The Tragedy at Hootman Creek

Spokane Falls, Aug. 13.—The lifeless body of Wm. O'Dell, 44 years of age, a long-time resident of Montana, was found yesterday near Hootman Creek. It is believed to be a case of suicide. Two silk handkerchiefs were spliced, passed about the neck and fastened to a branch of the tree. The suicide hung off the tree and was strangulated. The deceased had a partner named Nelson, who committed suicide by shooting himself two weeks ago. Both were railroad laborers. There is a strange mystery connected with the suicide of Wm. O'Dell and the tragic termination of the life of his friend and partner, Chris Nelson. The latter fatally shot himself in his room at the Coeur d'Alene saloon two weeks ago. No one could find any reason for his partner's madness, as he did not drink and possessed considerable means, yet both hanged themselves without any apparent reason. Information came from Seattle at the inquest that a contract was found among O'Dell's effects. The contract was between D. P. Denny & Co. of Seattle, and William O'Dell, Chris Nelson, and a man named Heck. It was dated March 1888, and for the worth of $1,000 to them for a limited amount of work. The contract had been forfeited. It is that of the O'Dell and Nelson, the two suicides. It has come to light that they had been at Seattle. It is thought that one of O'Dell's men was driven to economic suicide, for he had been out of work and could not endure it. He had been a first-class man who had worked on the Cascade division of the Northern Pacific; a steady, industrious man who had gone to Seattle for money which he expected to receive in a few days.