Kendig, Elmer E. – d. 1917

KENDIG

Posted By: Diana Wagner
Date: 7/13/2021 at 21:35:32

Marshall Kendig Found Dead
Wife Discovered His Body at One O’clock Wednesday Morning
Smothered By Escaping Gas
Was Putting Car in Order for Early Work on Wednesday, Wife Had Retired
Elmer E. Kendig, who has been city marshal of Colfax for more than a dozen years, left his house at nine o’clock Tuesday night to do some work with his car in the home garage, so that he could get an early start in the morning to serve important papers. Mrs. Kendig retired, expecting the work would not last long and fell asleep. She awoke at one o’clock and found that Mr. Kendig had not come in. She went to the garage and found him lying on the floor dead. He was very near the car and the theory that he had been smothered with the fumes from escaping gas while the machine was in operation became the basis of action.
Dr. W. E. Anspach was called, who summoned the coroner and asked permission to remove the body to the home. After hearing statement of facts as they appeared at the moment, the coroner decided that no inquest was necessary.
Dr. Anspach afterward made three tests and found no traces of gas poisoning and it is now believed that heart failure caused death.
We do not mean to criticize any one, but it is safe to hold an inquest in such cases. There could be other cause for his death. Men in cities are sandbagged and killed without marks of violence. There is no blame anywhere except the inquest would have left no doubt.
The funeral will be held Friday afternoon at three o’clock at the Christian church. The mayor and members of city council will act as pallbearers, and the Odd Fellows will have charge.
Source: The Colfax Clipper; December 20, 1917