CROSS, John ca1863-1898

CROSS

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 8/20/2011 at 20:28:51

LOOKED LIKE SUICIDE

Last Friday morning, Dr. Egan was called down into the south end of town to attend a man named John Cross. The man was found to be in convulsions and died about two minutes after the doctor arrived and before anything could be done to relieve him.

Mr. Cross was in usual health up to within a few minutes before the doctor was called, and from all appearances the death seemed to come from unnatural causes and the doctor refused a burial permit. This aroused suspicions and on investigation it was found that on Thursday he had obtained, under the assumed name of Jack Foster, at one of our drug stores, 10 grains of strychnine, claiming that he wanted to kill rats with it.

It was also found that he had at time spoken of taking his own life. A burial permit was obtained and the funeral took place from the home Sunday afternoon. Rev. Wilcox officiating.

The deceased was about 35 years of age. He came to Osage a year ago and was married about two months ago. There is no evidence of any trouble that should have caused such action if the suspicions are correct more than a general discontent with life.

[ Osage Journal - Oct. 26, 1898 ]

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NOTES:
The IaGenWeb listing for Osage City Cemetery gives his name as "Jay" Cross:

CROSS, JAY (Loc.) 0764 6 (Death/burial) 21 OCT 1898