Coroner's Inquests, Mifflin County, 1874-1891

CORONER'S INQUESTS, MIFFUN COUNTY 1874-1891 contributed by Aaron Goodwin HPhe records for the Mifflin County coroner’s inquests1 provide an JL overview of the inquest process as well as some details surrounding the deaths they investigated. After the deaths of unknown, sudden, vio¬ lent, or unnatural causes, the coroner, or occasionally a justice of the peace, held an inquest. When applicable and available, witnesses were called. Four to six jurors were also called. The jury considered the cause of death (e.g., drowning, gunshot wound to head, drug overdose) and sometimes the manner of death (e.g., suicide, homicide, accidental, natu¬ ral), then returned its verdict. These “returns” had no civil or criminal significance; they were fact-finding in nature and statistical in purpose. The final step in the process was the Court's approval of the jury’s return, which sometimes came months after the return. That approval prompted the county to pay those involved their fees. Coroners, JPs, and medical doctors were typically paid $4.00-$8.0(), jurors $1.00, and witnesses $0.25-$0.50. In the abstract below, the names of coroners, JPs, jurors, witnesses, and their fees have been omitted. ABSTRACTS OF APPROVALS OF RETURNS 1 3 January 1873 approval of return of inquest held Dec. 16, 187-1 on the body of Janies M. Ulrich. Verdict: came to his death by breaking through ice on the Juniata River and drowning. 13 January 1873 approval of return on inquest held 16 December 1874 on the body of James L. Buchanan. Verdict: death by drowning in the Juniata River. 12 April 1873 approval of return on inquest held 1.3 February 1873 on the body of Calvin Longsdorf. Verdict: killed on the Pennsylvania Railroad by the cars. 12 April 1873 approval of return on inquest held 20 March 1873 on the body of Hiram McCIenahcn. Verdict: death by shooting himself in the forehead with a Navy revolver in his own barn in Armagh Township. 2.3 August 1873 approval of return on inquest held 14 August 1873 on the body of an unknown man. Verdict: killed by the cars on the Pennsylvania Railroad near Newton Hamilton. The contributor is editor of the Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine. Record of the coroners' inquests, Mifflin County, 1873-1919 (Fill. 1,026,343). This includes two inquests that occurred in 187a. 1 30 Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine Vol. i8 (20 1 2) Coroner's Inquests, Mifflin County, /(S'7-/- /<S’9/ 2012 31 10 November 1875 approval of return on inquest held i October 1875 on the body of Samuel Zook. Verdict: death by a stroke of palsy or apoplexy in Union Township. 1 1 January 187b approval of return on inquest held 30 December 1875 on the body of Jacob Saltzman in Decatur Township. Verdict: death caused by a piece of meat lodging in his throat. 1 3 April 1876 approval of return on inquest held 2 March 1 876 on the body of an unknown man. Verdict: killed by the cars on Pennsylvania Railroad near Manayunk Station in Bratton Township. 28 August 1876 approval of return on inquest held 10 March 1876 on the body of Lawrence Kulp in Lewistown. Verdict: death by heart disease. 13 November 1876 approval of return on inquest held 2 1 September 1876 on the body of Andrew Dry in Wayne Township. Verdict: killed on the Pennsylvania Railroad above Manayunk Station. November 1876 approval of return on inquest held 8 November 1876 on the 13 body of William Chestnut on the south side of Jack’s Mountain in Derry Township. Verdict: accidentally shot himself while hunting. 12 April 1877 approval of return on inquest held 3 February 1877 on the body of Benjamin Howe in Derry Township. Verdict: death by hanging himself to a tree near Maitland Station in Derry Township. 31 August 1877 approval of return on inquest held 21 July 1877 on the body of (as W. Youngman at Mattawana in Bratton Township. Verdict: death caused by heart disease. 28 August 1877 approval of return on inquest held 20 April 1877 on the body of Anna Rosenborough in Oliver Township. Verdict: death by accidentally drowning in the Pennsylvania Canal. 28 August 1877 approval of return on inquest held 8 June 1877 on the body of Charles Rittenhouse in Granville Township. Verdict: death by being struck by a passing train on the Pennsylvania Railroad. 28 August 1877 approval of return on inquest held 5 July 1877 on the body of Owen Thomas at the Poor House in Derry Township. Verdict: death by drowning in Kishacoquillas Creek while laboring under a dizzy spell, to which lie was subject. 1.3 November 1877 approval of return on inquest held 1.3 November 1877 on the body of an unknown colored man. Verdict: killed by the cars on the Pennsyl¬ vania Railroad three miles west of McVcytown 1 3 November 1 877. 12 November 1877 approval of return on inquest held 2 i September 1877 on the body of George W. Woods. Verdict: that Woods came to his death 2 i Sep¬ tember 1877 after i o'clock P.M., having fallen into an open trench or ditch in the alley in the rear of residence of E. D. Auner in Lewistown, being suffo¬ cated. 12 November 1877 approval of return on inquest held 6 November 1877 on the body of Joseph Snyder. Verdict: killed by tile cars of the Pennsylvania Rail¬ road near Granville Township. 26 August 1878 approval of return on inquest held 8 May 1878 on the body of Timothy Sweeney in Derry Township. Verdict: accidentally killed by the revolving shaft in the basement of William Mann Jr. and Co.’s axe grinding shop. 32 Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine Vol. 48 26 August 1878 approval of return on inquest held 26 June 1878 on the body of Thomas L. Mull in Derry Township. Verdict: death by sunstroke while work¬ ing in a hay field for George W. Hess in Derry Township. 1 1 November 1878 approval of return on inquest held 24 September 1878 on the body of Wilson Coffee in Wayne Township. Verdict: accidentally drowned in the Pennsylvania Canal at Four Locks near Newton Hamilton 24 September 1878. 14 April 1879 approval of return on inquest held 8 February 1879 on the body of Henry 1 lineman in l.ewistown. Verdict: accidentally killed on Pennsylvania Railroad near Smokers Crossing in Granville Township above junction 8 February 1879 while attempting to couple cars. 14 April 1879 approval of return on inquest held 25 January 1879 on the body of an unknown man aged about 65 years in Bratton Township. Verdict: killed on Pennsylvania Railroad by the cars, near Manayunk Station in Bratton Township 25 January 1879. 1 i April 1 879 approval of return on inquest held 23 February 1 879 on the body of James II. Wilson. Verdict: killed by the cars accidentally on the Pennsylvania Railroad 2' J miles east of Manayunk Station in Bratton Township. 23 August 1880 approval of return on inquest held 18 August 1880 on the body of Malinda F.ckard in Brown Township. Verdict: death by criminal abortion, implication Samuel McCollum, causing death of Malinda Fckard and her child 18 August 1880. 2.5 August 1880 approval of return on inquest held 10 May 1880 on the body of David McAllister in Brown Township. Verdict: death 10 May 1880 caused by injuries received at the hands of Francis Pecht 3 May 1880 in the bar room of Morrisons Hotel at Reedsville. 8 November 1 880 approval of return on inquest held 3 1 August 1880 on the body of F.dward II. Taylor in l.ewistown. Verdict: death by an overdose of lauda¬ num administered by his own hands in the county jail 3 1 August 1880. 8 November 1880 approval of return on inquest held 27 October 1880 on the body of William Gay in Oliver Township. Verdict: found dead in bed. 22 August 1881 approval of return on inquest held 13 July 1881 on the body of an infant male bastard child born of the body of Susan Michael in Armagh Township. Verdict: cause of death unknown. 22 August 1881 approval of return on inquest held 13 August 1881 on the body of Charles Peck in l.ewistown. Verdict: accidentally drowned in the Pennsylva¬ nia Canal. 22 August 1881 approval of return on inquest held 16 June 1881 on the body of Frederick Bickcl in Derry Township. Verdict: death by falling through the railroad bridge which crosses the Kishacoquillas Creek near l.ewistown while in a state of intoxication and drowning. 22 August 1881 approval of return on inquest held 29 July 1881 on the body of George Hardy at Mattawana, Bratton Township. Verdict: death by a dose of strychnine from his own hand at the Mattawana Hotel in Room No. 4. 9 January 1882 approval of return on inquest held 30 November 1881 on the body of David Fosselman at McVeytown Station. Verdict: killed by the cars on the Pennsylvania Railroad near Manayunk bridge west of McVeytown. Coroner’s Inquests, Mifflin Comity, 1874- 18') ! 2012 33 9 January 1882 approval of return on inquest held 1 December 1881 on the body of Edward S. McClellan at Lcwistown, Juniata 1?? p. 13]. Verdict: death by being run over on the Pennsylvania Railroad near Snookers/Smokers Cross¬ ing while in the discharge of his duties as brakeman. 9 January 1882 approval of return on inquest held 8 December 1881 on the body of Leo Lilly at MeVeytown Depot, Pennsylvania Railroad, in Bratton Town¬ ship. Verdict: death by being crushed between the ears at the crossing at Mattawanna Station while attempting to get on a passenger train. 22 February 1882 approval of return on inquest held 13 February 1882 on the body of Gilbert Dick at Lcwistown. Verdict: suffocated and died by reason of inhaling heated air and smoke produced by a fire he had kindled on the floor of his cell in the Mifflin County jail where he had been incarcerated for drunkenness. The fire was kindled by said Dick while intoxicated and with¬ out the knowledge of the jailor or occupants of the jail. 10 April 1 882 approval of return on inquest held 22 February 1882 on the body of an unknown man at Longfellow Station, Pennsylvania Railroad, in Bratton Township. Verdict: death by being killed by the cars on the Pennsylvania Railroad the night of 2 1 February 1882, near Longfellow Station. 10 April 1882 approval of return on inquest held 26 March 1882 on the body of W. S. Wilcman in Lcwistown. Verdict: death by jumping from the passenger train whilst in motion, falling under the wheels and being run over. 1 5 June 1 882 approval of return on inquest held 26 May 1 882 on the body of Mary Ann Marks in Granville Township. Verdict: death by hanging herself with a rope to the stairway of her dwelling. I S June 1882 approval of return on inquest held 30 May 1882 on the body of Mrs. Margaret Keller in Lcwistown. Verdict: that Mrs. Margaret Keller came to her death .30 May 1882 by apoplexy. 13 November 1882 approval of return on inquest held 1 I November 1882 on the body of Win. M. Wisncr in Lcwistown. Verdict: that Win. M. Wisner came to bis death I I November 1882 from a rifle ball fired by Samuel Callahan in Granville Township, Mifflin County, on 30 October 1882 in a careless man¬ ner. 8 January 1883 approval of return on inquest held 28 December 1882 on the body of James Buchan |s/c| and Margaret Buchan his wife in Granville Township. Verdict: That James Buchan came to his death from natural causes, having been an invalid for years, and that Margaret Buchan came to her death from natural causes, although the jury is unable to assign the direct cause of death. From the condition of the bodies as found, it is the opinion of the jury that James Buchan died first and that Mrs. Buchan, being subject to heart disease, the shock caused by her husband’s death also caused her death. 9 April 1883 approval of return on inquest held 2 i March 1883 on the body of George Smith at the residence of Mrs. Susan Craig in Wayne Township. Ver¬ dict: that George Smith came to his death 23 March 1883 from rheumatism of the heart. 27 August 1883 approval of return on inquest held 1 May 1883 on the body of Howard Copcnhaver at Lucy Furnace in Mifflin County. Verdict: that How¬ ard Copcnhaver was killed in the ore mines of the Lucy Furnace 1 May 1883 accidentally. 34 Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine Vol. 48 27 August 1883 approval of return on inquest held 8 May 1883 on the body of Geo. I). M. Casner in Granville Township. Verdict: that Geo. I). M. Casner came to his death by being accidentally caught between the angle iron of the cage and a cross beam of the frame house at the Lewistown Railroad shops. 27 August 188.3 approval of return on inquest held 7 June 188.3 on the body of Kllcn McLaughlin in Oliver Township. Verdict: death by hanging herself the night of 6 June or morning of 7 June in Oliver Township at the house of Wm. Gearhart. 27 August 188.3 approval of return on inquest held 16 July 188.3 on the body of G. Reed Alexander in Armagh Township. Verdict: that ('.. Reed Alexander came to his death by a blow on the right side of his head with a blunt instrument or rail in the hands of Samuel M. Longwell 16 July 188.3 in Armagh Town¬ ship. 12 November 188.3 approval of return on inquest held I 1 October 1883 on the body of a tramp named Kern at the junction in Granville Township. Verdict: death by being struck by Pacific T.x press one mile west of Longfellow in Bratton 'Township I 1 October 188.3. November 12 188.3 approval of return on inquest held 8 November 1883 on the body William Finley (tramp) at the junction in Granville Township. Verdict: death by being struck by an eastbound freight train 1 1 i miles east of Manayunk Station in Bratton Township 8 November 188.3 on Pennsylvania Railroad. I t January 1884 approval of return on inquest held 23 November 188.3 on the body of Valentine Spigelmeycr of 'Tyrone, Blair County, taken in the Seven Mountains near the turnpike road leading from Siglcrville to Millhcim in Armagh Township, Mifflin County. Verdict: death by accidentally shooting himself in the bowels 2.3 November 188.3 while hunting in the Seven Moun¬ tains. 21 April 1884 approval of return on inquest held 8 April 1884 on the body of Monroe Carl of Lewistown, Mifflin County. Verdict: accidentally drowning by falling off one of the 1 Stingers?| over the Mill Race of the Lewistown Mills. 23 August 1884 approval of return on inquest held i May 188 i on the body of Dietrich Christopher Bloom in Granville Township. Verdict: death by falling from a freight train while stealing a ride therein or by being struck by a train while working on the railroad track near Longfellow Station, Mifflin County, and that said accident occurred during the early morning of 4 May 1884, and that his death was witnessed by no one. 23 August 1884 approval of return on inquest held 3 July 188 t on the body of a female infant in Derry Township. Verdict: that how the aforesaid female infant came to its death the jury is unable to determine, and that the said infant child at time of its death was about six months old from time of con¬ ception. Its parents are not known to the jury; that it was found in a water closet on the premises occupied by Abraham Cook and John Sommers in Derry Township. 23 August 1884 approval of return on inquest held 16 August 1884 on the body of a stranger, name unknown, in Granville Township, Mifflin County. Verdict: that the aforesaid stranger came to his death from natural causes, that he was found dead in a field a short distance above the railroad depot at Lewistown Junction, and after careful inquiry and examination nothing was discovered 2012 Coroner 's Inquests, Mifflin County, 1874-1891 35 to indicate that his death was violent, or who he was, hut from indications it appeared that lie came to his death by disease or natural causes. 25 August 1884 approval of return on inquest held 21 and 22 August 1884 on the body of William Smearman in Wayne Township. Verdict: that the body of the aforesaid Wm. Smearman was found in the edge of the Pines and upon the grounds of.l. V. M., and that we found a wound upon the body made by a large knife with a blade 6 inches long, supposed to be a butcher knife, that tlic wound was made by the hand of some unknown person or persons. 12 January 1885 approval of return on inquest held | no date given] on the body of A. J. Woods in Granville Township, Mifflin County. Verdict: that the aforesaid A. J. Woods came to his death from causes to them unknown, no marks of personal violence having been found upon him, hut from what can be learned it is believed that lie dropped dead from heart disease, that he was found dead, no one being present when lie died. 24 April 1885 approval of return on inquest held 21 and 22 April 1885 on the body of an unknown boy at Lewistown, Mifflin County. Verdict: that the aforesaid unknown boy came to his death as the evidence shows, supposed to have fallen from a freight train of the Pennsylvania railroad at or near Mattawanna, same train passing over him causing death. 9 November 1885 approval of return on inquest held 24 October 1885 at the Poor House on the body of Michael Lafferty. Verdict: that the aforesaid Michael l.afferty came to his death by being struck by an engine on the Pennsylvania Railroad about .50 yards west of Vineyard Telcg|raph| l ower, supposed to he the Philadelphia Express East at about 10 or II o’clock last night 1 23 October 1885|. 16 January 1886 approval of return on inquest held 2 December 1885 on the body of Harry li. Knapp in Granville Township, Mifflin County. Verdict: that the aforesaid Harry IS. Knapp came to his death in the discharge of his duty as an employee of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company in the yard of Lewistown Div[ision] at Lewistown Junction. 23 August 1886 approval of return on inquest held i August 1886 in Lewistown, Mifflin County, upon the body of Alexander Ellis. Verdict: the aforesaid Alexander Ellis came to his death by committing suicide by hanging himself, that he came to his death by his own hand, and that there was no other per¬ sonal violence. 23 August 1886 approval of return on inquest held 1, 2, and 9 August 1886 in Lewistown upon the body of a male infant child. Verdict: the aforesaid male infant child came to his death in the manner following, to wit: that in the opinion of the inquest the body is the child of Annie L. Laughlin, an unmar¬ ried woman of whom she was secretly delivered, and whether horn dead or alive is unknown to the jury, and that the said Annie L. Laughlin, to conceal the death of said child, deposited the same in the privy of Alfred Hall in Lewistown. 8 November 1886 approval of return on inquest held 25 September 1886 in Lewistown upon the body of James Banks. Verdict: that he was engaged in painting the exterior of (lie Presbyterian Church in Lewistown on the morn¬ ing of 25 September 1886, and that the [line?] hook which held the one end of the swinging scaffold upon which he was working was defective and broke, precipitating him to the ground a distance of about 25 feet, and that 36 Pennsylvania Cienealogical Magazine Vol. 48 the fall killed him, and that no blame attaches to any person as the defect in the hook apparently was not perceptible. I undated) approval of return on inquest held 30 December 1880 and 3 January 1.887 in Lewistown, Derry Township, upon the body of John Eckley. Verdict: that the aforesaid John licklcy came to his death 29 December 1.380 from peritonitis and rupture of the bladder caused by abuse and violence upon his person by Della Corbil, Jennie Quay, and Ella Kaunsman on Christmas day 1886. 18 April 1887 approval of return on inquest held I April 1887 in Derry Township upon the body of Thomas Hunter. Verdict: the aforesaid Thomas Hunter came to his death by an accidental discharge of a blast of dynamite at the quarries of the l.ogan Iron and S| teel] Works in Derry Township in which he was employed as foreman, about S o’clock I’M 1 April 1887. 22 August 1887 approval of return on inquest held 8 June 1887 in l ewistown on the body of Clarence Jones. Verdict: death by falling into the lock of the Pennsylvania Canal at Lewistown in the afternoon of 8 June 1887; was an accident; no blame attached to any one. 22 August 1887 approval of return on inquest held 1 3 July 1887 on the body of Russell Hinds drowned at Beaver Dam, Wayne Township, Mifflin County. Verdict: the said Russell Hinds from some cause strangled and drowned. The jury failed to find upon examination of the body any cut, mark, bruise, or indenture of the body. 7 September 1887 approval of return on inquest held 6 September 1887 in Wayne Township on the body of John R. Kauffman. Verdict: death from natural causes and not from acts of violence or injury; that his body was found in the Manayunk bridge east of Newton Hamilton. 14 November 1887 approval of return on inquest held 12 November 1887 in the County Jail on the body of Ludwig Boesze. Verdict: death by committing sui¬ cide eis by hanging himself by the neck in cell no. 8 the morning of 12 November 1887; that from the evidence taken before us, we are of the opin¬ ion the deceased was Insane. 29 August 1 888 approval of return on inquest held 28 April 1 .388 at Newton I lamilton upon the body of Fred Masse. Verdict: came to his death by accidental drowning in going over the Newton Hamilton Dam in a row boat on Satur¬ day 31 March 1888. 29 August 1888 approval of return on inquest held 9 August 18.38 in Lewistown upon the body of Samuel Ulrich. Verdict: came to his death by accidentally falling front a canal boat into the Pennsylvania Canal in the borough of Lewistown and drowning. 29 August 1888 approval of return on inquest held 16 August 1888 in Lewistown upon the body of John (iephart. Verdict: cause of his death was a stone fall¬ ing on him which was being unloaded from a |railroad| car and which he was incautious to look out for. 14 November 1888 approval of return on inquest held 10 September 1888 in McVeytown upon the body of George Martin Jr. Verdict: came to his death by some mysterious accident; did get into the Pennsylvania Canal and was there suffocated. 2012 Coroner's Inquests, Mifflin County, 1874-189 1 37 19 January 1889 approval of return on inquest held | undated | in Granville Town¬ ship upon the body of an unknown man. Verdict: came to his death on the afternoon of 27 November 1888 by being accidentally struck by an enginedrawing a train of freight ears upon the Penn Railroad near Longfellow Sta¬ tion, said decedent being struck while he was walking upon the track of said Railroad. 15 April 1889 approval of return on inquest held 26 January 1889 at Newton Hamilton upon the body of William S. Uttley. Verdict: came to his death by having been run over by train known as 2nd NY and that his death was purely accidental. 15 April 1889 approval of return on inquest held 19 February 1889 in I.ewistown on the body of Frank Soncman. Verdict: came to his death the night of 18 February or morning of 19 February 1889 by falling from the car on which he was employed as brake-man on the Penn Railroad near the depot in Granville Township and killed by the cars; that his residence is in Washing¬ ton, D.C. 26 August 1889 approval of return on inquest held 5 May 1889 in brown Town¬ ship upon the body of Alfred Shoop. Verdict: came to his death 5 May 1889 about I I A.M. near station at Rccdsvillc; a building collapsed and, falling on him, instantly killed him by crushing his skull. 26 August 1889 approval of return on inc|uest held 26 May 1889 in Granville Township upon the body of Charles C. Owens. Verdict: came to his death about 10:30 P.M. on the night of 25 May 1889 at or near Ryde Station on Pennsylvania Railroad in Bratton Township by trying to jump a freight train, and in so doing was struck by Philadelphia Express, a passenger train going east, and almost instantly killed. 26 August 1889 approval of return on inquest held 12 and 13 June 1889 in Lewistown upon the body of John busche. Verdict: came to his death by acci¬ dentally falling into Kishacoquillas Creek at his mother’s residence. Main Street, I.ewistown Borough; floated into the Juniata River, body found below Jack’s Creek; in said river drowned. 26 August 1889 approval of return on inquest held 28 July 1889 in Granville Township upon the body of an unknown man. Verdict: came to his death on the evening of 27 July 1889 in Granville Township on the Railroad about 2' 2 miles east of I.ewistown Junction; his death was caused by being struck by an engine while trespassing on said (rail) road. 26 August 1889 approval of return on inquest held 18 August 1889 in I.ewistown upon the body of Andrew Grabbe. Verdict: came to bis death by being shot in the right side of his head with a bullet from a 32 caliber revolver in his own house in I.ewistown, and front evidence the shooting was done by him¬ self while temporarily Insane. 1 1 November 1889 approval of return on inquest held 6 November 1889 in Gran¬ ville Township upon the body of an unknown man. Verdict: came to his death by being struck by an engine in the Pennsylvania Railroad near Ryde, instantly killing him; said unknown was trespassing on the lands of the Pennsylvania Railroad. 16 January 1890 approval of return on inquest held 26 December 1889 in Gran¬ ville Township on the body of Robert Shaw. Verdict: came to his death by being killed and run over by the yard shifter of the I.ewistown Division P. R. 38 Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine Vol. 48 R. at the public crossing in Granville Township near the Lewistown Junction where the Mifflin and Center County Railroad crosses the public road. 24 April 1890 approval of return on inquest held in Lewistown 20 April 1890 upon the body of an unknown man. Verdict: came to his death by drowning in the Juniata River. 2‘S August 1890 approval of return on inquest held 17 May 1890 in Wayne Town¬ ship upon the body of James C. Davis. Verdict: died from the effects of a wound made by a bullet fired at him from a revolver in the hands of William Say the morning of 6 May 1890. 23 August 1890 approval of return on inquest held 3 July 1890 in Lewistown upon the body of Charles Stevenson. Verdict: came to his death by being run over by an engine and car in the west end of the Pennsylvania Railroad Bridge crossingjuniata River. Railroad company exonerated from all blame. 23 August 1890 approval of return on inquest held 22 June 1890 in Derry Town¬ ship upon the body of an unknown man. Verdict: |not recorded], 28 August 1890 approval of return on inquest held 18-20 August 1890 upon the body of Antonia Valente, an Italian. Verdict: came to his death by foul means; that John Co[nn?|ealla, an Italian, and W’m Hazlett, colored, were the parties who committed the felony and murder and afterward did flee away; that the Jury is unable to come to the conclusion as to the manner of his [.s7c| death, but believe the aforesaid killed him; that the body of the deceased was found floating in the Juniata River between the first and second piers of the R. R. bridge at Lewistown on Borough side. 10 November 1890 approval of return on inquest held 6 September 1890 in Granville Township upon the body of an unknown man. Verdict: came to his death by being by the 2nd section of Philadelphia Express East on the night of 3 September 1890. Inquest held at request of R. R. Company. 10 November 1890 approval of return on inquest held 13 October 1890 in Wayne Township upon the body of Anthony Brown, colored. Verdict: came to his death by accidental drowning in the Juniata River at Manayunk Railroad Bridge on the morning of 13 October 1890. 12 January 1891 approval of return on inquest held 21 December 1890 in Derry Township upon the body of George H. Seachrist. Verdict: came to his death by deliberately drowning himself in the mill tank of the Logan Iron and Steel Company in Derry Township the morning of 2 1 December 1890. 20 April 1891 approval of return on inquest held 26 March 1891 in Granville Township upon the body of an unknown man. Verdict: came to his death from natural causes; that he was found lying in a field near the farm house of the John Snyder farm, that there were no marks of violence upon him, and the jury is of the opinion that he came to his death by disease; there were no marks of identification or papers to tell who he was. 24 August 1891 approval of return on inquest held 9 August 1891 in Oliver Town¬ ship upon the body of Mary Wilson. Verdict: was shot and died from the effects of said shot, the pistol being in the hands of Margaret Wilson, but that the same was accidental and not intentional. 10 September 1891 approval of return on inquest held 11 August 1891 at Newton Hamilton upon the body of Michael Grout. Verdict: |not recorded].