The Lamoni Chronicle
Lamoni, Iowa
March 10, 1904

PROMINENT CITIZEN FOUND DEAD.

The dead body of James ADKINS, a wealthy citizen of Davis City, Iowa, was found one half mile east of the Bonnett school house, Monday morning, shortly after eight o'clock. At the coroner's inquest, held in Davis City, Monday afternoon, the jury brought in a verdict to the effect that Mr. ADKINS came to his death by a fall from a buggy, while the team was in the act of running away, falling on his head, the schock bursting a blood vessel, and concussion of the brain following.

Mr. ADKINS had been at his brother-in-law's, Robert RAINS, during the evening previous leaving there for his home about 12:15 Monday morning. It seems that the team became frightened and ran away. When found he was but one half mile east of Mr. RAINS' place, lying beside the buggy, from which the team had broken loose. The buggy tongue had evidently come down, as the tip end was broken of in the ground, while the tongue was doubled back under the vehicle, coming out between the front and hind wheels on the right hand side.

Mr. ADKINS was lying on the left had side of the buggy, his feet partly under it, between the wheels. He had fallen on his face, from which position he never moved, death evidently being instantaneous and without a struggle. No marks were found on the body, save a slight bruise on the right cheek inflicted by the fall.

The remains were taken to Davis City, where the inquest was held. The funeral occurred yesterday from the M. E. Church in Davis City, interment in the Hamilton cemetery near Pleasanton.

Copied by Stacey McDowell Dietiker
June 19, 2003