Davis, Harriett Almeda 1870-1920

DAVIS, MORGAN, VAN NEST, MORE, KOESTER, QUAINTANCE, SIMPSON, SWISHER

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 2/10/2005 at 17:44:32

GAS FUMES ARE CAUSE OF DEATH

Mrs. John Davis Found Dead on Kitchen Floor of Her Home About 5:30 O'clock Last Evening.

Mrs. John Davis, 919 Seventh Street, Northeast, was found dead on the kitchen floor of the Davis home Friday evening about 5:30 o'clock. She apparently had been dead for more than twenty-four hours when found.

Mr. Davis left sometime Thursday morning for a two day visit with his brother, Fred Davis, near New Sharon. When he returned home Friday evening and stepped on the porch, he noticed two milk bottles on the porch, indicating the milk had not been taken in the house Thursday evening.

He opened the kitchen door and found the body of his wife on the kitchen floor. He called Dr. E.F. Besser. When Dr. Besser saw the body he called Dr. M.R. Hammer, Sr., county coroner. It was discovered the house was full of gas fumes but examination of the situation by Dr. Besser and Dr. Hammer led them to reach the conclusion that death was caused by accidental asphyxiation and the coroner decided it was not necessary to hold an inquest.

On the kitchen table was found some fresh bread which Mrs. Davis had evidently just finished baking on Thursday morning. The theory held is that after finishing her baking Mrs. Davis sat down in a chair to rest for a few minutes and that escaping gas fumes overcame her and she fell from her chair and died shortly afterward. She was found by the side of her chair and every indication points to accidental death.

Harriet Almeda Morgan was born five miles south of Kellogg, December 28, 1870 and was married to John Davis December 16, 1903. While still a young girl she joined the Christian church at Kellogg of which organization she was a faithful member until shortly after moving to Newton when marrying Mr. Davis, when she changed her membership to the Methodist Episcopal church of this city. She was a devoted church member, a kind, loving wife and a splendid neighbor.

She leaves to mourn her death her husband, two brothers, R.G. Morgan, Fern Hill, Minnesota; John L. Morgan, Austin, Minnesota; five sisters, Mrs. Margery Van Nest, Parsons, Kansas; Mrs. Amanda More, Ionia, Kansas; Mrs. Fannie Koester, Beulah, South Dakota; Mrs. Mary Quaintance, Oskaloosa, Iowa, and Mrs. Tama Simpson, Newton.

Those of her family who have preceded her in death besides her father and mother are William Morgan, a brother and Arminta Swisher, a sister.

Funeral services will be held from the home Sunday afternoon at 3:00 o'clock, Dr. C.B. Hankins, pastor of the Methodist Epsicopal church of this city officiating. Interment will be made in the Kellogg cemetery.

The sorrowing members of the family have the tender and sincere sympathy of a host of loving friends.

The Newton Daily News
Saturday Afternoon; Oct. 09, 1920; Front Page