Alonzo Meredith (1858-1941)

MEREDITH

Posted By: Debra Scott Hierlmeier (email)
Date: 11/14/2008 at 19:07:41

ALONZO MEREDITH 1858-1941
Search for Missing Avoca Resident

Avoca—Search is being conducted in this vicinity for Alonzo Meredith, 83, retired farmer and pioneer Avoca resident, whom is believed to have disappeared from his home on September 5 (1941).
His son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Banks Richardson, who live on a farm near Hancock, found the Meredith home locked Friday when they called to visit the aged man.

Notifying Deputy Sheriff Fern McKinley, the group forced an entrance to the house. Meredith, who lived alone since the death of his wife in 1935, was not found. On the kitchen table was a tin box containing Meredith’s valuables and near it was a note to his daughter reading: “Take care of tin box. When a man has no home it’s time to go.” A gun that Meredith was known to keep in the house was also missing.

Find Body of Missing Man
Left home September 5; Dead in Cornfield

Avoca—The body of Alonzo Meredith, 83, retired farmer, who disappeared from his home here September 5,(1941) was found at 3 pm Sunday in a cornfield east of town.

A revolver, which Meredith was known to have kept in his home and which had been missing was found lying beside the body. Other means of recognition were by his clothes, a cane, and hat.

William Jeager, Avoca, discovered the body about 600 feet southeast of the Rock Island railroad bridge in a cornfield owned by Thomas Jacobsen. Jeager had been out for a walk.

Meredith’s disappearance was discovered on Sept. 6 when a daughter arrived to pay him a visit. A note, dated the day before, was discovered in the house addressed to her and reading, “When a man has no home it’s time to go.”

Coroner L. H. Tyler said no inquest is planned. The body is at the Blust brothers funeral home.

From the Scrapbooks of Bessie Gross Gustafsen
Source: Council Bluffs Nonpareil