Delaney, Patrick 1861 - 1914

DELANEY

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 11/12/2024 at 10:41:35

Source: Decorah Republican Oct. 22, 1914, P3 C3

PATRICK DELANEY FOUND DEAD
BODY WAS LYING IN SHALLOW WATER BELOW MAIN STREET RAILROAD BRIDGE.
Evidently Had Fallen to Creek Bed, Receiving Jagged Cut on Head—Death was Due to Drowning it is Thought.
Patrick Delaney, the Freeport store keeper, was found dead in Dry Run, on the west side of the C., M. & St. Paul Ry. Bridge at Main street, last Saturday morning. As Austin Larson was passing he saw the body lying in the water and at once notified the authorities, who removed the body to Willis & Ness’ undertaking rooms.
Coroner M. D. Jewell was called and an inquest was held, lasting the better part of the day. Clarence Christen, R. Bucknell and F. E. Bailey were drawn as jurors and County Attorney Houck assisted in examining witnesses. Among those examined were Haus Johnson, Nightwatch Rima, E. J. Ambli and Frank Headington. From the testimony taken it appears that Delaney had been in the city Friday afternoon and took some goods from the Milwaukee freight depot and sent them home. He spent the rest of the day about town visiting several places, and the last time he was seen alive was by Ira Rima, the nightwatch when he came out of one of the pool rooms. When he came out he started east, apparently for home, the rest of the crowd going in different directions. He was in a normal condition when he came out and no trouble was anticipated.
When picked up by the authorities a jagged cut on the head showed where he struck upon the rocks as he fell into the creek, but a medical examination gave evidence of death by drowning, this theory being borne out by the fact that the body was lying face down, the head in about six inches of water. After hearing all the evidence the jury returned a verdict as follows:
“We do find that deceased came to his death by falling off the Main street railroad bridge between the hours of 1:30 a. m. and 7 a. m. Oct. 17 said fall caused unconsciousness, his body falling in such a position that his nose and mouth were submerged in six inches of water producing his death by drowning.”
The news of Mr. Delaney’s death came to his family as a shock. It was first heard by his young son who told his mother and other members of the household. We understand that during the past year Delaney has been subject to fainting spells, and it may be that one of these caused his fall. The family have the sympathy of many friends in their bereavement.

Transcriber’s Note: Find a Grave shows he was born Nov. 1, 1861 and died Oct. 16, 1914. He is buried in the Lutheran Decorah Cemetery.

Lutheran Decorah Cemetery
 

Winneshiek Obituaries maintained by Jeff Getchell.
WebBBS 4.33 Genealogy Modification Package by WebJourneymen