Las Vegas Age, December 18, 2003, Clark County, Nevada  
Copyright © 2003 Gerry Perry <MissGerry@cox.net>

This copy contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives.

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LAS VEGAS AGE
1/30/1915

GEO. VAN NATTA WAS MURDERED

BODY FOUND FLOATING IN RESERVOIR, BUT DEATH CAME FROM BROKEN NECK

    The body of George VAN NATTA was found floating in the emergency 
reservoir at the ice plant last Monday afternoon by Henry BECHTEL, 
employed at the plant. It was in an unpright position with the face 
slightly bent forward.
    A coroner's jury was selected by Coroner HARKINS, composed of J. L. 
RUSSELL, foreman, L. H. ROCKWELL, A. H. KRAMER, J. W. SEIDERS, W. S. 
RHOADS and Charles HERBST, and a careful investigation of the death 
made. The verdict was that George VAN NATTA came to his death from a 
dislocated neck caused by violence either at the party held at the 
cottage on Fourth street, three houses south of Bridger, on the night of 
Jan. 1st, or a fall from weakness, caused by a beating received at the 
party. The jury recommended that further investigation be made of all 
parties implicated in the party.
    On the night of Jan. 1st, so the evidence shows, the bunch got 
together at the cottage for a "party."  All were drunk, with possibly 
one exception. A fight ensued, during which all the others helped beat 
VAN NATTA. Mrs. E. SHEPPARD, residing next door, was awakened and 
called to the men to stop. VAN NATA was able to get up but fell down 
several times before getting out of sight. Two of the men then started 
to follow him. Although A. John GREEN testified that he saw VAN NATTA 
the next day, the indications are that the fatal injury was inflicted at 
or soon after the party and that the guilty parties placed the body in 
the reservoir to conceal their crime.
    The autopsy made by Dr. Roy W. MARTIN revealed the fact that the man 
did not drown, his lungs being free from water. No very serious 
contusions were found and no fracture of the skull. But the neck of the 
unfortunate man was broken.
    Those who testified were Henry BECHTEL, John B. CURTISS, Wm. 
CAMPBELL, Charles JEFFERY, Wm. MC KENNEY, Mrs. SHEPPARD, A. J. GREEN, 
Dr. Roy W. MARTIN, Chester DAVIES, L. D. SMITH and Carl W. WIBERG.
    The brother of the deceased arrived from Helper, Utah, and had the 
remains buried here.
    Warrants were issued for the arrest of William CAMPBELL, Charles 
JEFFRIES, Wm. MC KENNEY, Carl WIBERG, Chester DAVIS, Ford PILGRIM, 
Gaston FADOR and Harry HARDING, all of whom were arrested. The four 
first named are held in jail pending the further investigation. The 
others have been released.