SEATON, WILLIAM (ca. 1826-1891)

SEATON

Posted By: Geo Clinton (email)
Date: 8/28/2015 at 10:14:35

April 18, 1891 - The Storm Lake Tribune - W.M. Seaton - Some interest was manifested on our streets Thursday morning by the announcement that W.M. Seaton, an inmate of the poor farm, had been found dead in a corn field near by the evening before. Coronor Johnston held an inquest Thursday afternoon, and the jury composed of W.B Deland, John M. Jones and C.A. Swan returned a verdict that the cause of this death was unknown, but not from any means of violence.

Arthur Wanzer was first examined and stated that about 6:00 Wednesday evening he saw him lying in the edge of the corn field about 40 rods south the Wanzer school house waving his hands for him to go away, and thinking it was some hunter after game, passed on without giving it further thought.

Wilson Burris, who is gathering cream from among the farmers, drove along about a one half hour later, and seeing him lying prostrate on the ground as if dead, called to John Gillispie who was a short distance away, to remain with the body while he notified Mr Wanzer and the steward of the poor farm.

After the inquest Thursday, the body was brought to the home of his son, Joseph, in town. The old gentleman was at times demented and it is supposed that he wandered away and died from a stroke of apoplexy. He was about 65 years old.