Thomas Gotsall

GOTSALL

Posted By: Sharon Elijah (email)
Date: 6/27/2017 at 14:13:30

28 March 1901 - Pioneer Press

Killed by the Cars at Stanwood.
Coroner L. L. Kennedy received a telephone message Monday morning from Mayor Boling, of Stanwood, stating that a man, supposed to have been a bum, had been killed in the yards there. Mr. Kennedy went down and instituted an investigation which resulted in the finding of several letters and insurance papers establishing the deceased's identity. His name was Thomas Gotsall and he had been employed as a lineman for a telegraph company.

Among the letters found was one from Alice Wilson, of Gifford, Iowa, in which she told the deceased, who had been ill, that he could stay at her home until he would recuperate and be able to work. A telegram to her brought the answer that his mother's address should be found, which proved to be Manner Park, England. He carried $1,000 accident insurance policy in which his mother was named as beneficiary in the event of his death. He also held certificates showing he had recently purchased thirty shares of mining stock.

His head was severed entirely from his body and he was otherwise mangled. The jury's verdict follows:

"An inquisition held at Stanwood in Cedar county, before L. L. Kennedy, coroner of said county, upon the body of Thos. Gotsall, there lying dead, by the jurors whose names are hereto subscribed; the said jurors upon their oaths do say that the deceased came to his death by trying to get on a Cedar Rapids pick-up train and falling under the cars. No blame is attached to the railway company. Robert Filson, Lenis Hart, Wm. Glurdiunt, Jurors.