RALPH HAWKS FOUND DEAD AT AUDUBON (1924)

HAWKS, SAMPSON, KERBERG, FARQUHAR, LANE, RUHS, COOLIDGE

Posted By: Ken Akers (email)
Date: 10/12/2007 at 21:56:09

Audubon County Journal (IA)
Dec. 4, 1924, pg. 1
RALPH HAWKS FOUND
DEAD AT AUDUBON

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CIRCUMSTANCES INDICATE HE
MAY HAVE BEEN KILLED
BY GAS FUMES

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R. D. Hawks, former mayor of the
city and widely known throughout
this section of the state, was found
dead in the cattle barn at the fair
grounds last Tuesday shortly before
noon. The exact circumstances as to
how he came to his death will prob-
ably never be known. He had not been
seen since November 18th and it is
thought that he had been dead since
that date or the following day.

The body was discovered by F. C.
Sampson and S. C. Kerberg, who had
gone there to investigate after hear-
ing that he had been seen going
there about two weeks ago. It was
not generally known that his where-
abouts were unknown, but his family
and a few friends had caused a search
to be made for him in Des Moines,
where he was supposed to have gone
on business two weeks ago. No trace
had been found of him there.

Coroner's Jury Undecided

A coroner's jury consisting of Ar-
thur Farquhar, F. D. Lane and J. J.
Ruhs, after making an exhaustive in-
vestigation into the circumstances
surrounding his death, reported yes-
terday that he had come to his death
from an unknown cause. The evi-
dence was not conclusive that he had
committed suicide, or had died after
being overcome from carbon monoxide
fumes from the exhaust of his car.

Body Just Behind Car.

His body was found just behind his
car which he had driven into the
west door of the cattle barn. The
door had been closed after the car
had been driven into the barn and the
car stood but a few feet inside the
door. His body was found immediate-
ly behind the car and about two feet
from the exhaust pipe. The motor
had been allowed to run after the car
had been driven inside as the gas tank
was empty. The switch was turned
on and the battery dead. In his pock-
et was a daily paper dated November
18. He was last seen late in the ev-
ening of that date. He had stated to
members of his family and friends
that he was going to Des Moines on
business and would be gone for sev-
eral days. The presumption is that
he never went to Des Moines and
that his death occurred late in the
night of November 18 or shortly
therafter.

May Be Gas Poisoning

It would have been easily possible,
physicians stated, for death to have
been the result of carbon monoxide
poisoning from the gasoline fumes.
However the body did not show the
characteristic marks of carbon monox-
ide poisoning. A post mortem exam-
ination of the body to determine other
possible causes of his death may be
made. The coroner's jury did not ov-
erlook the fact that his bill fold
which he always carried with him,
was missing. However, there was no
other evidence of foul play. It is
said that his business affairs were in
good shape and there is no plausible
reason for suspecting suicide. His
presence at the fair grounds is ex-
plained by the fact that he was sec-
retary of the fair association and in
that capacity was custodian of fair
property. The key with which the
door of the barn was unlocked was
found in his pocket. The lock is one
with latches when the door is closed
and was locked when entrance was
made by Mr. Sampson and Mr. Ker-
berg.

Born in Atlantic.

Mr. Hawks was probably as well
known as any man in the county. He
was born in Atlantic and had been a
resident of this county for many years
He has been secretary of the fair as-
sociation for the past three years and
in that capacity had been instrumen-
tal in building up the fair to one of
the best in this section of the state.
Several years ago he served a term as
mayor of this city. He has been chair-
man of the republican county central
committee for several years and was
presidential elector for the ninth con-
gressional district. He would have
gone to Washington to cast his ballot
for President Coolidge in February
and had looked forward to the event
with much pleasure.

Wife and Son Survive

He is survived by his wife and one
son, Fred, who is a reporter for the
Advocate. There are also many rela-
tives from Cass county where he was
born and reared.

Funeral services will be held this
afternoon from the family home in the
north part of the city. Burial will be
made in the family lot at Exira.