Unknown male drowned 1877

UNKNOWN

Posted By: S. Ferrall - IAGenWeb volunteer
Date: 8/31/2024 at 15:45:00

On Monday afternoon the body of a man came to the surface of the water on the lower side of Budde's mill. Notice was given to Coroner Hoxsie, who summoned a jury and proceeded to hold an inquest.

The body was brought upon shore and search made for information which might lead to his identity, but no clue was obtained. In the pants pocket was found a pocket book containing $31.25 in bank bills and currency. The body appeared to have been in the water in the neighborhood of six weeks; tho' apparently not very much bloated, decomposition had set in.

No marks of violence or misusage were discovered. Evidently it was a clear case of suicide, though it might be possible that he fell from a steamboat or from some dock. At all events, the manner of his drowning is a complete mystery.

Dr. Hamilton made an examination of the body and testified to the result of his judgement. The verdict rendered by the jury was to the effect that the deceased, unknown, came to his death by drowning.

He was buried on the island opposite the city, and is numbered among the unknown who have, from time to time, in the past years, found a resting place on the island.

The deceased was about five feet five inches in height, and about fifty years of age, had on a heavy boot, little the worse for wear, a pair of gray cashmere pants, a brown colored coat and a brown colored vest. He wore a heavy moustache; his whiskers had evidently been clipped close.

~North Iowa Times, Thursday, May 10, 1877; pg 3

-- -- --

The body of an unknown man was found at McGregor on Monday, in the boom of a lumber mill. He appears to have been drowned some weeks, and was about fifty years old. Some $34 in money was found in his pocket book, but no papers of any kind which would establish his identity.

The Coroner held an inquest, and the verdict of the jury was "drowned by accident." From appearances it was presumed that the man was a farmer. He was buried on the island.

~Lansing Mirror, Lansing, Allamakee co. IA, Friday, May 11, 1877; pg 4