Jasper County Democrat, Volume 20, Number 63, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 November 1917 — DEMOTTE MAN FOUND DEAD [ARTICLE]

DEMOTTE MAN FOUND DEAD

Frans Miessan, an Aged Recluse, Died Suddenly Friday. The body of Frans Miessan, an aged man living alone about two miles west of Demotte, was found dead in his home by a neighbor Sunday forenoon. Miessan was sitting in a chair before a stove and indications were that he had died some time Friday evening. He had removed his shoes but was otherwise fully dressed, and it Is presumed that he bad just settled down for the evening when death came. Mr. Miessan was a carpenter and was last seen alive on Friday. He was addicted to drink and there was a strong odor of alcohol about the body. He lacked- five days of being 70 years old. iHe had no relatives known to anyone, and the remains were buried in a cemetery nearby Sunday afternoon. County Coroner C. E. Johnson of this city was at Demotte Sunday and conducted an inquest, which proved conclusively that death resulted from exposure while under the influence of liquor.