A GHASTLY FIND
source date: 1891
availability: public-domain

A GHASTLY FIND Monday last Alec. Woodburn, shift boss of the Kleptomania, found the body of a dead man in the bottom of an old, unused shaft, on the Aztec mine. Mr. Woodburn descended the shaft for the purpose of securing some ladders which were needed in the Kleptomania. Constable Head, of Pinos Altos, was sent for, who with Justice Newsham, repaired to the scene. A coroner’s jury was enpanneled. The body was raised to the surface, when it was discovered that owing to the advanced stage of decomposi- tion identification was impossible. Dr. Robinson gave it as his opinion that the body was that of a Mexican, who must have died or been killed some eight or ten months ago. Alec Woodburn testified that in March last he de- scended the shaft a short distance to get a ladder and remembered having seen a pair of overalls at the bottom of the shaft, but thought nothing of it. Needing another ladder he was compelled to go a little lower, when the body was plainly discernible and the discovery made. After obtaining all the information possible, the jury returned the verdict of “found dead in a shaft of the Aztec Mine.”