[ Return to Index ] [ Read Prev Msg ] [ Read Next Msg ]

James “Jiggs” McCauley

MCCAULEY, KENSINGER, FULLMER

Posted By: Rebecca Foster (email)
Date: 9/18/2014 at 09:52:38

MISSING MAN FOUND IN RIVER NEAR LECLAIRE

Body of J. McCauley Recovered by Search; Discount Foul Play.

The body of James “Jiggs” McCauley, 72, long-time resident of LeClaire and veteran riverman, was found in 10 feet of water in the Mississippi river near the north end of town late Monday afternoon.

McCauley was the victim of an accidental drowning, according to Coroner W. A. Hoepner, who said that a gash on the scalp about two inches above the hair line apparently was due to a fall on a rock near the water’s edge.

The body was found by Louis McWilliams and Arp Gilbert, using clammer’s hooks; on their third drag about 20 feet from the shore line.

The coroner and Deputy Sheriff Joe Atkinson discounted rumors of foul play as the cause said that they believed that McCauley slipped on rocks as he was walking along the bank and fell, striking his head on a rock beneath the surface. He was reported to have been a good swimmer.

McCauley was last seen about 1:30 p.m. Sunday by Roy Gilbert who, with Orrie Hammond, was McCauley’s partners in sand barge work. Both Gilbert and Hammond are also residents of LeClaire.

Gilbert told authorities that he saw McCauley sitting near the railroad tracts which parallel the river and that the latter said he wanted to get across the river to Pt. Byron, Ill. Gilbert, who was on his way home at the time, told McCauley he would return with his son in about 15 minutes and take him across.

When they returned, Gilbert said, McCauley was nowhere in sight. They thought he might have wandered away but when he did not appear for work Monday morning. Mayor Ferd Meyer of LeClaire and later Sheriff Walter H. Beuse were notified. Dragging of the river bottom in the vicinity of where McCauley was last seen was then started and the body was recovered about 3:40 p.m.

BORN IN PT. BYRON.

McCauley, father of nine children, the youngest of whom is eight, was born in Port Byron, Ill., September 25, 1869, and had made his home in LeClaire for the last 31 years. On March 30, 1911, he was married in Davenport to Mary Myrtle Roberts.

Surviving are the window; four daughters, Mrs. George Kensinger, New Boston, Illinois; Mrs. Leslie Fullmer, LeClaire; Betty, Mitchelville, and Mary, at home, and five sons, Kenneth, Moline; Wilford, Ft. Leonard Wood, Mo.; Russell and Daniel, both at home, and John, residing in New Jersey.

He also leaves two sister, Mrs. Mabel Nelson, Albany, Ill., and Mrs. Grace Roberts, LeClaire, and five brothers, William and Hope W., both of Rock Island; Sam, Davenport; J. A., Oconto Falls, Wis., and Cy, McGregor, Ia. A brother, Wesley died five months ago.

The body was removed to the McGinnis funeral home and at 11 a.m. Thursday will be taken to the Full Gospel tabernacle in LeClaire for services at 2 p.m. Burial will be in Glendale Cemetery, LeClaire.

Source: Davenport Democrat and Leader, 19 May 1942, p.15.

Recover LeClaire Man’s Body From Mississippi River

The body of James “Jiggs” McCauley, 72, well-known LeClaire fisherman and former town marshal, today had been recovered from the Mississippi river.

McCauley’s body was found by Louis McWilliams and Art Gilbert of LeClaire with the use of a dragline about 4 p.m. Monday. McCauley had been missing since about 1:30 p.m. Sunday. His body was found less than 20 feet from the shore at LeClaire and deputy sheriffs found marks on the bank, showing where the aged man had slipped on the gravel and apparently had fallen into the river.

Officials said there was a cut on his head, indicating that McCauley might have been knocked unconscious by his fall.

Acting coroner W. A. Hoepner said there will be no inquest as death was due to accidental causes.

Born in Port Byron

Mr. McCauley was born in Port Byron, Ill., Sept. 25, 1869 and married Mary Myrtle Roberts in Davenport, March 30, 1911. The couple had made their home in LeClaire for 31 years.

Surviving are his wife; four daughters, Mrs. George Kensinger of New Boston, Mrs. Leslie Fullmer of LeClaire, Miss Betty McCauley of Mitchellville, Ia., and Miss Mary McCauley, at home; five sons, Kenneth of Moline, Wilford of the U. S. Army stationed at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., Russell and Daniel, both at home and John of New Jersey; two sisters, Mrs. Mabel Nelson of Albany, Ill., and Mrs. Grace Roberts of LeClaire; and five brothers, William and Hope, both of Rock Island, Sam of Davenport, J. A.. of Oconto Falls, Wis., and Cy of McGregor, Ia. A brother, Wesley, died about five months ago.

The body was taken to the McGinnis Funeral Home where it will remain until 11 a.m. Thursday when it will be taken to the Full Gospel Tabernacle in LeClaire where funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday. Burial will be in Glendale Cemetery, LeClaire.

Source: The Daily Times, Davenport, Ia., 19 May 1942, p. 2.

THE MCCAULEY FUNERAL

Funeral services for James “Jiggs” McCauley, of LeClaire, veteran riverman whose body was found Monday in the Mississippi river north of LeClaire, were held at 2 p.m. Thursday in the Full Gospel Tabernacle, LeClaire, with Miss Edna Watson officiating.

Miss Watson and Miss Alta Suiter sang. Burial was in Glendale Cemetery, LeClaire. The McGinnis Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Bearers were Robert Gilbert, Louis McWilliams, Robert Moore, Thomas Bagley, Claus Grapp and Ed Dreese.

Source: Davenport Democrat and Leader, 21 May 1942, p.15.

McCauley Funeral

Funeral services for James A. McCauley were held at 2 p.m. today at the Full Gospel Tabernacle, LeClaire, with Miss Edna Watson officiating. Miss Watson and Miss Alice Suiter sang. The pallbearers were Robert Gilbert, Louis McWilliams, Robert Moore, Thomas Bagley, Claus Grapp and Ed Dreese. Burial was in Glendale Cemetery. The body was taken to the Tabernacle at 11 o'clock today by the McGinnis Funeral Home.

Source: The Daily Times, Davenport, Ia., 21 May 1942, p.8.


 

Scott Obituaries maintained by Lynn McCleary.
WebBBS 4.33 Genealogy Modification Package by WebJourneymen

[ Return to Index ] [ Read Prev Msg ] [ Read Next Msg ]