Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 36, Number 78, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 May 1904 — A Dead Body Found [ARTICLE]

A Dead Body Found

lo Milroy Township Monday Morning Not Yet Identified. On Monday morning, about six o'clock, a Mr. Nelson, of Milroy Tp., was tasking for his lost cows, and in a jack oak grove flat came across the body of a dead man He did not stop to investigate, but ran and gave the alarm to the neighbors, and as soon as it could be done, word was telephoned to Coroner Wright, who went out with R. D. Thompson. The body was that of a medium sized man, and was badly decomposed about the head and face. There was a hole in his neck, but which might have been made by insects. Also a hole like a bullet hole over the heart, and what was probably clotted blood around it. Some 32 caliber cartridges were in his pockets and a pocket book with ass bill, a silver dollar and 60 cents in change. Also a lady’s Thomas geld watch. In his button hole was an Odd Fellow’s emblem. In all of his pockets were found shelled corn, oats and straw. He had fairly good clothing. His hair was sandy, slightly gray and he had a stubby, sandy mustache. His upper jaw was unusually prominent. He seemed about 45 years old. About his limbs and body he was unusually hairy. He evidently had been dead 15 to 20 days. He was in a dense undergrowth, and could not be seen more than 20 feet. The spot was about a mile south of Queen city school house.

Coroner Wright went out that evening and began the inquest, and then hurried the body in Crockett cemetery. Edward Tebo, of Newton Tp, believes he can identify the body as a man named Earl, who used to work for him.