Further investigation in to the Dallas Morning News database reveals that Max Eberle was a bartender at Turner Hall, in excellent physical health and a well-liked employee. Two boys on their way to work at the cotton mill discovered his suspended body from a switch beam near the railroad.
One day after his name appeared in the mortuary reports, a description of the scene was published on March 16, 1899: “On the forehead was a cut about an inch in length and less than a quarter of an inch in depth. In the right temple was a hole, barely large enough to admit of the entrance of a lead pencil. A short distance from the body was a pool of water in which bloody spots could still be seen, and leading from it back to the switch beam were blood-stained footprints. The hands of the dead man were covered with blood. On the ground was found $3.50 and a bloody corkscrew. No weapons of any kind were found.” The owner of Turner Hall claimed that Eberle was nervous and requested a vacation two days prior – the owner granted the vacation request and loaned Eberle $5.
This death was never solved, with the Justice going on record as saying he didn’t have sufficient evidence to render a verdict as to cause of death. My historian spidey-senses, honed on Law&Order, suspect foul play.
