Coroners Inquisitions

Coroners Inquisitions are investigations into the deaths of individuals who died by a sudden, violent, unnatural, or suspicious manner, or who died without medical attendance. The coroner would summon a jury of twelve white men, usually prominent citizens of that locality, to assist him in determining cause of death.

Additional information may be found in Judgment records [Books 22-23].

UNKNOWN, female infant - at Hagerstown
- 1 Apr 1904 - by Ernest HOFFMAN, J.P., acting coroner
- Death - from unknown means; found in the run near HAGER's Mill.
- Dr E. A. WAREHAM
- Witnesses:  Guy BEELER.
[Book 11, 78-80] (Filed 9 Apr 1904, Judgment Liber 23, 41)


ADAMS, Mabel - at Hagerstown
- 29 Dec  1902 - by Ernest HOFFMAN, J.P., acting coroner
- Death - from premature childbirth caused by a fall a few 
  days before; died on 27 Dec 1902.
- Dr. E. A. WAREHAM, Dr. O. H. W. RAGAN
- Witnesses:  William REEDER, Louisa JOHNSON, Mary REEDER
[Book 11, 47-48] (Filed 5 Jan 1903, Judgment Liber 23, 17)


BISHOP, Lewis - at Pearre near Hancock
- 30 Jun 1905 - by Charles H. SUTTON, J.P., acting coroner
- Death - by accidentally falling into the Chesapeake & Ohio 
  Canal and drowning on 29 Jun 1905.
- Dr. E. P. STIGER
[Book 11, 112-115] (Filed 6 Jul 1905, Judgment Liber 23, 91)


BRIGHT, Gladys - at Funkstown
- 12 Jun 1904 - by Martin L. MILLER, J.P., acting coroner
- Death - by accidental drowning. (see file for William RUST)
[Book 11, 64-66] (Filed 2 Jul 1904, Judgment Liber 23, 46)


BURNS, _____ - near McCOY's Ferry
- 31 Jul 1905 - by T. BELT JOHNSON, J.P., acting coroner
- Death - from being struck by a west bound engine on the Rail 
  Road; Found dead along the P. V. Rail Road, 1/4 mile east of 
  McCOY's Ferry and west of Contractor ELMORE's Camp.
- Dr. J. P. PERRY of Clearspring - stated man was about 30 years 
  of age; body in bad shape, some bones missing; died from 
  compound fractures at base of skull, loss of blood and shock.
- Witness:  Austin GIBBONS, timekeeper, provided surname of 
  decedent who was employed as a laborer on new work along the 
  P. V. Rail Road.  BURNS was last seen alive about 7:30 pm on 
  30 Jul 1905 going to Camp and was sober. The next time he saw 
  him was about 10:30 am on 31 Jul 1905 when he was dead and 
  lying beside the railroad track.  Decedent had a mother and 
  brother in Pennsylvania.
- Witness:  Charles MOSIER, boatman, claimed he saw the decedent 
  about 10:30 am on 31 Jul 1905 lying dead beside the railroad 
  track with fragments of human bone and flesh scattered for 20 
  to 30 feet along the track, east of where the body was lying.
- Witness:  Ignatius DONOVAN, teamster, claimed he saw the 
  decedent take 5-6 drinks of whiskey before 2 pm on 30 Jul 1905, 
  but he didn't seem intoxicated and his disposition was quiet 
  and peaceful.  He thought the decedent had relatives in Dunbar, 
  PA, but he didn't know him very well.
[Book 11, 105-109] (Filed 11 Aug 1905, Judgment Liber 23, 91)


BURRELL, George - at Hagerstown
- 5 Aug 1901 - by Ernest HOFFMAN, J.P., acting coroner
- Death by murder from a gun shot wound by a revolver in his 
  left side on 4 Aug 1901 at hands of William HOWARD.  George 
  lingered for 24 hours before he died.
- Dr. W. J. MELVIN
- Witnesses:  Jesse WORKS, Thomas STEVENS, John TAYLOR, T. H. 
  BARBER, John DAY, S. A. RHODES, William JOHNSON, Waverly 
  RICHARDSON.
[Book 11, 10-13] (Filed 30 Aug 1901, Judgment Liber 22, 601)


BUTLER, Clem, colored - near Dam #6, Hancock
- 28 Nov 1904 - by Charles H. SUTTON, J.P., acting coroner
- Death - by murder from a gunshot wound in the left breast, 
  piercing his heart, bullet going downward and lodging in 
  his back, causing his death; shot by an unknown person at 
  McDONALD's Camp, near Lock #53, on the night of 27 Nov 1904.
- Dr. E. P. STIGER
- Witnesses:  Mr DAYTON, Mrs DAYTON, Miss DAYTON, C. E. BOWMAN, 
  Mr LEECH.
[Book 11, 54-58] (Filed 30 Nov 1904, Judgment Liber 23, 56)


CRADY, Michael - at Sandy Hook
- 18 Aug 1904 - by W. M. CLARK, J.P., acting coroner
- Death - by drowning; died between 12-18 Aug 1904 in the 
  Potomac River between Harpers Ferry, WV and Sandy Hook.
[Book 11, 61-63] (Filed 20 Aug 1904, Judgment Liber 23, 50)


CRAMPTON, Thomas W. - at Sharpsburg
- 13 Nov 1901 - by Van S. BRASHEARS, J.P., acting coroner
- Death by accidental gun shot wound at hands of Eugene DAVIS 
  on 12 Nov 1901.
- Dr. A. M. GARROTT
[Book 11, 3-4] (Filed 19 Nov 1901, Judgment Liber 23, 9)


DOUGHERTY, Susie, Miss - at Chestnut Grove, near Trego
- 11 Jan 1904 - by Joshua C. HINE, J.P., acting coroner
- Death - Immediate cause of death due to hemorrhage following 
  a rupture of a sack in a tubal pregnancy; unknown if caused 
  by abortion attempt or other cause.  Abortion performed by 
  George W. HOLMES during the month of December 1903; she died 
  8 Jan 1904, between 6 and 7 pm at the home of Enoch DOUGHERTY 
  at Chestnut Grove.  
- Two Doctors and five witnesses, but names not listed.
[Book 11, 84-87] (Filed 20 Jan 1904, Judgment Liber 23, 40)


FINFROCK, Mary - at Buena Vista
- 20 Aug 1901 - by A. YINGLING, J.P., acting coroner
- Death by murder - Mary drowned after the boat was capsized 
  on Lake Royer, being criminal carelessness and intent by Frank 
  RINEHART.
- Witnesses:  Jacob SITES, Charles ROGERS, Charles SHELDON, 
  George J. GUNCHOR, Chaney GEESMAN, George W. LEISINGER, Victor 
  TOMS, Harry BOWMAN, Aaron HOSTETTER, Lizzie HAMME, Mertle MILLER, 
  Louise WICKLER, John E. BERKHEIMER, Daisy STOUFFER.
[Book 11, 20-22] (Filed 23 Aug 1901, Judgment Liber 22, 599)


FLORY, Murphy E. - at Hagerstown
- 25 Jun 1901 - by Ernest HOFFMAN, J.P., acting coroner
- Death by murder from a gun shot wound by a revolver in his 
  right breast at hands of William GRANT.  Murphy died instantly.
- Dr. E. A. WAREHAM, Dr. O. H. W. RAGAN, Dr. J. McP. SCOTT.
- Witnesses:  25 witnesses (Probably same as for Jacob J. FULLER)
[Book 11, 17-19] (Filed 30 Aug 1901, Judgment Liber 22, 600)


FULLER, Jacob J. - at Hagerstown
- 25 Jun 1901 - by Ernest HOFFMAN, J.P., acting coroner
- Death by murder from a gun shot wound by a revolver in his 
  right temple at hands of William GRANT.  Jacob died an hour 
  and 15 minutes later.
- Dr. E. A. WAREHAM, Dr. O. H. W. RAGAN, Dr. J. McK. SCOTT.
- Witnesses:  Joseph GEORGE, Lewis LAGER, Lewis SEISE(?), 
  J. H. Long, and multiple others.  
  (Probably same as for Murphy E. FLORY)
[Book 11, 14-16] (Filed 30 Aug 1901, Judgment Liber 22, 601)


GIBBONS, John J. - near McCOY's Ferry on WM Rail Road
- 12 Oct 1905 - by T. Belt JOHNSON, J.P., acting coroner
- Death - from accidentally falling off the dinkey train.
  No blame attached to his employer.
- Dr. A. FESTER
[Book 11, 116-117] (Filed 24 Oct 1905, Judgment Liber 23, 92)


GRANT, J. William - at Hagerstown
- 10 Sep 1901 - by Ernest HOFFMAN, J.P., acting coroner
- Death from unknown causes.
- Dr. O. H. W. RAGAN, Dr. W. B. MORRISON
- Witnesses:  G. J. FISHER, Jacob WHEATON, H. J. HEOUEDN, Hugh 
  FRESH, Ben BROOHER, B. S. ZELLER.
[Book 11, 8-9] (Filed 23 Sep 1901, Judgment Liber 23, 8)


HALL, Jack, colored - at James SNYDER's Warehouse
- 10 Jul 1903 - by James MARRON, J.P., acting coroner
- Death - by accidental drowning on the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal.
- Dr. E. M. GARROTT
[Book 11, 42-43] (Filed 17 Jul 1903, Judgment Liber 23, 27)


HIGHBARGER, John L. - at Sharpsburg
- 3 Aug 1904 - by Van S. BRASHEARS, J.P., acting coroner
- Death - by suicide from hanging himself by the neck to a 
  limb of an apple tree on his own premises.
- Dr. S. Howell GARDNER
- Witnesses: Hezzie (?)(THOMAS, James ___ (colored boy)
[Book 11, 59-60] (Filed 26 Aug 1904, Judgment Liber 23, 51)


HIGHBERGER, Daniel Jr - at Downsville
- 23 Apr 1903 - by A. M. SCOTT, J.P., acting coroner
- Death - by suicide from pistol shot in right temple.
- Witnesses:  Charles McKEE, J. W. TAYLOR, Rudolph MOORE, 
  John W. CHAPMAN, Ira McKEE.
[Book 11, 39-41] (Filed 7 May 1903, Judgment Liber 23, 19)


HOSKIN, Frank - at Antietam
- 12 Nov 1901 - by Van S. BRASHEARS, J.P., acting coroner
- Death by accidental drowning in the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal 
  by falling off a scow, known as the Ore Bank Scow.
- Dr. S. H. GARDNER
[Book 11, 1-2] (Filed 19 Nov 1901, Judgment Liber 23, 10)


HOUPT, Josiah D. - at Smoketown
- 2 Nov 1901 - by John CLARKE, J.P., acting coroner
- Death - Murdered by gun shot wound in left side of his body 
  at hands of William A. MILEY; Josiah died about 45 minutes 
  later.
- Dr. Edgar SMITH and Dr. Sibert DAVIS
- Witnesses:  Cornelius CROSS, William H. SMITH, John A. LUM, 
  Irvin E. STOTTLEMYER, Charles E. SMITH, Ellsworth STOUFFER, 
  Rosa IRVIN, Martha CROSS, Leslie IRVIN, Jennie WEDDLE, Annie 
  RENNER, Luther RENNER.
[Book 11, 5-7] (Filed 5 Nov 1901, Judgment Liber 23, 9)


HULL, Frank P. - at Williamsport
- 21 Jan 1904 - by James E. HAWKEN, J.P., acting coroner
- Death - murdered by Levi MONTGOMERY on 20 Jan 1904; victim 
  was shot in the head and instantly died.
- Dr S. K. SNIVELY
- Witnesses:  John WOLF, George ANDERSON, George LAKE, Ed 
  ROCKWELL, Charles COPES, Jerry SMITH, Walter LEVI, Albert 
  HARSH, John STARLIPER, Max HARSH, Lewis HENDERSON, Albert 
  HENDERSON, Edward HARSH.
[Book 11, 81-83] (Filed 27 Jan 1904, Judgment Liber 23, 40)


HYLAND, John - at Pearre, near Hancock
- 31 Jan 1905 - by Charles H. SUTTON, J.P., acting coroner
- Death - from unknown causes, as death occurred 2-3 months 
  previous; found in the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal.  
- Dr. P. Elwood STIGER
[Book 11, 95-99] (Filed 10 Feb 1905, Judgment Liber 23, 56)


KIMBLE, Arthur Dewey & Charles Andrew - at Williamsport
- 29 Jun 1905 - by F. A. GEORGE, J.P., acting coroner
- Death - by accidentally falling over the bank of the 
  Chesapeake & Ohio Canal and into the water and drowning.
- Two doctors and one witness, but not named.
[Book 11, 110-111] (Filed 3 Jul 1905, Judgment Liber 23, 91)


KIMBLE, Charles Andrew & Arthur Dewey - at Williamsport
- 29 Jun 1905 - by F. A. GEORGE, J.P., acting coroner
- Death - by accidentally falling over the bank of the 
  Chesapeake & Ohio Canal and into the water and drowning.
- Two doctors and one witness, but not named.
[Book 11, 110-111] (Filed 3 Jul 1905, Judgment Liber 23, 91)


KLINE, Lorenzo - at Hagerstown
- 10 Nov 1904 - by Ernest HOFFMAN, J.P., acting coroner
- Death - by murder from gunshot wound in the head at hands 
  of Frederick EASTON.
- Dr. C. B. BOYLE, Dr. W. B. MORRISON
- Witnesses:  William F. BEST, D. H. EADER, Z. SMITH, M. P. 
  MURRAY, C. W. ALEXANDER, Lottie EASTON, J. E. BENNER.
[Book 11, 49-51] (Filed 10 Nov 1904, Judgment Liber 23, 52)


LEE, infant child of Annie LEE - at Hagerstown
- 11 Feb 1901 - by Ernest HOFFMAN, J.P., acting coroner
- Death - believed to be by the visitation of God; no marks 
  of violence; found dead on 9 Feb 1901.
- Dr. O. H. W. RAGAN
- Witnesses:  John ROBINSON, Maria LEWIS.
[Book 11, 23-25] (Filed 13 Feb 1901, Judgment Liber 22, 592)


LONG, Emory Edmund - at Williamsport
- 6 Nov 1903 - by James E. HAWKEN, J.P., acting coroner
- Death - Found dead in the scale house on the Western Maryland 
  Rail Road on 3 Nov 1903; death due to excessive use of alcohol 
  given him by person(s) unknown; also from exposure from being 
  locked in the scale house.  
- Dr. W. S. RICHARDSON and Dr. S. K. SNIVELY
- Witnesses:  Joseph WRIGHT and multiple others.
[Book 11, 88-92] (Filed 9 Jan 1904, Judgment Liber 23, 39)


LYDAY, Silas - at Smithsburg
- 30 Nov 1903 - by J. H. FERGUSON, J.P., acting coroner
- Death - from natural causes.  
- Dr. J. M. SLICK
- Witnesses:  Ruth NORFORD, Clar. NORFORD, Bessie HOFFMAN, 
  Carrie BARKDOLL.
[Book 11, 93-94] (Filed 15 Dec 1903, Judgment Liber 23, 38)


MERRIMAN, Sarah Ellen - at Sandy Hook
- 2 Sep 1903 - by William M. CLARK, J.P., acting coroner
- Death - from suicide by hanging.
[Book 11, 44-46] (Filed 8 Sep 1903, Judgment Liber 23, 31)


MILLER, John of H. - at Keedysville
- 16 Nov 1901 - by Joshua C. HINE, J.P., acting coroner
- Death - Murdered by a gun shot wound by an unknown person in 
  a robbery; body found a short distance above Keedysville along 
  the Railroad at 7:15 pm on 16 Nov 1901.
- Dr. William M. NIHISER and Dr. S. S. DAVIS (of Boonsboro)
[Book 11, 29-33] (Filed 15 Mar 1902, Judgment Liber 23, 10-11)


MURPHY, John - at Big Pool
- 17 Sep 1903 - by Ernest HOFFMAN, J.P., acting coroner
- Death - from being struck by an unknown person or falling 
  from a trestle under Big Pool, which fractured his skull, 
  on the 17th of Sep 1903.
- Dr H. K. DEN
- Witnesses:  Edward WADE, John T. GARVEY, Samuel BUTTS, Mr 
  WOODWARD.
[Book 11, 74-77] (Filed 9 Apr 1904, Judgment Liber 23, 41)


POFFENBERGER, Jacob B. - near Park Hall
- 20 Jun 1905 - by D. A. HEINE, J.P., acting coroner
- Death - Murdered by John SLIFER from gun shot wound to the 
  abdomen.  
[Book 11, 100-101] (Filed 22 Jun 1905, Judgment Liber 23, 90)


POFFENBERGER, William - at his home
- 13 May 1904 - by David A. HINE, J.P., acting coroner
- Death - from suicide by hanging himself by rope attached 
  to his hay fork in the barn at his home.
[Book 11, 71-73] (Filed 27 May 1904, Judgment Liber 23, 45)


RUST, William - at Funkstown
- 12 Jun 1904 - by Martin L. MILLER, J.P., acting coroner
- Death - by accidental drowning.  He was in a row boat on 
  the Antietam Creek when it overturned and he was thrown 
  into the water and drowned.  (see file for Gladys Bright)
- Dr C. Z. WINGERT
- Witnesses:  D. F. BOWERS, R. R. LOWMAN, Jerome POWELL, 
  Charles YOUNG, R. K. ISEMINGER, Isaac WILSON, Jacob KINDLE, 
  Clyde B. FISHER, Theodore ISEMINGER, Harry LOWMAN, Alberto 
  BOWERS, William A. DANZES, William FISHER.
[Book 11, 67-70] (Filed 2 Jul 1904, Judgment Liber 23, 46)


SAUDERS, R. Piercey - at Hagerstown
- 24 Jun 1902 - by Ernest HOFFMAN, J.P., acting coroner
- Death - from overindulgence in the use of stimulents.
- Dr. W. B. MORRISON
- Witnesses:  George SNAVELLY, Albert BOWARD, John RUCH, 
  George REED, colored.
[Book 11, 37-38] (Filed 5 Jan 1903, Judgment Liber 23, 18)


SHEETS, Annie - in Hagerstown
- 6 Nov 1905 - by Ernest HOFFMAN, J.P., acting coroner
- Death - from unknown causes on 5 Nov 1905.
- Dr. WAGANER
- Witnesses:  Adam GORTZ, Mr SHENSKI.
[Book 11, 118-119] (Filed 9 Dec 1905, Judgment Liber 23, 92)


SMITH, Raymond - at Bakersville
- 12 Apr 1905 - by David A. MILLER, J.P., acting coroner
- Death - from unknown causes; died about 10 Jan 1905.
- Dr. V. M. REICHARD
- Witnesses:  B. F. GATRELL.
[Book 11, 102-104] (Filed 16 May 1905, Judgment Liber 23, 90)


STEWARD, Eli, colored - at his house in Keedysville
- 12 Jul 1901 - by Joshua C. HINE, J.P., acting coroner
- Death - from natural causes, namely heart failure.
- Dr. W. M. NIHISER
[Book 11, 34-36] (Filed 15 Mar 1902, Judgment Liber 23, 10)


TALLHELM, Simon - at Hagerstown
- 13 Sep 1904 - by Charles E. JOHNSTON, J.P., acting coroner
- Death - by murder from being struck on the left side of the 
  head with a blunt instrument causing him to die instantly; 
  struck by an unknown person.
- Dr. O. H. W. RAGAN
- Witnesses:  Mr DAYTON, Mrs DAYTON, Miss DAYTON, C. E. BOWMAN, 
  Mr LEECH.
[Book 11, 52-53] (Filed 28 Sep 1904, Judgment Liber 23, 52)


WEIDERALL, Ella - at Williamsport
- 5 Nov 1902 - by James E. HAWKEN, J.P., acting coroner
- Death - killed by Ruben PETERS.  On 24 Oct 1902, Ella was 
  struck in the right groin by a stone thrown by Ruben PETERS 
  which produced peritonitis of which she died on 4 Nov 1902.
[Book 11, 26-28] (Filed 6 Nov 1902, Judgment Liber 23, 18)

 

The End of Book 11 of Washington Co, Maryland Inquisitions - 1901-1905