John B. York (ca. 1820-1880)

YORK

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 11/27/2010 at 18:34:33

From Story County Watchman November 19, 1880

Sudden Death of John B. York

On last Sunday evening, Nov. 14, at abourt 6 o'clock, Coroner Boggess was notified of the sudden and mysterious death, on the 13th inst., of John B. York, at his residence in New Albany township, this county.

Mr. York has been a resident of Story Co. about twenty-four year, and in that time has amassed a good property and was recognized as a man of excellent business qualities. The evidence goes to show that as a neighbor he was very highly regarded, being kind-hearted, honest and obliging, but in point of morality he was a wreck. For a number of years he has been looked upon as one bery much adicted to strong drink, and in numerous instances has been known to be in the society of lewd women. He was about 60 years of age and being shattered by time and vice, had, a few years previous to his death, been in the habit of taking morphine, at times to quiet his nerves. On the morning of Saturday, Nov. 13th, the day of his death, he was, to all appearances, enjoying his usual health, but along in the forenoon he appreared to be drowsy and inclined to sleep, although no particular notice was taken of this as he had been on a spree a day or two previous. In the afternoon his oldest son was absent from the house for a time and on returning found his father lying on the floor in a comparatively helpless condition. He raised him up and assisted him to the bed and immediately started for a doctor, but he was beyond medical aid and expired at 11:45 of that evening. Owing to the life had led, the company he had kept, the habits be had acquired and the occult manner in which he passed away it was deemed advisable by his family and friends to have an inquisition holden over his remains so as to ascertain the true cause of his death.

The Coroner made a hasty response to his summons and upon his arrival a jury was empaneled and a inquest held. The evidence being insufficient to determine the cause, the jury ordered a post mortem examination, which was had, and the findings are hereunto attached:

STATE OF IOWA}
Story County }SS.

NEW ALBANY TP., Nov. 14, 1880.
An inquisition holden at the residence of J. B. York, in Story county, on the 14th day of Nov., 1880 before J. W. Boggess, Coroner of said county, upon the body of J. B. York, there lying by the jurors whose names are hereto subscibed. The said jurors upon their oaths to say, that J. B. York came to his death at fifteen minutes to twelve o'clock, November 13th, 1880, at his residence in New Albany township, Story Co., Iowa, but not hearing sufficient evidence to determine the cause of death, require a post mortem examination. An examination being held and hearing new evidence decided that J. B. York came to his death from fatty degeneration of the heart and failure of that organ to perform its function from that cause.

PETER DOLAN,}
JNO. H. HOSTETTER} Jurors.
H. S. VANCISE}

Attest:
J. W. BOGGESS,
Coroner for Story Co.