Phil Switzer (1918)

SWITZER

Posted By: Mary Welty Hart (email)
Date: 1/11/2012 at 19:32:37

Winterset Madisonian, Winterset, Iowa
October 2, 1918, page 1

PHIL SWITZER of Lorimor, Cremated in Burning Residence

Phil Switzer of Lorimor, was burned to death last Friday night in a fire that destroyed the Switzer residence. Mrs. Switzer and two months old baby were in Ankeny, Iowa, visiting her parents.

The fire was discovered about one o'clock, and at that time the entire building was wrapped in flames, and it was not until the fire had been put out that Switzer's charred body was recovered.

Considerable mystery and much speculation surrounds the sad affair and an investigation by Co. Attorney Geo. Johnston of Creston, is now in progress. The people of Lorimor are inclined to suspect foul play, though no arrests have yet been made. It is reported that four men were seen at the Switzer residence about 11 o'clock and that a card game was in progress at that time, that an examination of the body shows that a skull wound sufficient to cause death had been inflicted and was easily located, in spite of the badly burned condition of the body.

The young man, who was about 20 years of age, was a son or Mr. and Mrs. S. S. Switzer of St. Charles and was born and reared at that place. He moved to Lorimor last February and was conducting a restaurant at the time of his death.