Bulgarian Dies In Maquoketa of Gun Shot

CORTESE

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 11/24/2012 at 10:31:38

The Lost Nation Press, July 30, 1914

BULGARIAN LABORER MORTALLY WOUNDED IN FIGHT

ELWOOD, IOWA, Special.

This otherwise quiet and peaceful neighborhood was startled Tuesday morning when two shots rang out on the morning air at the section car on the railway tracks and the report became current that a laborer had been shot in a quarrel by one of his fellow workmen. The injured man proved to be Peter Cortese and the man who did the shooting is known as "Joe." The men had been engaged in a wordy altercation and Pete finally kicked his bunkmate "Joe" out of the car. The latter retaliated by drawing a gun which he discharged point blank at his assailant. The bullet entered the victim's lower bowel region and it was at once apparent the wound was a serious one. The injured man was placed aboard No. 10 and hurried to a hospital in Clinton. In the meantime "Joe" the gunman was taken into custody and after a preliminary examination before Justice Cornish, was committed to the County Jail in Clinton. It is a sad sequel to a petty quarrel and the gun was all too handy. Human life is cheap when such fellows lose self control.

The Lost Nation Press, August 6, 1914

PETE CORTESE DIES IN MAQUOKETA OF GUN SHOT

As a sequel to the item in the last issue of the Press, regarding Pete Cortese, we record the death ensued last Wednesday at 10 a.m. in the Maquoketa Sanitarium. His remains were taken to Harrisons Funeral Home, an administrator was appointed to have his affairs tended to and as a mark of respect to Pete a service was conducted at the Church by Rev. Cleveland. The pall bearers were mostly all his fellow section men, who had also prepared his grave. He was buried last Friday at Elwood Cemetery. Last May he sent money to his sister and her children in far away Europe to come to America to live. Her address was found among her effects and she was notified of his sad death and advised not to come.