Jasper County Democrat, Volume 3, Number 18, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 August 1900 — Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 [ADVERTISEMENT]

Coroner Wright was summoned to Fair Oaks Wednesday morning to hold an inquest on the remains of a man who was found dead lying beside the track about 300 yards south of the depot that morning. The man was fairly well dressed and had the appearance of a respectable working man. A revolver and about $3.50 in money was found in his pockets. From a letter also found on his person it was learned that his name was Hawes A. Danforth, and that he had relatives in Massachusetts. His sister, Mrs. Minnie L. Procter, of Lynn. .Mass., w r as communicated with and ordered the remains sent there c. o. d., but as the railroad and express officials require pay in advance in such cases, this could not be done, and they were buried at Fair Oaks. Just how the man came to be killed is not known, but it is presumed he was standing on the steps of one of the southbound passenger trains, either the night or early morning trains, and leaned out too far and was struck by the switch guard, as this was broken over where he was found. He was not missed from the train, it appears, and he had no friends on board so far as learned. A conductor’s check in his hat bore the Rensselaer station’s number it is said, and it was thought this was his destination. However, he had no friends here so far as learned.

Another surety of the peace case, this time from Hanging Grove tp., was tried before .Esq. Burnham and a jury of twelve men Wednesday. The jury was out until about 2 o’clock Thursday morning but failed to agree, so they were allowed to sleep awhile and Thursday morning arrived at a righteous verdict, from our understanding of the case, acquitting the defendant. The case was brought by John Pierson, a Swede, against Frank Jones, a young man who had formerly worked for Pierson, and who was “going” with Pierson's daughter against Pierson's wishes but much to the gratification of the girl. Tuesday night they went buggy riding and the girl's father and a neighbor by the name of Eyestone went after them, pulling revolvers on Jones and taking the girl out of his buggy and back to her home. They then got into the buggy, brought Jones to town and had him locked up in jail, a proceeding that seems to have been a most high-handed outrage. The next morning he was “arrested” on a state’s warrant on surety of the peace. After hearing all the evidence the jury acquitted hiuj as above stated. It looks very much as though Jones would have a few good actions for damages in this matter.