it looked as if he had been dragged out of the gate. No, I didn't see any blood there. I didn't follow the tracks that close, I followed his tracks along the fence and just about two feet from the corner of the fence I could see where he had fallen, then his tracks were zig-zag until he got to the fence where the Dagos live, that is the house right this side of ours. Then at the steps I could see where he fell. It looked as if he tried to catch the boards to get up until he got inside. He was pretty full, the worst I ever saw him in all my life. I told him I thought he was in a pretty bad fix. He said nothing, only complained of his feet. It was about four o'clock when I first heard him complain of the back of his head. There were no marks on his forehead or face. The next morning he got up and came out and sat in the big rocking chair. I told him I tracked him from Jack Hartney's saloon. He said, "No, I have no recollection of being at Jack Hartney's. I was at the Occidental." Snyder had a bone handled knife with three blades, about four inches long, one big blade being nearly the length of the knife. Mrs. Snyder got it. He had it in his pocket when he got home.
Dr. R. Harvey Reed testified: "I am a practicing physician and surgeon. I was called at noon on Friday to see a person who, it was said, was Charles A. Snyder. I had no personal acquaintance with him. I made an examination of the man. When I went to the house I found him in bed and unconscious, tumbling and tossing around, grabbing at everything and everybody who went near him. He grabbed at me. I found, on examination, there was a wound that he been dressed, on the back of his head. There was a scalp wound on the back of his head extending from the front, backward and below that. I didn't measure it exactly, but I should say in the neighborhood of an inch or one and one-half inches. I could see there was a fracture of the skull. It was toward the center of the head, but more to the right of the central portion of the head. I advised Dr. Freeman, who called me in consultation, that he be sent to the hospital, as the chances of his life were very small. An operation would have to be performed and I had considerable doubt if even that would save him. He was removed to the hospital and about three o'clock in the afternoon I operated and found a portion of the skull, about the size of a silver dollar that was depressed and crushed. The pieces that were broken were very small. I didn't save all of them, but saved a few. (Here the doctor presented the pieces of skull and a human skull being procured he described to the jury the exact location of the fracture).
Judging from what I saw of the case, he came to his death by violence to his brain. I cannot say by the force of the blow what it was made with. There was evidently to my mind at least two forces placed upon the back part of the head, in two different places. One which cut the scalp open, but did not crush the head and one which crushed the skull, but did not cut the scalp. The cut was in the middle and the crush to the right side of the head. I took the bone out on the right side of the cut. I think these injuries could not have been received from the front with a billiard cue or club. I did not see Snyder when he was conscious, I might say this—that he was probably semi-conscious the morning after the operation. He seemed to know his wife and knew enough to take a drink and do things he was told to do, but he immediately relapsed into unconsciousness. He made no statement. I couldn't tell from the wounds the relative positions of the men when the blow was struck.
Question—"Could a man produce the wound by standing in front?"
Answer—"Putting it that way I can't see how a man could. It is probably possible that a man could get such an injury by falling down on this head, if there was some hard substance to fall on, but one could hardly expect such a general fracture as that one, but still there is a bare possibility. He might have got the cut in the skull by falling under an ordinary blow, but certainly in this case there were two points of violence. It was impossible where the cut was to produce a fracture such as this one was. I was cut clear through to the skull. It was so clean a cut that I sewed it up when I operated on him. It was similar to a cut a miner receives in the mine by a piece of coal. The blow that made the cut might knock a man down."
(Crease in paper) "About six o'clock on Friday morning I was called up my Mr. Smith for some headache powders which I gave him and went to bed again. About a quarter to nine o'clock I was called to see Mr. Snyder suffering from a headache. I found him in an unconscious condition, rolling and tossing on the bed. I was informed there was a wound on the back of his head. I didn't think there was any need of examining the wound in the condition he was, so I gave him some morphine. I returned an hour later and found him in the same condition. I gave him some bromide, which did not seem to do him any good. I then examined the wound and cut the hair away from it. It was about 1 ¼ inch long. At the lower extremity about ½ inch I should judge. If found a depression of the skull. Having made my diagnosis I saw that an operation was necessary, but did not say anything to Mrs. Snyder. I simply told Mrs. Smith to get Kierle or Nelson to look after him. I told Kierle Snyder was in a bad condition and would have to be operated upon. I went to the hospital and found Dr. Reed. The doctor and I went together and the doctor stated the condition I found him in. I don't think the doctor noticed any fracture the first examination as the fracture was out of the way of the injury and I called his attention to it when he located it and said it certainly was there and told Mrs. Smith the best thing to do was to take him to the hospital and have him operated upon. He was taken there about on o'clock or half past. The operation was performed by Dr. Reed about 3 o'clock that afternoon. He was unconscious when I saw him at nine o'clock. I did not notice any bruises on the forepart of his head. Death was due to a blow or blows on the head caused by some unknown instrument. The laceration was vertical."
Otto C. Nelson testified:--"I went over to see Mr. Snyder in the morning and he was in bad condition. He complained of a sprained foot and also of a sore head. I asked him how the accident occurred and he said he didn't hardly know but he was hurt by Jack Hartney's saloon. He said he could not tell who hurt him but said "I have every reason to believe it was somebody who had no use for me and I think it is Jack Fitch, but don't know. It is only a matter of conjecture as I don't think Jack Fitch has any use for me. He said he was struck with a club. He said he thought he was held up, but since thinking the matter over he concluded it could not be that, for everybody knew he had no money.
Jack Hartney testified:--"I know the first commencement was in the evening when they had a few words. Mr. Snyder as under the influence of liquor. He was standing by the bar and getting sick began to vomit. Kimme told him to go outside and vomit. He looked up and said "I won't be ordered out of the house by you, but if Mr. Hartney wants me to go out I will go. Kimme told him he was not ordering him out, but did not want him to vomit on the bar. Kimme was just coming on his shift and I was going to supper out the front door. Snyder followed me out. We were standing on the front door step and Snyder had his knife open. He said—"Look here, I will kill that Dutch s-n of a b---h and pressed the knife against my clothes, saying "You had better not go to supper or when you come back you won't have any bar-tender." I told him that Dutchman could take care of himself. He then went around the corner and I went home. This happened about 7.30 on Wednesday evening. I could not identify the knife for he had it in his hand with about three inches of the blade out."
Thomas Brannaman testified:--"I saw Snyder between, I should judge, 10 and 11 o'clock at the Occidental saloon. He was quarreling with some parties. After they left he started in on me and during our argument he pulled knife on me. I took the knife away from him and put it in his pocket. He did it the second time when I pushed him over and he fell in a sitting position on the floor. After that he got up, quieted down and went away. No one knocked him down. When I pushed him he staggered back and sat down on the floor. Couldn't say positively when he left. About 10 or 15 minutes after we had the argument. I pushed him right across the chest, and told him to get away, that I didn't care to have any trouble with him. Yes, I can identify the knife (Knife produced) He was pretty full."
Ed Boland testified:--"Snyder came into the Occidental saloon about ten o'clock, I should judge, and called or a couple of drinks. He jumped on Ed. Thorpe for going on the bonds of some barber in a law suit. Finally Thorpe went out and he turned on Mr. Brannaman. He had a knife in his hand, holding it in this position and said "If I make a lunge at you I will get you." Finally Brannaman took it away from him and then gave it back. He started on Brannaman again when Brannaman pushed him over against the partition. When he got up Brannaman moved to the end of the bar and Snyder followed him up there. I told him he had better put that knife up. He did so, then Brannman and he got to talking on very friendly terms. He started home about 12 o'clock. Snyder fell in a squatting position and his head was not hurt in any way. He was pretty full. He had some time getting out of the door."
JURY'S VERDICT.
We, the undersigned coroner's jury, being duly impaneled and sworn according to law by Daniel L McNamara, coroner of Sweetwater county, state of Wyoming, to inquire into the cause of the death of one Charles A Snyder, after hearing the testimony of the witnesses in the case and fully completing the inquest this 9th day of November, 1897, do find that deceased came to his death on the 6th day of November, 1897, in the town or Rock Springs, county of Sweetwater, state of Wyoming, from the result of a blow or blows received on the head on the morning of the 4th of November at or in the saloon of the Harney Bros, in the town, county and state aforesaid and we do further find that the said blow or blows were inflicted with a billiard cue in the hands of one August Kimme.
W.W. Paterson, foreman,
W.W. DeCamp, clerk,
(crease in paper)
PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION
August Kimme was arrested and lodge in the city jail on Friday. His examination was continued until Wednesday to await developments and he was placed under $500 bonds which were furnished. When Snyder died he was re-arrested and again lodged in jail. On Wednesday he waived examination before justice Mellor, who placed him under $1,000. The same were furnished and Mr Kimme has his freedom until the district court beets at Green River in May, 1898.
FUNERAL
The funeral took place from the Methodist church at two o'clock on Tuesday afternoon the Rev G H Smith conducting the services. The Reverend gentleman's remarks were appropriate and well chosen. The choir sang "Jesus, Lover of My Soul," and "Abide With Me." Mrs Treasure played accompaniments on the organ. The floral offerings were numerous and beautiful. Among them was a floral column presented by the brother attorneys of the deceased, and a cross by the Lady Maccabees. The pallbearers were D A Reavell, John H Chiles, H R Denton, Otto C Nelson, D G Thomas, representatives of the local legal fraternity, John Thrift taking attorney Preston's place, who was absent from town. Their good offices on this occasion were most commendable, showing the proper spirit.
Charles A Snyder met an untimely end and everyone regrets the circumstances leading up to it. As usual the burden of it all falls upon the stricken widow, who is one of the kindest and best ladies in this city. To her the sympathy of this entire community goes out as if from one heart praying that she may find consolation from Him who doeth all things well.
Mr Snyder was 34 year of age. He was born in Pennsylvania. Besides his widow, his mother, now living on Connecticut, survives him, one brother, John, also living in Connecticut, and four married sisters:--Mrs Emma Johnson, New York; Mrs Josie Holland, Oceola, Nebraska; Mrs Mary Eckhardt, Stamford, Connecticut, and Mrs Annie Thayer, of this city. His father died two years ago. He had been married 12 years. His first appearance west was in '81 '82 when he worked for Ward & Bradbury at Shoshone, Idaho. He was a faithful employee, and Sheriff John Ward, of Evanston, hearing that he had been killed, came up on Tuesday to ascertain the particulars. He became attached to the boy years ago and felt it his duty to endeavor to right any wrong that had been done him.
Before coming here five years ago, he lived in Omaha. When he admitted to the bar about two years ago he passed a creditable examination and since that time he practiced law in this city. The first position he held here was stenographer for Chas R Kelsey at Hopkins. We can truthfully say—Poor Snyder, he had a big heart in him. His faults we veil; his good traits we extol. May he rest in peace.
CARD OF THANKS.
Mrs Snyder takes this means of thanking her many friends for their kindness and thoughtful attention extended to her in her recent affliction. She extends her warmest acknowledgements to all for the many expressions of love of which she was the recipient.
34y;
ID #3705
Coroner's inquest and obit:
Rock Springs Miner no. 46 November 11, 1897
C A Snyder Killed.
C A Snyder died at the State Hospital in this city on Saturday evening about 11 o'clock, from the effects of injuries on his head received early on the Thursday morning previous.
He arrived at his home about ten minutes to two o'clock on Thursday morning in a dazed condition and covered with blood. Mrs Snyder insisted upon sending for a doctor but he would not allow her. During Thursday he sat up and felt fairly well complaining principally of a pain to his foot on account of which he could not walk. He received some friends and talked sensibly to them. On Friday morning his condition grew worse and Mrs Snyder called in Dr W C Freeman, who made an examination of the wounds in testimony published below.
Coroner D L McNamara impaneled a jury and held an inquest which extended over Monday up to Tuesday afternoon. County attorney John H Cailes was present in the interest of the state, and the defendant was represented by attorney D.G. Thomas. Many witnesses were examined and every grain of evidence that could throw light upon the sad occurrence was obtained. As the public is deeply interested in learning the particulars, the MINER here presents the testimony of the witness without comment.
The first and most important witness called was Charles Rector, who testified:
"I live at Point of Rocks, Sweetwater county. I know Charles A Snyder. I know August Kimme. I think I was in Hartney's saloon on Wednesday night or Thursday morning. I saw Chas. A Snyder there twice. The first time he came in the front door. He said, "Kimme, you called a s---heel." He had a knife in his hand. He said, "Kimme, I am going to get even with you." Kimme picked up a glass and was wiping it with his apron and waiting for an order. When he saw the knife he grabbed a gun that was behind the bar and said, "You go out of here." Snyder threw up his hands and shouted two or three times and went out the front door. Two or three minutes after that he came around the side door and tried to get in that way. He then went around to the back door and stepped in. Kimme was shooting balls around on the billiard table at that time and said to Snyder, "You go out of here" and whirled around with the cue and struck him. He hit him here (designating the place) on the side of the head. He kept going backwards and I couldn't see him. There was nothing said after that, but I went out to the door and Snyder was going out through the side gate. He was kind of crawling on his hands and knees, and when I saw he could get along I came back in as I thought he might come back in and start up a new row. I saw him last going out through the gate or in that direction. He was drunk. I think he was in that condition when he came in. It might have been fifteen or twenty minutes from the first time he came in until he came in the second time. After Kimme struck him he went behind the bar and was wiping glasses with his apron. I told him he had better clean up the bar and I would see if Snyder was going home. He went out of the gate and I came away. The first time I went out, I noticed where he had gone out by the out house and then sort of crawled to the side gate, picked himself up and went home. I could see where he was going back toward the building to get out of that little side gate. Kimme struck him with a billiard cue. I think Jack Thrift got it. He sawed it off to make a cane of it. The cue broke when Kimme struck Snyder. Kimme was standing by the table and Snyder in front of him by the door on the west side of the table. Snyder did not turn to go out, he walked backwards and staggered out of the door. Snyder stood there after Kimme told him to go out. I don't recollect whether he said anything or not. He wasn't in there more than ten or fifteen seconds. I just looked up and Kimme looked up and saw him. He had a knife in his right hand. When he came in the second time through the back door, I don't know whether it was open or shut. I don't think Kimme noticed him trying to get in through the side door. I was the only one in the saloon with Kimme. Larry Curtain was the first man to enter the saloon after the trouble—in about fifteen or twenty minutes. Kimme was talking after he struck Snyder but the words I don't know. I think Snyder was struck on the forehead. There were about three feet between them. This happened some time after one o'clock. Curtain and I left Hartney's and went down to the Occidental after two o'clock. There was no one with Snyder."
CROSS EXAMINATION BY D.G. THOMAS
"When Kimme struck Snyder he just took hold of the point of the cue in one hand and the center he grabbed with the other hand and just turned it over and struck him. He held it with his two hands. No, he did not fall. I don't remember whether the blow knocked his hat off or not. Snyder had a pocket knife in his hand. Couldn't say whether it was open or shut. It was a dark colored knife. I had no conversation with Kimme after Snyder went out the first time. I am positive he had a knife in his hand. (Knife presented.) I couldn't say if that is the knife or not. It looks like it, I didn't see the blade. Snyder did not make a break to put the knife into Kimme. He just walked in. I don't remember whether (crease in paper) them or not, but Kimme said, "You had better get out of here." Kimme struck him only once. I was a spliced cue which Kimme used. It broke in the splice. It came unglued. I don't know exactly what Snyder did when he came in. Kimme told him to get out and struck him at the same time. I didn't see Kimme strike more than one blow."
A. Keirle testified: "I knew C.A. Snyder and am acquainted with August Kimme. I saw Snyder on Thursday morning. About 10 o'clock I went to see him on some business. He was in bed. He got up and came limping into the room and I helped him into a rocking chair. He said he got it last night and complained of a pain in his head. He sat there a second or two and got sick at the stomach and went out into the kitchen. Presently he came back and showed me the place on his head where he was hurt and told me not to touch it as it hurt and was pretty sore. (He showed the jury where the cut was, pointing to the back of his head.) I noticed no discoloration or marks on his forehead. He said he thought he was held up. Mrs. Snyder told me Ora went to Hartney's and saw several places where he had fallen in the snow. He said he did not know where he was. I asked him if I should go out and find where he had been, but he said, no. We talked about my case and he told me if it was to be tried I should come down for him with a buggy, that he was all right. I went down in the afternoon and he did not seem to be out of his head. He was conscious at that time. I saw him after that and he was unconscious. He made no statement to me as to how he got hurt."
CROSS EXAMINATION
He made no reference in regard to an altercation with anyone that evening. He thought there were two men at him when he was hurt"
(Crease in paper) about ten minutes to two o'clock on the morning of the 4th, when he came home. Mrs. Snyder got up and went to him. She asked him what was the matter, he replied, "nothing." At that time he was leaning against the casing of the door and then he fell back on the floor in a sitting position with his head against the folding bed. He started to pull his necktie off and took his collar off and saw they were both all over blood, and his shirt was torn down on both sides. I asked him what was the matter. Mrs. Snyder also asked him what was the matter and wanted to send for a doctor. He said, "No, you won't. Don't you go out of this house." When he tore his tie and collar off I saw the cut on the back of his head. Mrs. Snyder helped him to bed. She said:--"Look, there is a great big cut and the blood is just oozing out." She said—Ora you go for the doctor, but he insisted—"No, don't you go out of this house." I told my m other I would go and see where he came from. I put on his rubber boots and started out. I could see where he came in a zig-zag way. At the back of Jack Hartney's fence I could see where he had stumbled. I didn't stop there as I thought he had came form the front trace him up to Shurtleff's, then I lost the track as thee were so many tracks from thee. I came back and looked into the saloon, but couldn't see anybody. I then went around to the back and found where he had fallen down at the back gate. I followed his track up to the end of the fence and went into the back yard. I saw where he had got out 15 or 20 feet from the back door and it looked as if a couple of dozen people had been there. He must have fallen and trampled the snow, crawling around trying to get up, then there was a space of about six feet where there were no tracks at all. I saw tracks where it looked as if he had been dragged out of the gate. No, I didn't see any blood there. I didn't follow the tracks that close, I followed his tracks along the fence and just about two feet from the corner of the fence I could see where he had fallen, then his tracks were zig-zag until he got to the fence where the Dagos live, that is the house right this side of ours. Then at the steps I could see where he fell. It looked as if he tried to catch the boards to get up until he got inside. He was pretty full, the worst I ever saw him in all my life. I told him I thought he was in a pretty bad fix. He said nothing, only complained of his feet. It was about four o'clock when I first heard him complain of the back of his head. There were no marks on his forehead or face. The next morning he got up and came out and sat in the big rocking chair. I told him I tracked him from Jack Hartney's saloon. He said, "No, I have no recollection of being at Jack Hartney's. I was at the Occidental." Snyder had a bone handled knife with three blades, about four inches long, one big blade being nearly the length of the knife. Mrs. Snyder got it. He had it in his pocket when he got home.
Dr. R. Harvey Reed testified: "I am a practicing physician and surgeon. I was called at noon on Friday to see a person who, it was said, was Charles A. Snyder. I had no personal acquaintance with him. I made an examination of the man. When I went to the house I found him in bed and unconscious, tumbling and tossing around, grabbing at everything and everybody who went near him. He grabbed at me. I found, on examination, there was a wound that he been dressed, on the back of his head. There was a scalp wound on the back of his head extending from the front, backward and below that. I didn't measure it exactly, but I should say in the neighborhood of an inch or one and one-half inches. I could see there was a fracture of the skull. It was toward the center of the head, but more to the right of the central portion of the head. I advised Dr. Freeman, who called me in consultation, that he be sent to the hospital, as the chances of his life were very small. An operation would have to be performed and I had considerable doubt if even that would save him. He was removed to the hospital and about three o'clock in the afternoon I operated and found a portion of the skull, about the size of a silver dollar that was depressed and crushed. The pieces that were broken were very small. I didn't save all of them, but saved a few. (Here the doctor presented the pieces of skull and a human skull being procured he described to the jury the exact location of the fracture).
Judging from what I saw of the case, he came to his death by violence to his brain. I cannot say by the force of the blow what it was made with. There was evidently to my mind at least two forces placed upon the back part of the head, in two different places. One which cut the scalp open, but did not crush the head and one which crushed the skull, but did not cut the scalp. The cut was in the middle and the crush to the right side of the head. I took the bone out on the right side of the cut. I think these injuries could not have been received from the front with a billiard cue or club. I did not see Snyder when he was conscious, I might say this—that he was probably semi-conscious the morning after the operation. He seemed to know his wife and knew enough to take a drink and do things he was told to do, but he immediately relapsed into unconsciousness. He made no statement. I couldn't tell from the wounds the relative positions of the men when the blow was struck.
Question—"Could a man produce the wound by standing in front?"
Answer—"Putting it that way I can't see how a man could. It is probably possible that a man could get such an injury by falling down on this head, if there was some hard substance to fall on, but one could hardly expect such a general fracture as that one, but still there is a bare possibility. He might have got the cut in the skull by falling under an ordinary blow, but certainly in this case there were two points of violence. It was impossible where the cut was to produce a fracture such as this one was. I was cut clear through to the skull. It was so clean a cut that I sewed it up when I operated on him. It was similar to a cut a miner receives in the mine by a piece of coal. The blow that made the cut might knock a man down."
(Crease in paper) "About six o'clock on Friday morning I was called up my Mr. Smith for some headache powders which I gave him and went to bed again. About a quarter to nine o'clock I was called to see Mr. Snyder suffering from a headache. I found him in an unconscious condition, rolling and tossing on the bed. I was informed there was a wound on the back of his head. I didn't think there was any need of examining the wound in the condition he was, so I gave him some morphine. I returned an hour later and found him in the same condition. I gave him some bromide, which did not seem to do him any good. I then examined the wound and cut the hair away from it. It was about 1 ¼ inch long. At the lower extremity about ½ inch I should judge. If found a depression of the skull. Having made my diagnosis I saw that an operation was necessary, but did not say anything to Mrs. Snyder. I simply told Mrs. Smith to get Kierle or Nelson to look after him. I told Kierle Snyder was in a bad condition and would have to be operated upon. I went to the hospital and found Dr. Reed. The doctor and I went together and the doctor stated the condition I found him in. I don't think the doctor noticed any fracture the first examination as the fracture was out of the way of the injury and I called his attention to it when he located it and said it certainly was there and told Mrs. Smith the best thing to do was to take him to the hospital and have him operated upon. He was taken there about on o'clock or half past. The operation was performed by Dr. Reed about 3 o'clock that afternoon. He was unconscious when I saw him at nine o'clock. I did not notice any bruises on the forepart of his head. Death was due to a blow or blows on the head caused by some unknown instrument. The laceration was vertical."
Otto C. Nelson testified:--"I went over to see Mr. Snyder in the morning and he was in bad condition. He complained of a sprained foot and also of a sore head. I asked him how the accident occurred and he said he didn't hardly know but he was hurt by Jack Hartney's saloon. He said he could not tell who hurt him but said "I have every reason to believe it was somebody who had no use for me and I think it is Jack Fitch, but don't know. It is only a matter of conjecture as I don't think Jack Fitch has any use for me. He said he was struck with a club. He said he thought he was held up, but since thinking the matter over he concluded it could not be that, for everybody knew he had no money.
Jack Hartney testified:--"I know the first commencement was in the evening when they had a few words. Mr. Snyder as under the influence of liquor. He was standing by the bar and getting sick began to vomit. Kimme told him to go outside and vomit. He looked up and said "I won't be ordered out of the house by you, but if Mr. Hartney wants me to go out I will go. Kimme told him he was not ordering him out, but did not want him to vomit on the bar. Kimme was just coming on his shift and I was going to supper out the front door. Snyder followed me out. We were standing on the front door step and Snyder had his knife open. He said—"Look here, I will kill that Dutch s-n of a b---h and pressed the knife against my clothes, saying "You had better not go to supper or when you come back you won't have any bar-tender." I told him that Dutchman could take care of himself. He then went around the corner and I went home. This happened about 7.30 on Wednesday evening. I could not identify the knife for he had it in his hand with about three inches of the blade out."
Thomas Brannaman testified:--"I saw Snyder between, I should judge, 10 and 11 o'clock at the Occidental saloon. He was quarreling with some parties. After they left he started in on me and during our argument he pulled knife on me. I took the knife away from him and put it in his pocket. He did it the second time when I pushed him over and he fell in a sitting position on the floor. After that he got up, quieted down and went away. No one knocked him down. When I pushed him he staggered back and sat down on the floor. Couldn't say positively when he left. About 10 or 15 minutes after we had the argument. I pushed him right across the chest, and told him to get away, that I didn't care to have any trouble with him. Yes, I can identify the knife (Knife produced) He was pretty full."
Ed Boland testified:--"Snyder came into the Occidental saloon about ten o'clock, I should judge, and called or a couple of drinks. He jumped on Ed. Thorpe for going on the bonds of some barber in a law suit. Finally Thorpe went out and he turned on Mr. Brannaman. He had a knife in his hand, holding it in this position and said "If I make a lunge at you I will get you." Finally Brannaman took it away from him and then gave it back. He started on Brannaman again when Brannaman pushed him over against the partition. When he got up Brannaman moved to the end of the bar and Snyder followed him up there. I told him he had better put that knife up. He did so, then Brannman and he got to talking on very friendly terms. He started home about 12 o'clock. Snyder fell in a squatting position and his head was not hurt in any way. He was pretty full. He had some time getting out of the door."
JURY'S VERDICT.
We, the undersigned coroner's jury, being duly impaneled and sworn according to law by Daniel L McNamara, coroner of Sweetwater county, state of Wyoming, to inquire into the cause of the death of one Charles A Snyder, after hearing the testimony of the witnesses in the case and fully completing the inquest this 9th day of November, 1897, do find that deceased came to his death on the 6th day of November, 1897, in the town or Rock Springs, county of Sweetwater, state of Wyoming, from the result of a blow or blows received on the head on the morning of the 4th of November at or in the saloon of the Harney Bros, in the town, county and state aforesaid and we do further find that the said blow or blows were inflicted with a billiard cue in the hands of one August Kimme.
W.W. Paterson, foreman,
W.W. DeCamp, clerk,
(crease in paper)
PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION
August Kimme was arrested and lodge in the city jail on Friday. His examination was continued until Wednesday to await developments and he was placed under $500 bonds which were furnished. When Snyder died he was re-arrested and again lodged in jail. On Wednesday he waived examination before justice Mellor, who placed him under $1,000. The same were furnished and Mr Kimme has his freedom until the district court beets at Green River in May, 1898.
FUNERAL
The funeral took place from the Methodist church at two o'clock on Tuesday afternoon the Rev G H Smith conducting the services. The Reverend gentleman's remarks were appropriate and well chosen. The choir sang "Jesus, Lover of My Soul," and "Abide With Me." Mrs Treasure played accompaniments on the organ. The floral offerings were numerous and beautiful. Among them was a floral column presented by the brother attorneys of the deceased, and a cross by the Lady Maccabees. The pallbearers were D A Reavell, John H Chiles, H R Denton, Otto C Nelson, D G Thomas, representatives of the local legal fraternity, John Thrift taking attorney Preston's place, who was absent from town. Their good offices on this occasion were most commendable, showing the proper spirit.
Charles A Snyder met an untimely end and everyone regrets the circumstances leading up to it. As usual the burden of it all falls upon the stricken widow, who is one of the kindest and best ladies in this city. To her the sympathy of this entire community goes out as if from one heart praying that she may find consolation from Him who doeth all things well.
Mr Snyder was 34 year of age. He was born in Pennsylvania. Besides his widow, his mother, now living on Connecticut, survives him, one brother, John, also living in Connecticut, and four married sisters:--Mrs Emma Johnson, New York; Mrs Josie Holland, Oceola, Nebraska; Mrs Mary Eckhardt, Stamford, Connecticut, and Mrs Annie Thayer, of this city. His father died two years ago. He had been married 12 years. His first appearance west was in '81 '82 when he worked for Ward & Bradbury at Shoshone, Idaho. He was a faithful employee, and Sheriff John Ward, of Evanston, hearing that he had been killed, came up on Tuesday to ascertain the particulars. He became attached to the boy years ago and felt it his duty to endeavor to right any wrong that had been done him.
Before coming here five years ago, he lived in Omaha. When he admitted to the bar about two years ago he passed a creditable examination and since that time he practiced law in this city. The first position he held here was stenographer for Chas R Kelsey at Hopkins. We can truthfully say—Poor Snyder, he had a big heart in him. His faults we veil; his good traits we extol. May he rest in peace.
CARD OF THANKS.
Mrs Snyder takes this means of thanking her many friends for their kindness and thoughtful attention extended to her in her recent affliction. She extends her warmest acknowledgements to all for the many expressions of love of which she was the recipient.
ID #3705
Coroner's inquest and obit:
Rock Springs Miner no. 46 November 11, 1897
C A Snyder Killed.
C A Snyder died at the State Hospital in this city on Saturday evening about 11 o'clock, from the effects of injuries on his head received early on the Thursday morning previous.
He arrived at his home about ten minutes to two o'clock on Thursday morning in a dazed condition and covered with blood. Mrs Snyder insisted upon sending for a doctor but he would not allow her. During Thursday he sat up and felt fairly well complaining principally of a pain to his foot on account of which he could not walk. He received some friends and talked sensibly to them. On Friday morning his condition grew worse and Mrs Snyder called in Dr W C Freeman, who made an examination of the wounds in testimony published below.
Coroner D L McNamara impaneled a jury and held an inquest which extended over Monday up to Tuesday afternoon. County attorney John H Cailes was present in the interest of the state, and the defendant was represented by attorney D.G. Thomas. Many witnesses were examined and every grain of evidence that could throw light upon the sad occurrence was obtained. As the public is deeply interested in learning the particulars, the MINER here presents the testimony of the witness without comment.
The first and most important witness called was Charles Rector, who testified:
"I live at Point of Rocks, Sweetwater county. I know Charles A Snyder. I know August Kimme. I think I was in Hartney's saloon on Wednesday night or Thursday morning. I saw Chas. A Snyder there twice. The first time he came in the front door. He said, "Kimme, you called a s---heel." He had a knife in his hand. He said, "Kimme, I am going to get even with you." Kimme picked up a glass and was wiping it with his apron and waiting for an order. When he saw the knife he grabbed a gun that was behind the bar and said, "You go out of here." Snyder threw up his hands and shouted two or three times and went out the front door. Two or three minutes after that he came around the side door and tried to get in that way. He then went around to the back door and stepped in. Kimme was shooting balls around on the billiard table at that time and said to Snyder, "You go out of here" and whirled around with the cue and struck him. He hit him here (designating the place) on the side of the head. He kept going backwards and I couldn't see him. There was nothing said after that, but I went out to the door and Snyder was going out through the side gate. He was kind of crawling on his hands and knees, and when I saw he could get along I came back in as I thought he might come back in and start up a new row. I saw him last going out through the gate or in that direction. He was drunk. I think he was in that condition when he came in. It might have been fifteen or twenty minutes from the first time he came in until he came in the second time. After Kimme struck him he went behind the bar and was wiping glasses with his apron. I told him he had better clean up the bar and I would see if Snyder was going home. He went out of the gate and I came away. The first time I went out, I noticed where he had gone out by the out house and then sort of crawled to the side gate, picked himself up and went home. I could see where he was going back toward the building to get out of that little side gate. Kimme struck him with a billiard cue. I think Jack Thrift got it. He sawed it off to make a cane of it. The cue broke when Kimme struck Snyder. Kimme was standing by the table and Snyder in front of him by the door on the west side of the table. Snyder did not turn to go out, he walked backwards and staggered out of the door. Snyder stood there after Kimme told him to go out. I don't recollect whether he said anything or not. He wasn't in there more than ten or fifteen seconds. I just looked up and Kimme looked up and saw him. He had a knife in his right hand. When he came in the second time through the back door, I don't know whether it was open or shut. I don't think Kimme noticed him trying to get in through the side door. I was the only one in the saloon with Kimme. Larry Curtain was the first man to enter the saloon after the trouble—in about fifteen or twenty minutes. Kimme was talking after he struck Snyder but the words I don't know. I think Snyder was struck on the forehead. There were about three feet between them. This happened some time after one o'clock. Curtain and I left Hartney's and went down to the Occidental after two o'clock. There was no one with Snyder."
CROSS EXAMINATION BY D.G. THOMAS
"When Kimme struck Snyder he just took hold of the point of the cue in one hand and the center he grabbed with the other hand and just turned it over and struck him. He held it with his two hands. No, he did not fall. I don't remember whether the blow knocked his hat off or not. Snyder had a pocket knife in his hand. Couldn't say whether it was open or shut. It was a dark colored knife. I had no conversation with Kimme after Snyder went out the first time. I am positive he had a knife in his hand. (Knife presented.) I couldn't say if that is the knife or not. It looks like it, I didn't see the blade. Snyder did not make a break to put the knife into Kimme. He just walked in. I don't remember whether (crease in paper) them or not, but Kimme said, "You had better get out of here." Kimme struck him only once. I was a spliced cue which Kimme used. It broke in the splice. It came unglued. I don't know exactly what Snyder did when he came in. Kimme told him to get out and struck him at the same time. I didn't see Kimme strike more than one blow."
A. Keirle testified: "I knew C.A. Snyder and am acquainted with August Kimme. I saw Snyder on Thursday morning. About 10 o'clock I went to see him on some business. He was in bed. He got up and came limping into the room and I helped him into a rocking chair. He said he got it last night and complained of a pain in his head. He sat there a second or two and got sick at the stomach and went out into the kitchen. Presently he came back and showed me the place on his head where he was hurt and told me not to touch it as it hurt and was pretty sore. (He showed the jury where the cut was, pointing to the back of his head.) I noticed no discoloration or marks on his forehead. He said he thought he was held up. Mrs. Snyder told me Ora went to Hartney's and saw several places where he had fallen in the snow. He said he did not know where he was. I asked him if I should go out and find where he had been, but he said, no. We talked about my case and he told me if it was to be tried I should come down for him with a buggy, that he was all right. I went down in the afternoon and he did not seem to be out of his head. He was conscious at that time. I saw him after that and he was unconscious. He made no statement to me as to how he got hurt."
CROSS EXAMINATION
He made no reference in regard to an altercation with anyone that evening. He thought there were two men at him when he was hurt"
(Crease in paper) about ten minutes to two o'clock on the morning of the 4th, when he came home. Mrs. Snyder got up and went to him. She asked him what was the matter, he replied, "nothing." At that time he was leaning against the casing of the door and then he fell back on the floor in a sitting position with his head against the folding bed. He started to pull his necktie off and took his collar off and saw they were both all over blood, and his shirt was torn down on both sides. I asked him what was the matter. Mrs. Snyder also asked him what was the matter and wanted to send for a doctor. He said, "No, you won't. Don't you go out of this house." When he tore his tie and collar off I saw the cut on the back of his head. Mrs. Snyder helped him to bed. She said:--"Look, there is a great big cut and the blood is just oozing out." She said—Ora you go for the doctor, but he insisted—"No, don't you go out of this house." I told my m other I would go and see where he came from. I put on his rubber boots and started out. I could see where he came in a zig-zag way. At the back of Jack Hartney's fence I could see where he had stumbled. I didn't stop there as I thought he had came form the front trace him up to Shurtleff's, then I lost the track as thee were so many tracks from thee. I came back and looked into the saloon, but couldn't see anybody. I then went around to the back and found where he had fallen down at the back gate. I followed his track up to the end of the fence and went into the back yard. I saw where he had got out 15 or 20 feet from the back door and it looked as if a couple of dozen people had been there. He must have fallen and trampled the snow, crawling around trying to get up, then there was a space of about six feet where there were no tracks at all. I saw tracks where it looked as if he had been dragged out of the gate. No, I didn't see any blood there. I didn't follow the tracks that close, I followed his tracks along the fence and just about two feet from the corner of the fence I could see where he had fallen, then his tracks were zig-zag until he got to the fence where the Dagos live, that is the house right this side of ours. Then at the steps I could see where he fell. It looked as if he tried to catch the boards to get up until he got inside. He was pretty full, the worst I ever saw him in all my life. I told him I thought he was in a pretty bad fix. He said nothing, only complained of his feet. It was about four o'clock when I first heard him complain of the back of his head. There were no marks on his forehead or face. The next morning he got up and came out and sat in the big rocking chair. I told him I tracked him from Jack Hartney's saloon. He said, "No, I have no recollection of being at Jack Hartney's. I was at the Occidental." Snyder had a bone handled knife with three blades, about four inches long, one big blade being nearly the length of the knife. Mrs. Snyder got it. He had it in his pocket when he got home.
Dr. R. Harvey Reed testified: "I am a practicing physician and surgeon. I was called at noon on Friday to see a person who, it was said, was Charles A. Snyder. I had no personal acquaintance with him. I made an examination of the man. When I went to the house I found him in bed and unconscious, tumbling and tossing around, grabbing at everything and everybody who went near him. He grabbed at me. I found, on examination, there was a wound that he been dressed, on the back of his head. There was a scalp wound on the back of his head extending from the front, backward and below that. I didn't measure it exactly, but I should say in the neighborhood of an inch or one and one-half inches. I could see there was a fracture of the skull. It was toward the center of the head, but more to the right of the central portion of the head. I advised Dr. Freeman, who called me in consultation, that he be sent to the hospital, as the chances of his life were very small. An operation would have to be performed and I had considerable doubt if even that would save him. He was removed to the hospital and about three o'clock in the afternoon I operated and found a portion of the skull, about the size of a silver dollar that was depressed and crushed. The pieces that were broken were very small. I didn't save all of them, but saved a few. (Here the doctor presented the pieces of skull and a human skull being procured he described to the jury the exact location of the fracture).
Judging from what I saw of the case, he came to his death by violence to his brain. I cannot say by the force of the blow what it was made with. There was evidently to my mind at least two forces placed upon the back part of the head, in two different places. One which cut the scalp open, but did not crush the head and one which crushed the skull, but did not cut the scalp. The cut was in the middle and the crush to the right side of the head. I took the bone out on the right side of the cut. I think these injuries could not have been received from the front with a billiard cue or club. I did not see Snyder when he was conscious, I might say this—that he was probably semi-conscious the morning after the operation. He seemed to know his wife and knew enough to take a drink and do things he was told to do, but he immediately relapsed into unconsciousness. He made no statement. I couldn't tell from the wounds the relative positions of the men when the blow was struck.
Question—"Could a man produce the wound by standing in front?"
Answer—"Putting it that way I can't see how a man could. It is probably possible that a man could get such an injury by falling down on this head, if there was some hard substance to fall on, but one could hardly expect such a general fracture as that one, but still there is a bare possibility. He might have got the cut in the skull by falling under an ordinary blow, but certainly in this case there were two points of violence. It was impossible where the cut was to produce a fracture such as this one was. I was cut clear through to the skull. It was so clean a cut that I sewed it up when I operated on him. It was similar to a cut a miner receives in the mine by a piece of coal. The blow that made the cut might knock a man down."
(Crease in paper) "About six o'clock on Friday morning I was called up my Mr. Smith for some headache powders which I gave him and went to bed again. About a quarter to nine o'clock I was called to see Mr. Snyder suffering from a headache. I found him in an unconscious condition, rolling and tossing on the bed. I was informed there was a wound on the back of his head. I didn't think there was any need of examining the wound in the condition he was, so I gave him some morphine. I returned an hour later and found him in the same condition. I gave him some bromide, which did not seem to do him any good. I then examined the wound and cut the hair away from it. It was about 1 ¼ inch long. At the lower extremity about ½ inch I should judge. If found a depression of the skull. Having made my diagnosis I saw that an operation was necessary, but did not say anything to Mrs. Snyder. I simply told Mrs. Smith to get Kierle or Nelson to look after him. I told Kierle Snyder was in a bad condition and would have to be operated upon. I went to the hospital and found Dr. Reed. The doctor and I went together and the doctor stated the condition I found him in. I don't think the doctor noticed any fracture the first examination as the fracture was out of the way of the injury and I called his attention to it when he located it and said it certainly was there and told Mrs. Smith the best thing to do was to take him to the hospital and have him operated upon. He was taken there about on o'clock or half past. The operation was performed by Dr. Reed about 3 o'clock that afternoon. He was unconscious when I saw him at nine o'clock. I did not notice any bruises on the forepart of his head. Death was due to a blow or blows on the head caused by some unknown instrument. The laceration was vertical."
Otto C. Nelson testified:--"I went over to see Mr. Snyder in the morning and he was in bad condition. He complained of a sprained foot and also of a sore head. I asked him how the accident occurred and he said he didn't hardly know but he was hurt by Jack Hartney's saloon. He said he could not tell who hurt him but said "I have every reason to believe it was somebody who had no use for me and I think it is Jack Fitch, but don't know. It is only a matter of conjecture as I don't think Jack Fitch has any use for me. He said he was struck with a club. He said he thought he was held up, but since thinking the matter over he concluded it could not be that, for everybody knew he had no money.
Jack Hartney testified:--"I know the first commencement was in the evening when they had a few words. Mr. Snyder as under the influence of liquor. He was standing by the bar and getting sick began to vomit. Kimme told him to go outside and vomit. He looked up and said "I won't be ordered out of the house by you, but if Mr. Hartney wants me to go out I will go. Kimme told him he was not ordering him out, but did not want him to vomit on the bar. Kimme was just coming on his shift and I was going to supper out the front door. Snyder followed me out. We were standing on the front door step and Snyder had his knife open. He said—"Look here, I will kill that Dutch s-n of a b---h and pressed the knife against my clothes, saying "You had better not go to supper or when you come back you won't have any bar-tender." I told him that Dutchman could take care of himself. He then went around the corner and I went home. This happened about 7.30 on Wednesday evening. I could not identify the knife for he had it in his hand with about three inches of the blade out."
Thomas Brannaman testified:--"I saw Snyder between, I should judge, 10 and 11 o'clock at the Occidental saloon. He was quarreling with some parties. After they left he started in on me and during our argument he pulled knife on me. I took the knife away from him and put it in his pocket. He did it the second time when I pushed him over and he fell in a sitting position on the floor. After that he got up, quieted down and went away. No one knocked him down. When I pushed him he staggered back and sat down on the floor. Couldn't say positively when he left. About 10 or 15 minutes after we had the argument. I pushed him right across the chest, and told him to get away, that I didn't care to have any trouble with him. Yes, I can identify the knife (Knife produced) He was pretty full."
Ed Boland testified:--"Snyder came into the Occidental saloon about ten o'clock, I should judge, and called or a couple of drinks. He jumped on Ed. Thorpe for going on the bonds of some barber in a law suit. Finally Thorpe went out and he turned on Mr. Brannaman. He had a knife in his hand, holding it in this position and said "If I make a lunge at you I will get you." Finally Brannaman took it away from him and then gave it back. He started on Brannaman again when Brannaman pushed him over against the partition. When he got up Brannaman moved to the end of the bar and Snyder followed him up there. I told him he had better put that knife up. He did so, then Brannman and he got to talking on very friendly terms. He started home about 12 o'clock. Snyder fell in a squatting position and his head was not hurt in any way. He was pretty full. He had some time getting out of the door."
JURY'S VERDICT.
We, the undersigned coroner's jury, being duly impaneled and sworn according to law by Daniel L McNamara, coroner of Sweetwater county, state of Wyoming, to inquire into the cause of the death of one Charles A Snyder, after hearing the testimony of the witnesses in the case and fully completing the inquest this 9th day of November, 1897, do find that deceased came to his death on the 6th day of November, 1897, in the town or Rock Springs, county of Sweetwater, state of Wyoming, from the result of a blow or blows received on the head on the morning of the 4th of November at or in the saloon of the Harney Bros, in the town, county and state aforesaid and we do further find that the said blow or blows were inflicted with a billiard cue in the hands of one August Kimme.
W.W. Paterson, foreman,
W.W. DeCamp, clerk,
(crease in paper)
PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION
August Kimme was arrested and lodge in the city jail on Friday. His examination was continued until Wednesday to await developments and he was placed under $500 bonds which were furnished. When Snyder died he was re-arrested and again lodged in jail. On Wednesday he waived examination before justice Mellor, who placed him under $1,000. The same were furnished and Mr Kimme has his freedom until the district court beets at Green River in May, 1898.
FUNERAL
The funeral took place from the Methodist church at two o'clock on Tuesday afternoon the Rev G H Smith conducting the services. The Reverend gentleman's remarks were appropriate and well chosen. The choir sang "Jesus, Lover of My Soul," and "Abide With Me." Mrs Treasure played accompaniments on the organ. The floral offerings were numerous and beautiful. Among them was a floral column presented by the brother attorneys of the deceased, and a cross by the Lady Maccabees. The pallbearers were D A Reavell, John H Chiles, H R Denton, Otto C Nelson, D G Thomas, representatives of the local legal fraternity, John Thrift taking attorney Preston's place, who was absent from town. Their good offices on this occasion were most commendable, showing the proper spirit.
Charles A Snyder met an untimely end and everyone regrets the circumstances leading up to it. As usual the burden of it all falls upon the stricken widow, who is one of the kindest and best ladies in this city. To her the sympathy of this entire community goes out as if from one heart praying that she may find consolation from Him who doeth all things well.
Mr Snyder was 34 year of age. He was born in Pennsylvania. Besides his widow, his mother, now living on Connecticut, survives him, one brother, John, also living in Connecticut, and four married sisters:--Mrs Emma Johnson, New York; Mrs Josie Holland, Oceola, Nebraska; Mrs Mary Eckhardt, Stamford, Connecticut, and Mrs Annie Thayer, of this city. His father died two years ago. He had been married 12 years. His first appearance west was in '81 '82 when he worked for Ward & Bradbury at Shoshone, Idaho. He was a faithful employee, and Sheriff John Ward, of Evanston, hearing that he had been killed, came up on Tuesday to ascertain the particulars. He became attached to the boy years ago and felt it his duty to endeavor to right any wrong that had been done him.
Before coming here five years ago, he lived in Omaha. When he admitted to the bar about two years ago he passed a creditable examination and since that time he practiced law in this city. The first position he held here was stenographer for Chas R Kelsey at Hopkins. We can truthfully say—Poor Snyder, he had a big heart in him. His faults we veil; his good traits we extol. May he rest in peace.
CARD OF THANKS.
Mrs Snyder takes this means of thanking her many friends for their kindness and thoughtful attention extended to her in her recent affliction. She extends her warmest acknowledgements to all for the many expressions of love of which she was the recipient.
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