Jasper County Democrat, Volume 4, Number 8, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 June 1901 — FOUND DEAD IN BED. [ARTICLE]

FOUND DEAD IN BED.

Coroner T. P. Wright Dies Suddenly Sunday Morning From Taking An Overdose of Opiates. Truitt P. Wright, coroner of Jasper county and one of the best known undertakers in this section of the state, was found dead in his bed Sunday morning by his son Jennings. Mr. Wright was about Saturday all day as usual and people could hardly credit the new's of his death when first announced. It seems that he had in former years been addicted to the use of intoxicants, but had ceased to drink several years ago. Since abstaining from liquor lie is alleged to have resorted to choral and similar opiates as a substitute for other stimulants, and Saturday evening is supposed to have taken an overdose.' His condition was such after arriving home at night that a physician was summoned by the family, in the person of Dr. I. M. Washburn. The doctor staid with him until about midnight, when he left him sleeping quietly. His son Jennings, who had been in Chicagf) for several days on business, arrived home on the 11 o’clock train Saturday night and the family having been up late did not arise very early Sunday morning, At about 7 a. ra., Jennings stepped into his father’s room to see how he was resting and found him dead, the body still being warm. It is supposed that he died about five o’clock and that death was caused from the lungs and throat filling with mucus and gradually closing the air passages, probably due to the opiates which he had taken. The funeral was held Tuesday forenoon from the residence, Rev, Work of the Presbyterian church conducting the services. Truitt P. Wright was born in Rensselaer, in March 1849, and had resided here continuously since his birth. His age was 52 years, 2 months and 11 days. His father, Truitt P. Wright, after whom hewasnam<d, was a native of Union county, and moved to White county in the thirties. He remained there but a few years, removing to Rensselaer about 1839, and soon after engaged in the undertaking business, to which calling he was in after years succeeded by the subject of this obitu<uj>, and for about sixty years the Wrights have been continuously engaged in this line of business in Rensselaer. He was married to Florence Strain, who died eight years ago. To this union four*children were born, Willis Jennings, Leathe, Flossie and Mary. The former, now 23 years of age, succeeded his father in the undertaking business a few years ago, and is a most excellent and highly esteemed young man, and while bereft of a mother’s watchful care and guidance for several years, no more intelligent or highly respected family of children reside in Rensselaer than those of “Park” Wright. Miss Leathe is a successful teacher, Miss Flossie is a member of the High School graduating class this year, and Mary, the youngest, is a bright young miss of 12. Mr. Wright has served as coroner of Jasper county continuously for 12 years, having been re-elected at each succeeding election. His present term began last fall. Interment was made in Weston cemetery.