James Luther

LUTHER, BOYER

Posted By: Dottie (email)
Date: 11/21/2008 at 14:22:37

This is the story of James Luther's death and not an exact obituary.

Saturday afternoon, Ira Boyer and wife drove to town, from their home in the country. Mrs. Boyer, having alighted from the vehicle, walked down Second street to the home of her father, James Luther, who lived alone at the corner of Second and Walnut streets. Mrs. Boyer entered the rear gate and walked into the yard. Seeing the barn door open she thought perhaps he was out sawing wood. Failing to find him she returned to the house and tried the door but found it locked. She then looked in at the bedroom window. Her father's coat hung on the foot of the bed. She then tried another window and was horrified to behold her father's body lying on the floor. Calling Hersch Brewster, who lives across the street from the Luther house, word was immediately sent up town. The kitchen door was opened and those who arrived first entered and found the old man dead. In the absence of the coroner, Squire Townsend empanelled a jury, consisting of E. H. Rockwell, E. Stoddord and John McElroy. After viewing the body and taking the statement of Dr. Paisley, the jury found that the deceased came to his death from natural causes. From Dr. Paisley it was learned that he was afflicted with heart trouble and that he had been under treatment for some time. When found it was supposed that he had died sometime during the evening of Friday. The position of the body indicated that he had probably started to get the kerosene can and had fallen head first into the corner of the room. A small bruise on the forehead indicated the body had struck the south wall of the room. Kerosene had saturated the floor and the man's clothing. It is not likely that death was instantaneous for the oil can was standing by the body as if Mr. Luther had picked it up after he fell. The deceased was a veteran of the civil war having enlisted in Co.H of the 9th Calvary, serving until 1865. He came to Iowa in 1853. After his discharge he was married to Miss Elizabeth Holmes. For several years the old couple occupied the home where they both died. Mrs. Luther died a little over a year ago. Danie Luther, the only son of the deceased, arrived here Monday night from Dallas Center.

This article was found in the Farmington News January 1904 . He died 1-7-1904 according to the court death record.