Considerable talk arose Sunday morning upon the discovery of the death of Sjur Tong, whose sudden demise gave evidence of foul play. Several outside newspapers grabbed the story and spread rumors to that effect. The coroner’s jury, however, showed natural death. Tong, an old cruiser, came from Makinock, North Dakota, over a year ago. He was too fond of the flowing bowl and Saturday night he was sick from the effect of a protracted spree. He went into A. L. Collards saloon, now in charge of “Sailor Pete,” and asked to lay down. When the saloon closed about midnight, he was carried into a rear room while still in a drunken stupor. The next morning he was found dead. Assistant Coroner Newman summoned a jury who examined the corpse and had him removed to Naylor & Young’s undertaking rooms. The next day they rendered their decision that death was caused by alcoholism. The only signs of violence on his person was a red mark on his arm. Tong was a Swede, 53 years old. A brother and a nephew arrived Monday from Winnipeg and escorted the body to the village cemetery that afternoon. (Bemidji Pioneer, Aug 30, 1900)
Exploring the Rich History of the Bemidji Area