Steve Dickerson

DICKERSON

Posted By: Debbie Truitt (email)
Date: 3/20/2015 at 10:29:26

Obituary From “Ottumwa Courier” January 3, 1895:

A SUDDEN DEATH

A Stone Mason Dies, Probably from Apoplexy, in Tom Mack’s Saloon.

From Saturday’s Daily.
Steve Dickerson, a stone mason of this city and well known character, met with a sudden and peculiar death about 4:30 in Tim Mack’s saloon, on South Green street. The coroner and sheriff were notified and his remains were taken to Crips, Pashong & Brown’s undertaking establishment, where an inquest was held.

The jury, consisting of H.B. Jones, L.E. Gray and C.E. Norton sent glimmering rumors of foul play and talk of suicide by finding a verdict to the effect that Dickerson came to his death by unknown means but perhaps from apoplexy. The testimony showed that he came to Mack’s saloon, took off his coat, and engaged in small talk about being “the best man there,” took two drinks of whiskey, and then sat down on the keg. It was noticed that he breathed hard and soon fell to the floor. The porter placed his coat under his head, thinking him dead drunk. As soon as it was learned that something was wrong, Dr. Ferguson was called and pronounced him dead. He leaves a wife and four children who live on West Sherman street.

The funeral will be held at 8 o’clock tomorrow morning from 914 West Sherman street. The interment will take place in the Shaul cemetery.