John J. Heaney

HEANEY

Posted By: Rebecca Foster (email)
Date: 9/5/2014 at 09:57:23

MAN KILLED BY FALL; CORONER CALLS INQUEST

John J. Heaney Found Dead at Foot of Stairway; Skull Fractured

While Coroner W.F. Kelley was preparing to conduct an inquest , authorities were engaged in investigating the death of John J. Heaney, 59, 1526 Marquette street, found dead at the foot of a stairway in an apartment house at 619 West Sixth street Tuesday afternoon. A post-mortem examination indicated death was caused by a skull fracture incurred when Heaney fell downstairs.

A passerby noted a man lying near the open front door of the apartment building and notified a tenant who summoned police.

It was reported that Heaney was a friend of a man living on the second floor of the apartment and that he had evidently gone to his friend's apartment only to find there was no one home. It was believed he was descending the stairway when he tripped and fell, striking on his head and face.

While authorities were inclined to believe death was by accidental means, an inquest was ordered as part of the investigation. It was believed Heaney's body lay at the foot of the stairs for some time before it was discovered. However, the nature of the injury was such that he would probably have died had he been given prompt medical attention, for the front part of his skull was crushed.

BORN IN MISSOURI

Born November 3, 1876 in St. Louis, Missouri, he came to Davenport with his parents, the late Mr. and Mrs. Philip Heaney, at the age of two years. On February 10, 1908, he was married to Miss Christian Johansson in Sioux city, Iowa, by the Reverend J.M. McCarthy. They continued living there for ten years, returning to Davenport fifteen years ago. Mr. Heaney was a member of the Modern Woodmen.

Surviving are his wife, and two sisters, Mrs. Mary Dunn and Miss Nellie Heaney, Davenport.
The body was taken to the Fred N. Ruhl funeral home where funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday. Burial will be in St. Marguerite's cemetery.

Source: Davenport Democrat; Davenport, Ia., 29 May 1935.