New Arrests Made in Studzinski Murder Case

[…] Eph Dennison, who was at one time employed by Coyle as a barkeeper. Both men are pretty well known in this community. The evidence against them is very far from conclusive, but several circumstances reported to the officers are so suspicious that the county attorney considered it proper to get them in custody at once. The officers left this city at an early hour Sunday morning, and drove directly to Coyle's place at Roy. Coyle is now conducting a saloon in a tent there, and he was greatly surprised when the officers placed him under arrest on a charge of murder. He had arrived at his place from Lewistown about five hours earlier than the officers, and although the closest search was made for any incriminating evidence, none was found about the place. The officers started back with their prisoner in the afternoon, and on their way took in Dennison, the two men being placed in the county jail late Sunday night.

Evidence Against Them.

As before stated, the evidence against these men as developed so far is rather slight. It is claimed that both of them were seen in the vicinity of the Studzinski place on the night the crime was committed, and close to the time when the old man was killed. It is further alleged that Coyle was seen to turn off the arc light at that corner about that time. There are any number of rumors of a sensational nature in regard to the men, but all that is really known, or that can be traced to any reliable source, is that stated above. Even those statements may prove on further investigation to be unfounded. Both assert that they were not in the vicinity of Studzinski's little shack Wednesday night, and assert that they can account for their movements in such a way as to clear them from suspicion. They will have every chance to demonstrate the truth of their statements. Coyle is a man whose reputation is against him. He came here from Butte over a year ago and soon engaged in the saloon business, which he carried on until he was burned out. He came to town from Box Elder early last week to secure some goods that arrived here by express, and to attend to some other matters. A judgment had been secured against him by Mr. Humphrey a short time previous, and the goods were attached. He succeeded in getting the attachment released Friday last, and started for home Saturday. He is about 50 years of age, and is married.

Dennison is a widower, and has two daughters. He was very well acquainted with Studzinski, and is said to have done considerable business for him in the way of buying hides. According to the statements made to the officers, he was with Coyle on Wednesday night near Studzinski's place. A man named Hatch, who hangs around saloons and has, since the commission of this crime, shown a disposition to "butt in" whenever parties supposed to know anything about the case were in conversation, has also been placed under arrest. There is really nothing against the man at this time, except a suspicion that he might be conveying information to parties more deeply interested in the matter than himself.

Sunday evening Night Marshal Murray and Deputy Sheriff Silverthorne arrested a man named Smith, a comparative stranger, who is said to be a cook by occupation. He was placed in the city jail. The officers have been reliably informed that Smith was seen at the corner of Studzinski's place at a late hour Wednesday night, apparently waiting for something. Unless it is a case of mistaken identity, this arrest may develop into an important one.

Prisoners Must Explain.

More than one party has informed the officers that Coyle and Dennison were about Studzinski's place Wednesday night. The manner in which this has been corroborated will make it necessary for the prisoners to explain. Coyle, as before stated, says he will have no trouble to do this. If he is speaking the truth, that will end the case so far as he is concerned, but if he cannot, the suspicion against him will simply be strengthened. The officers do not make any pretense that they have a strong case against the prisoners, and the arrests are more of a precaution than anything else. Developments that will warrant the release of the prisoners at once, or their further detention, are expected immediately.

Hour When Murder Was Committed.

It is now generally accepted that the crime was committed late Wednesday night, or perhaps as late as 1:30 Thursday morning. Irene Desy, a farmer who had occasion to go for Dr. Atchison late Wednesday night, states that when he passed Studzinski's place about 10 o'clock, he saw two men talking to the old man at Studzinski's door. When Dr. Atchison returned from his visit at about 10 o'clock in the morning, he noticed that there was no light in the little house.

Another party, who knew Studzinski well, was going along Main street with a traveling man, who is visiting here, and who was stopping below the old man's place. As they passed the corner on the opposite side of Main street, Studzinski's friend noticed that there was a light in the old man's window, and calling the other party's attention to it, said he was surprised at the old man being up so late, and wondered if he could be sick. After crossing the street to the north, he concluded to go over and investigate, and the two went across Main street diagonally toward Studzinski's corner. When in the middle of the street, the light suddenly went out, and the men resumed their walk. This was somewhere about 1 o'clock in the morning.

These and several other circumstances have led to the conclusion that there were two men in the crime, and that while one went in to do the terrible deed, the other waited on the outside to keep watch. A slight tap on the side of the house, which is right along the line of the sidewalk on First avenue, would be sufficient to warn the man inside that someone was coming.

The Weapon Used.

At the inquest, considerable testimony was given to show that the blow that caused Studzinski's death could have been caused by the knife found on the floor. Several experienced men say this theory is absolutely incredible. If the knife, which was in the scabbard, was used as a club, such a blow as was delivered would throw it out of the scabbard, if held by the blade. If held by the hilt, no such wound could have been inflicted by the knife under any circumstances.

Studzinski Was Afraid.

It is well known that Studzinski was afraid he would meet just such a fate as finally overtook him. On a score of occasions he has told the officers that he feared enemies would kill him. He was never very definite in these statements, but doubtless knew he was suspected of having a large sum of money, and his lonely life made him nervous. On one occasion, he told Rev. H. G. Wakefield of his fears.

May Have Had Much Money.

It may never be known how much plunder the murderer secured, but it may easily have been a large sum. While Studzinski had an account at the Bank of Fergus County, and had some money on deposit there when he was killed, the amount was small. Not long ago, Peter Rosso, the Maiden mining man, happened in to Charley Linder's little confectionery store, opposite Studzinski's place. The latter came in about the same time, and wanted to sell Mr. Rosso a watch. Mr. Rosso said he already had three watches, and the old man then wanted to sell him a fur coat or a gun. These offers were all declined, and Studzinski said: "Is there anything you will buy? Can't I sell you some $20 gold pieces?"

Appreciating the old man's joke, Mr. Rosso replied: "Yes, I'll take some of them at $19.50 each," at the same time drawing out a thick roll of bills.

"Oh, I have got the gold pieces," said Studzinski, laughing, and at the same time he drew from an inner pocket a sack that was completely filled with double eagles. He poured enough of these into one hand to fill it, and Mr. Rosso thinks he must have had close to 100 of the pieces. In somewhat the same way, Studzinski exhibited large sums of money to various persons. Only a few days ago, in talking with a young friend, the old man drew out some $400. He appears to have been vain over the money he had accumulated, and on such occasions as those related, did not hesitate to show it, although he must have known, with all his suspicions, how dangerous such a practice is. These circumstances are simply cited to show that while the money the old man is known to have had was not much over $100, he may have had as much as $2,000.

Knew the Murderer.

All who have investigated the case at all are convinced that Studzinski was killed by some one he knew. The acquaintance may have been an old one, or it may have been formed the very afternoon preceding the crime, but it may be taken as certain that whoever succeeded in getting the old man to admit him at night was known to him, and probably very well known. Both Coyle and Dennison would fill this requirement perfectly.

Inquest Held Saturday.

The inquest over the remains of the late Samuel Studzinski, the old man who was so brutally murdered last week, was held at the sheriff's office Saturday morning, Coroner F. F. Attix conducting the inquiry, with James Reading, Noble Walker, J. E. Lane, Robert Jackson, Al. Fleming and Fred Bean as jurors. Sheriff Slater and County Attorney Ayers were also in attendance.

Time of the Murder Fixed.

Little of importance was brought out, in addition to the facts given in the Argus Friday. It was established, however, that the murder was committed Wednesday night instead of Thursday night, as was at first supposed. The physicians who conducted the post mortem examination testified positively that from the condition of the body, death must have ensued not later than Wednesday night. Some witnesses were strongly of the opinion that they saw the old man Thursday, and one swore positively to this, but he is evidently mistaken.

Weapon Used by Murderer.

It was also shown that, in all probability, the murder was committed with the knife found on the floor of the little home by Sheriff Slater Friday morning. The knife was in its scabbard. It is a double-edged weapon, with a horn handle, and is very heavily metaled at the butt, which has a circle of brass, enclosing a considerable amount of lead, so that its weight, all told, is about 3½ pounds. A person using it as a club, by grasping the scabbard over the blade, could deliver a terrible blow, and the wounds indicate that they were made by just such a weapon. Two slight scalp wounds would be inflicted by the guard, while 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, jew...[...]