NORTON, Wilbur E. 1874-1904

NORTON

Posted By: Kathy Gerkins (email)
Date: 10/2/2013 at 19:16:02

orton, Wilbur

A TRAGIC DEATH

Wilbur Norton Meets Death Under the Car Wheels
Last Friday night Wilbur Norton son of Harvey Norton, near Double Day, threw himself in front of the Milwaukee flyer going east, and was ground to pieces, his body having been ground to pieces, his body having been cut in two and his legs severed from his body, besides being otherwise mutilated.

Coroner Dennis was called and an inquest was begun and then continued over until the next morning.

Wilbur and Robert owned a farm together and just rented it and were adjusting their partnership affairs, and according to the testimony of his father and brothers, that while usually of a jovial disposition, yet a few days before his death, he had been reserved and melancholy. He had also commented upon the death of Mr. Heddens and thought he had done the right thing to kill himself. And upon his brother Robert remarking that he was not feeling well on the afternoon before the tragedy, Wilbur told him he thought it would do him good to attend a funeral. He had worn his brothers coat the night of the tragedy which was found hanging on the gate near where he was run over.

The coroner's jury was composed of Frank Harvey, Jack Lawrence, and W. D.Lambert, returned a verdict that deceased came to his death by his own act.

He was a member of the Masonic order and the Woodmen.

The funeral of Wilbur Norton occurred this afternoon at the Congregational Church and he was laid away to rest in beautiful Riverside Cemetery.

Wilbur was the eldest son of Mrs. and Mrs. Norton and his death has snapped the family chain which was not broken before and which can never be mended, for who can take his place or share the grief of the broken hearted parents and fond brothers and sisters whose joy and pride he was. Living, he was a perfect example of what a young man should be and when fate laid her hand upon his brow a noble life was ended. Gone but not forgotten, for the memory of him will live forever fresh in the minds of those who knew him best.

He will be greatly missed in the young peoples' circle, where his kind, generous and faultless ways made him a special favorite, and though he has drifted out of the circle whose oracle he has once been he has entered a beautiful fold where wardens away to welcome him.

Newspaper clipping from the Floyd County Museum.