Inquest Reveals Grim Details of Studzinski Murder

The hole in the skull at the back of the head would be caused by the butt. A most peculiar circumstance in connection with this knife is that it was the property of Studzinski, and was stolen from his place Wednesday, during his temporary absence. As the theft was committed in broad daylight, and the place must have been entered by the front door, which was left unlocked, it seems possible that some one might have seen the thief entering or leaving the place. This point the officers will, no doubt, try to clear up. Several persons who were at the place on that day have already been accounted for, and every one who was seen to enter or leave will have to be looked up, because it is reasonably certain that the man who stole the knife is the same person who delivered the death blow.

Amount of Plunder Taken. The amount of plunder secured by the murderer is not definitely known. Studzinski had probably not less than $100 in money there, and the sum may have been very much larger. He had several watches of value and some jewelry, but whether the box of diamonds and other gems that has been talked about so much was in the trunk is not known. At all events, the watches, jewelry and money formed a lot of plunder of no small value.

Testimony of J. C. Luton. J. C. Luton was the first witness called. He had known Studzinski several years, and wrote all of his business letters for him. He stated that the deceased had gone right through the trunk several times in his presence, and he knew that he had a number of watches and revolvers on hand. Usually the old man kept something like $100 on hand for the transaction of business in buying hides and furs and as a pawn broker. Studzinski was very careful and was not in the habit of doing business except in the day time. A few days ago, the deceased told the witness that a man had come to his place at night to buy a gun, and although he offered him $15 for a weapon, Studzinski refused to do business with him. The old man said that the visitor was short and dark, and had sparse whiskers, which appeared to him to be false. It was doubtless this circumstance, and the fact that the caller was a stranger to him, that made him so cautious on this occasion. Mr. Luton told of calling at Studzinski's place Friday morning to give the old man his mail, and seeing the body lying on the floor, upon which he called in the officers.

Left Meat for Him Wednesday. O. L. Bryant, a butcher, testified that last Thursday morning he called at Studzinski's place and left some meat for him. He found the door locked, and placed the meat on a box in front of it. Friday morning at about 8 o'clock, the witness was driving by the place and saw the meat still lying where he had left it.

Fixing the Time of the Murder. Alex. Branson, proprietor of the First and Last Chance saloon on Main street, opposite and a little above Studzinski's place, gave some very important testimony. He said the old man was in the habit of visiting the saloon each noon for a glass of beer, and frequently came in the afternoon and purchased a small pail of beer. In addition to that, when the old man did any business at night in the way of making a loan, he always came over to the saloon and borrowed what money he needed until morning. Studzinski explained this by saying that he never showed his money to callers at night. He last saw the old man alive on Wednesday, when he called twice. On one of these occasions he told the witness about the knife having been stolen from his place. When Mr. Branson closed up his saloon Wednesday night, he stopped outside and looked up and down the street, as was his custom, to see if there were any strange men lurking about. In this way he chanced to look toward Studzinski's place, where there are some trees, and his attention was attracted by a light in the old man's room. As he started away, it commenced to sprinkle, and he stopped, waiting for the shower to cease. When it had done so, he resumed his walk, and looking over toward Studzinski's place saw that the light was out. From the time he noticed the light until he observed it was out was only a few minutes.

The Post Mortem. Dr. W. A. Long testified that he attended the post mortem, and described the wounds on the body of the deceased. They consisted of scalp wounds and a fracture of the skull three inches long by an inch and a half wide, from which the brains exuded. This wound was necessarily fatal. In addition there was a cord around the neck of deceased, drawn so tight that it was not easily seen. The wounds on the head, the doctor thought, might have been caused by a blow from the hilt of the knife introduced as an exhibit.

Told About the Knife. William McGlenning, a bar keeper at Branson's saloon, told of the last time he saw the deceased alive. It was about 4 or 5 o'clock Wednesday afternoon. Studzinski told the witness about some one having visited his place and stolen his double edged knife.

Bought a Pistol of Him. Joe Decker gave an account of a transaction with Studzinski last week. He called to buy a pistol, and paid the old man $2.50 for a weapon. Decker was positive that this occurred Thursday afternoon, but there is little doubt about his being mistaken on that point. Alfred Van Hausendank was at the old man's place at the time, and made change for Studzinski. He fixed the time as Thursday, and both witnesses testified that while they were there, a short, dark man, with sparse whiskers, called and asked the old man what he would pay for a hide. Studzinski told him to bring the hide and he would tell him.

Roy Hopkins stated that he saw Studzinski last on Wednesday, when he sold him some goods at the store. Coroner Attix then stated the result of the post mortem examination. This being practically the same as the testimony given by Dr. Long on the same point.

Exhibits in the Case. The sheriff had at the office Studzinski's hat, worn by him when he was killed. It is a stiff hat, and the top of it is crushed in where the blow was delivered, the felt being broken in an irregular manner at the place over the wound in the head. The jurors also saw the two mysterious cards left by the murderer, bearing the inscription, written by his finger dipped in blood, "K. C. No. 17."

Verdict of Murder. The jurors then retired and brought in the following verdict: "The said jurors on their oaths do say that the said Samuel Studzinski came to his death by means of blows on the top of the head with some blunt instrument inflicted by a party or parties unknown to the jurors, the same being committed with murderous intent, on or about August 23, at his residence, corner of Main street and Third avenue."

Is Clear Enough. With the facts as now revealed, it does not require much imagination to reconstruct the terrible scene that was enacted in Studzinski's little home Wednesday night. Some party or parties, probably known in some way to the old man, called there ostensibly to transact some business. It is more than likely that they had seen the old man prior to this call, and perhaps partially made a deal. It would be easy enough to pretend, during the usual hours, that a watch was wanted, and on ascertaining the price, for the party to have said that he did not have that amount with him, but would call in the evening. Some such subterfuge was probably used, for an utter stranger would not have been admitted, much less induced Studzinski to open up his trunk. Having succeeded so far, when the old man unlocked his trunk, and was stooping over to lift out the tray, this murderous blow was delivered from behind. This much is proven by the fact that the blood collected by the trunk shows that he was struck while there, and as the blood flowed into the tray, and not into the bottom of the trunk, it will at once be seen that the murderer himself lifted out the tray after the blow was delivered, and after he had stretched out the body of the old man on the floor, where it was discovered. The rope was drawn about the neck after the blow was struck, and very little blood flowed after that. Having committed the awful deed, the criminal helped himself to the victim's valuables, and having secured the loot, took two cards which he found in the place, and dipping his finger in Studzinski's blood, wrote the message that has caused so much speculation.

The Mysterious Message. As to that message many constructions have been placed upon it. Some think it is intended as a notice to some pals in another part of the country, while others read it differently, some even connecting it with Kid Curry. In all probability, the message has not the slightest significance. It was probably merely a "smart" trick on the part of a most desperate criminal, by which he hoped to get the officers started on some wild goose chase. Sheriff Slater and all others who have had any experience with criminals, take this view of it.

Funeral Held Saturday. In pursuance of the instructions received by J. W. Luton from Studzinski's brother in San Francisco, the funeral of the murdered man took place from Creel's undertaking parlors Saturday, under the direction of Mr. Luton. As there is no rabbi in Lewistown, the Jewish ceremonies were performed by Mr. Emil W. Saxl. The interment was in the city cemetery.

Coyle is Interviewed. Coyle was interviewed by the Argus at the county jail last evening, and the prisoner reiterated his statements to the officers that he could prove he was not near the scene of the tragedy when the murder was committed. He seemed quite cheerful, but regretted being kept so long away from his business. Coyle stated that he had not seen Studzinski in several months.