The Bismarck Tribune

Gruesome Discovery Made Late Last Evening By Railroad Employes
MAN'S NECK WAS BROKEN
Body Had Been in the Water Three or Four Weeks- Badly Decomposed

The badly decomposed body of a man was found in Apple Creek last night just before dusk and local authorities today are working on the theory that the man was murdered and his body disposed of in the creek in order that his attackers could get away with an automobile which he is believed to have had with him. The body had been in the water for at least three or four weeks.

The discovery was made by Northern Pacific section men who were walking along the creek bed last evening looking for a suitable place in which to swim. They immediately notified local officials and Coroner E. J. Gobel and several men from Sheriff Albin Hedstrom's office went to the creek and took charge of the body. The man's neck was broken, according to the doctor who examined the body after it was brought here, but the body was in such an advanced stage of decomposition that it was impossible to tell, he said, whether death had been caused by violence or by drowning.

The body was lying on its face in about seven inches of water, part of it being above the water. The man was fully dressed in heavy winter clothing, except that his shoes were unlaced and he wore no socks. He wore overalls and a heavy leather jacket tightly buttoned. The body was found in the creek about two miles east of the Patterson place, south of the Northern Pacific railway tracks, and about one-half mile from the Red Trail. It was at the foot of a bank about 14 feet high and authorities express the opinion that the man was killed, and his body carried along the creek to that point and thrown over the bank.

Had Money and Papers

Theft of his personal belongings apparently was not the motive for the killing, if the man was murdered, for his watch, keys, $3 in change, and a traveler's check for $20 were found in his clothing. The watch had stopped at three minutes after 12.

In his clothing was also found an automobile insurance policy made out to H. F. Saur, covering a 1925 model Ford coupe, motor number 11,947,300, which, the policy stated, had been purchased by Mr. Saur in July, 1925.

The policy was issued by the Foster County bank at Carrington, N. D., on May 8, this year, and said that the car was usually kept in a private garage on lot 3, block 44, west side, Carrington. The policy was signed by J. C. Hoffert of Carrington, and stated that the man owning the car was a painter and auctioneer. The traveler's check was also issued by the Foster County bank and the carrying case contained the stubs of three other checks which had been torn out. The traveler's check was made out to Wm. Sauer.

Among his papers was also a life insurance loan agreement blank, dated March 27, 1924, and made out to Wm. J. Sauer of Crocker, S. D.

Came From South Dakota

Mr. Hoffert of Carrington told Coroner Gobel over the telephone early today that he remembered issuing the automobile insurance policy to Mr. Saur and that the man secured traveler's checks for a total of $50. He had about $200 with him at that time Hoffert said. Saur had been around Carrington for some time but came there from South Dakota and did not make Carrington his permanent residence. From his conversation Hoffert believed Saur planned to go on a trip soon after insuring the automobile and getting the traveler's checks.

Communicating with the authorities at Crocker, S. D., this morning, Coroner Gobel learned that the body found here answers the description of William Sauer, formerly of Crocker, and that the man has a brother, H. F. Sauer, who is a farmer living in that vicinity. The police there knew little concerning either of the two men or their recent whereabouts, but are investigating today and more information is expected later.

If the body is not claimed within a day or two it will be buried here.