Obit: Barth, Brutus ( -1913)

Contact: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: BARTH RAMBERG NEILSEN MITCHELL DEMPSEY

----Source: Greenwood Gleaner 8/28/1913

FOUND DEAD IN WOODS--Barth, Brutus ( -1913)

The body of an unidentified man was found in the woods on the Oscar Ramberg farm in the Town of Longwood Tuesday evening by Chas. Ramberg, father of Oscar Ramberg, who was looking over the farm while temporarily staying at his son's place.

The gruesome find was made about five o'clock Tuesday evening and authorities at Withee were immediately notified but it was not until Wednesday forenoon that constable C. W. Dempsey, accompanied by Justice E. E. Neilsen and Dr. Mitchell were able to go to the place of the tragedy and view the remains of the unfortunate man.

From the examination and investigation conducted it became evident that the deceased was a man of about thirty years of age, that he came to his death by his own hand, having committed suicide by hanging, using a piece of basswood fiber to commit the deed that he was about five feet nine inches tall and weighed 190 pounds. He was dressed in a working man's shirt and overalls no coat or vest and a search of his pockets revealed only a cheap watch, twenty five cents in money, two cuts of chewing tobacco and a snuff box containing a powder resembling some hay fever or asthma cure. Indications showed that he had mounted a stump and tied the bark or fiber about his neck, and then jumped off the stump to effect strangulation. When discovered, the body was lying on its back, the knees slightly bent upwards, the fiber cord broken, as it had become dry. The face and hands were completely decomposed and consumed, while the balance of the body was very near a state of complete decomposition.

Not an article or a piece of paper of any kind from which the body might be identified could be found, and it is thought that the deceased had carefully planned to avoid identification.

At this time no disposition of the body has been made, the cost of taking care of a body in the state in which this one was found is making it extremely difficult to find anyone will to tackle the job.

It is absolutely impossible to guess who the stranger might be, but it is surmised that he was a man temporarily employed up on the Iverson farm a few weeks ago. (Clark County Journal)

Follow on in Greenwood Gleaner of 9/11/1913

BODY IDENTIFIED

That the dead body found in the woods in the Town of Longwood about three weeks ago is that of Butus Barth, of Thorp, seems now to be practically certain. Caesar Barth, brother of Brutus, has positively identified the deceased's purse, watch and clothing, and a further inquest and examination will be made to establish as facts certain claims made.

It now develops that the theory of murder is quite plausible, as in case the deceased was Brutus Barth, he is supposed to have had on his person a large sum of money, presumably between three and four hundred dollars, the three hundred of which is said to have been collected on a note due the deceased about three or four weeks before the body was found.

Some things are certain, viz.: that he has not been seen for about six or eight weeks that the body found tallies in height and weight with that of Brutus Barth. One thing is reasonably certain and that is that the brother of Brutus Barth is able to positively identify his persona belongings.

If deceased had on his person a large amount of money, a motive for the crime is present. If deceased committed suicide, what became of the money (Clark County Journal)