Beach, Howard – d. 1935

BEACH, BEATTY, JOHNSON

Posted By: JCGS Volunteer
Date: 3/1/2015 at 12:21:32

Death Comes In Legion Hall
Howard Beach Succumbs to Heart Attack Tuesday Night
The untimely death of Howard Beach of this city in the American Legion hall last evening about 10:15 has brought sorrow to his many friends and relatives throughout the city. Death occurred before a physician could arrive at the hall.
A coroner’s inquest will probably not be held until the return of Dr. E. A. McMurray, Jasper county coroner, who is now on his vacation. At that time the inquest will be set forth all the facts concerning the case.
Rumors Afloat
There are many conflicting stories afloat in regard to Mr. Beach’s sudden death. Many of them are unfounded rumors and wholly without foundation, in fact, as near as could be learned today.
Many local legionnaires and out-of-town visitors who were at the hall yesterday have stated that Mr. Beach had been drinking rather heavily during the day. It has also been stated that he proved a bit quarrelsome not only with friends but with strangers. However, his friends did not take him seriously at any time and he was permitted to be about the hall all day. It is stated that about 10 o’clock he and his good friend Willard Burroughs engaged in what was said to be a friendly wrestling match with the result that Beach was able to pin his opponents shoulders to the floor. It could not be learned if Burroughs had been drinking. The exertion seemed to prove entirely too much for him. His friends noted that he was “in a faint” and carried him to one of the couches of the hall immediately. A physician was called but before his arrival, Mr. Beach’s heart had stopped.
Post Mortem
Dr. John Faust, acting Jasper county coroner refused to make any statements as to the direct cause of Beach’s death. The coroner stated that he would make a post mortem of the body at 5 o’clock this afternoon and would then issue a statement as to the direct cause of Beach’s death.
The deceased has been an employee of the Maytag Company here for some time, and is very well known throughout the city. He came here from Perry, Ia., 12 years ago.
Mr. Beach was a member of Newton Post 111, American Legion. He was formerly affiliated with the Veterans of Foreign Wars, being a charter member of the local post, and was also a former member of the I.O.O.F. lodge.
He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, but had not affiliated with the local church since moving to Newton.
Survivors
No funeral arrangements had been made this morning.
Beach is survived by three brothers, Chase Beach, Newton; Wesley Beach, Osage, Ia.; and Harry Beach, Norfolk, Ia.; two sisters, Mrs. Guy Beatty, Emmett, Idaho, and Mrs. Elma Johnson, Mahmonmen, Minn., his wife and two children, Luella, 11 and Howard, 8. His mother also lived with him. His father died five years ago.
Source: The Newton Daily News; Wednesday, 26 June 1935, pg. 1

Funeral Rites Set for Beach
Post Mortem Reveals Hemorrhage Into Covering of Brain
A post mortem examination Wednesday afternoon revealed that Howard Beach’s death Tuesday night was caused by “the spontaneous hemorrhage into the covering of the brain, with no evidence of injury of any king,” Dr. John Faust, acting Jasper county coroner, reported today.
Dr. Julius S. Weingart of Des Moines made the examination.
Beach, 27-year old world war veteran, died in the American Legion clubrooms. It was reported that he and his friend Willard Burroughs engaged in what was said to be a friendly wrestling match and that the exertion proved to much for Beach.
Relatives have insisted that an inquest be held and it will take place as soon as Dr. E. A. McMurray, county coroner, returns from a vacation trip to Minnesota and Wisconsin. Dr. McMurray was expected to return sometime today.
Military funeral rites for Beach will be conducted Friday at 2 p.m. from the First Congregational church. Dr. J. Irvine Walker, pastor of the church, will deliver the funeral sermon. Interment will be in Newton Union cemetery.
The deceased was a member of Newton post No. 111 American Legion.
Members of the American legion auxiliary drill team are asked to meet with the auxiliary outside the church just before the service to attend the rites in a body.
Legionnaires are to meet at the hall at 1:30 p.m.
Source: The Newton Daily News; Thursday, 27 June 1935, pg. 1, col. 8

Headline: Beach Inquest To Be Saturday
Source: The Newton Daily News; Friday, 28 June 1935, pg. 1

Headline: Coroner’s jury reports Beach’s death ‘natural’
Source: The Newton Daily News; Saturday, 29 June 1935, pg. 1

Military Rites Held For Beach
Funeral Sermon Delivered By Dr. Walker at Congregational Church
Military rites for Howard Beach, 37-year old World War veteran, were conducted Friday afternoon by members of Newton Post No. 111, American Legion, of which he was a member.
The funeral service was conducted at 2 p.m. from the First Congregational church by Dr. J. Irvine Walker, pastor.
Music for the service was furnished by Richard Toedt, who sang, “Abide With me” and Jesus Savior Pilot Me.” Mrs. Vera Trevits Scheel was the accompanist.
The Legion chaplain, Vern Grant, was in charge of the military service at the graveside in the Newton Union cemetery. With the assistance of Acting Commander P. L. Stow, he presented the flag which draped the casket to the widow. The salute was fired by the firing squad and taps were sounded by Adrian Sapp.
Pallbearers were O. K. Smith, F. Rollstin, Charles Wittel, W. Schermerhorn, W. Scott and Kenneth Adams.
Members of the American Legion post and the auxiliary attended the services in a body.
Mr. Beach, resident of Newton for 12 years, died Tuesday night in the local legion club rooms. He was an employee of the Maytag company.
Surviving relatives include his widow; two children, Luella, 11 and Howard, 8; his mother, three brothers and two sisters. His father preceded him in death five years ago.
Source: The Newton Daily News; Saturday, 29 June 1935, pg. 1