SOLVOK, Peter: Died 1944

SOLVOK, SLOVAK

Posted By: Volunteer: Sherri
Date: 11/17/2016 at 07:11:02

**Handwritten: Rec. Rep. 21 Dec. 1944

Transient Found Here Dies From Exposure

A man identified by a ration book as Peter Solvok, 74, was found unconscious under the railroad bridge two miles west of Farmington Thursday by H.F. Rockwell and son who live on a farm nearby and were watering their stock when they found the man. Deputy Sheriff George Swailes took him to Keosauqua where he was treated in the Van Buren county jail. His condition did not improve and Saturday he was removed to Jefferson county hospital where he died Saturday night. He remained in a semi-conscious condition until he died and authorities were able to get very little information from him concerning his family. His body was taken to Iowa City Tuesday where it was turned over to the Medical department of the University of Iowa.

It is believed he may have been injured by falling from the railroad tracks.

The ration book gave his address in care of L.E. Conrad of Salem. Conrad told officers Solvok was a native of Czechoslovakia and that he had worked for him about six months, leaving last spring.

Slovak had told some of his life's history while at Salem, saying that he came to this country when 17 years old. When a young man he married and lived in Kansas City, Mo. His wife and son died at the time of the birth of the son and after that he was employed as a railroad section hand at times but spent considerable of his years roaming the country. He said that he once had a sister living in San Francisco, Calif., but had not heard from her since the earthquake there. He had told that he was once employed for a short time by Capt. Duckworth of Keosauqua and also by Dr. Blackmer of Bonaparte.

Mrs. Conrad told officers that Solvok was clean around the house and very agreeable, that he did not drink and was very religious. His only known assets was $1.08 which was found in his pockets. The immediate cause of death was reported to have been pneumonia.

Source: Van Buren Co. Genealogical Society Obituary Book H, Page 37, Keosauqua Public Library, Keosauqua, IA