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 [Book 23].

BAXTER, Ralph - at Hagerstown
- 4 Mar 1907 - by Ernest HOFFMAN, J.P., acting coroner
- Death - Ralph was engineer on Extra #87, a westbound train, which 
  collided head-on with an eastbound train on the tracks of the 
  Cumberland Valley Railroad; he came to his death near Maugansville 
  on the evening of 3 March 1907.  Collusion caused by negligence of 
  George E. VAN KIRK, the telegraph operator at Mason-Dixon Station 
  on the C. V. Railroad.  Jury found railroad shouldn't have employed 
  boys in a position where they were in control of the safety of 
  passengers and fellow employees.
- Witnesses: A. Lincoln SWEET, Charles E. JOHEE, John E. MARKER, 
  John William LAUB, John R. RYOE, M. D. DUNFORD, George Van KIRK, 
  Charles A. PEPPLE, Russel F. SMITH, Gerward L. ELLROTT, H. A. LOGUE.
[Book 12, 28-29] (Filed 7 Mar 1907, Judgment Liber 23, 111)


BICKEL, Ross H., of Dauphin Co, PA - at Williamsport
- 16 Dec 1908 - by J. C. HERSHBERGER, J.P., acting coroner
- Death - Ross was an employee for the Washington and Berkeley Bridge 
  Company and was doing structural work on constructing bridge across 
  the Potomac River at Williamsport.  On the morning of 16 Dec 1908, 
  Ross came to his death as a result injuries from falling girders, 
  extended from pier #9 to pier #10.  It was found inferior materials 
  were used and time needed for girders to set was not allowed before 
  additional construction, causing the collapse.
[Book 12, 62-68] (Filed 24 Dec 1908, Judgment Liber 23, 145)


BOODRY, Scott W. - at Williamsport, District #2
- 12 Aug 1907 - by John L. CHRISMAN, J.P., acting coroner
- Death - from drowning in the canal on night of 11 Aug; body was 
  recovered 12 Aug at 8:30 am.  No marks of violence.  Undertaker 
  J. F. KREPS was instructed to take charge of the body.
- Dr. E. H. GAITHER
- Witnesses:  
  - Harry JEROLEMAN, who was steering the boat, stated BOODRY was 
  asleep on canal boat #10 (Captain Charles DELOWNEY, who was not 
  on board) on the cabin deck and he called him to throw out line 
  to driver to tie up the boat for the night.  Decedent aroused and 
  fell to the plank, got up again and fell into the canal.  He called 
  to him but received no response; then called the driver to stop, 
  which he did.  It was 10:30 pm, 11 Aug 1907.
  - Benton BENDER, who was driving mules on the towpath, didn't see 
  or hear anything until JEROLEMAN called to him to stop.  He notified 
  Constable KELSER and they and Thomas HOOVER made efforts to recover 
  the body during the night but were unsuccessful.
- Personal effects - Masters Certificate for sick or disabled seamen, 
  business cards of New Bedford, Mass. Liquor dealers, name card of 
  Len MORRIS of New Bedford, Massachusetts, pocket knife, 10 cents, 
  two dice. Some money was raised for burial expenses.
[Book 12, 38-40] (Filed 24 Aug 1907, Judgment Liber 23, 121)


BOWERS, Russell - at MAIN's Furniture in Hagerstown
- 20 Jul 1906 - by Elias B. HARTLE, J.P., acting coroner
- Death - about 4:30 pm, he went up on an elevator at Main's 
  Furniture Factory and started the elevator and was accidentally 
  crushed by the elevator and died instantly. 
- Doctor and four Witnesses, not named.
[Book 12, 15-16] (Filed 21 Jul 1906, Judgment Liber 23, 101)


BROOKS, George - near Sandy Hook
- 15 Dec 1906 - by William M. CLARK, J.P., acting coroner
- Death - from being struck by a train in the B & O tunnel near 
  Sandy Hook.
- Witnesses: Ambrose WHETZ, Willie VALENTINE, Henry BELL, Joseph 
  HOPEWELL, Corbett HAURS, Alice BELL.
[Book 12, 23-25] (Filed 17 Dec 1906, Judgment Liber 23, 110)


CLEVENGER, J. W. - at Hancock
- 15 Oct 1910 - by W. M. CLARK, J.P., acting coroner
- Death - by suicide from pistol shot while temporarily insane 
  on 14 Oct 1910. 
[Book 12, 96-97] (Filed 22 May 1911, Judgment Liber 23, 179)


CLINE, Minnie - at Sandy Hook
- 23 Aug 1906 - by W. M. CLARK, J.P., acting coroner
- Death - from electric shock while using the telephone at her 
  residence. 
- Witnesses: Eli JOHNSON, J. B. JOHNSON.
[Book 12, 17-20] (Filed 27 Aug 1906, Judgment Liber 23, 109)


COOK, Clinton - at Hagerstown
- 24 May 1910 - by Elias B. HARTLE, J.P., acting coroner
- Death - Clinton was repairing wires of the American Union 
  Telephone Company on Summit Ave in Hagerstown and came to 
  his death by coming in contact with a live electric wire, 
  without insulation, belonging to the Hagerstown Street Railway
  Company, near and on same pole where he was working.
  It was recommended the proper authorities take action to remedy 
  the numerous electric wires lacking insulation in various parts 
  of Hagerstown.
- Witnesses:  three, names not provided.
[Book 12, 80-81] (Filed 25 May 1910, Judgment Liber 23, 154)


DICKERSON, Jake - near Charlton Station
- 22 Jan 1906 - by T. Belt JOHNSON, J.P., acting coroner
- Death from being stuck by Train #350 on the Western Maryland 
  Rail Road on 21 Jan 1906 at 6 pm, immediately after the train 
  drawn by the engine was going west.
- Dr. H. C. FOSTER
- Witnesses: 
  - H. H. EPERLY stated they saw him walking down the 
  middle of the track and blew the whistle but the engine struck 
  him.  Man was going east and the train was going west. 
  - Peter(?) HOSE stated he was about 200 yards away from where 
  the man was killed; he didn't hear the whistle or bell, but 
  light enough to see a train 150 yards away.  He wasn't there 
  when the man was killed.
  - Harry BREWER stated he was on his way home from the SNYDER 
  farm; he didn't hear any bells or whistle.
[Book 12, 6-9] (Filed 30 Jan 1906, Judgment Liber 23, 94)


FLOOD, Harry - near Mercerville
- 11 Jul 1909 - by Van S. BRASHEARS, J.P., acting coroner
- Death - from accidental drowning in the C & O Canal.
- Dr. S. H. WAR____
- Witnesses:  Herbert ATHEY, Henry LEWIS, Boyd ATHEY.
[Book 12, 69-72] (Filed 19 Jul 1909, Judgment Liber 23, 148)


FLYNN, Aloysius Malacha - at Big Spring
- 24 Aug 1910 - by J. Harry MOORE, J.P., acting coroner
- Death - caused by being struck by a train running on the 
  Western Maryland Railroad on the night of Aug 23 or 24, 1910.
- Dr. Theo. BOOZ
[Book 12, 82-83] (Filed 25 Oct 1910, Judgment Liber 23, 166)


FOUKE, D. E. and Harry M. GIGOUS - at Hagerstown
- 23 Aug 1910 - by Ernest HOFFMAN, J.P., acting coroner
- Death - Came to their death on 22 Aug 1910 due to the carelessness 
  and failure to obey orders by Lewis S. HOPWOOD, conductor, and 
  Charles B. EICHELBERGER, engineer, of the Western Maryland Railroad 
  Train #204.
- Witnesses:  H. H. BUSY, William FLEIGH, Jacob SHEELEY, George McKANE, 
  G. W. ROACH, John G. DOUGHERTY.
[Book 12, 87-89] (Filed 22 Sep 1910, Judgment Liber 23, 167)


GIGOUS, Harry M. and D. E. FOUKE - at Hagerstown
- 23 Aug 1910 - by Ernest HOFFMAN, J.P., acting coroner
- Death - Came to their death on 22 Aug 1910 due to the carelessness 
  and failure to obey orders by Lewis S. HOPWOOD, conductor, and 
  Charles B. EICHELBERGER, engineer, of the Western Maryland Railroad 
  Train #204.
- Witnesses:  H. H. BUSY, William FLEIGH, Jacob SHEELEY, George McKANE, 
  G. W. ROACH, John G. DOUGHERTY.
[Book 12, 87-89] (Filed 22 Sep 1910, Judgment Liber 23, 167)


HANES, Jesse - at Sample's Manor
- 30 Apr 1906 - by W. M. CLARK, J.P., acting coroner
- Death by accidentally falling into the canal and drowning  
  at Lock #35 in the C & O Canal.
- Witnesses: William REYNOLD, Charles GROVE.
[Book 12, 12-14] (Filed 2 May 1906, Judgment Liber 23, 100)


HEWETT, William A. - at Bridgeport, near Shepherdstown
- 3 Oct 1911 - by George M. SNAVELY, J.P., acting coroner
- Death - from accidental fall from the N & W Rail Road Bridge 
  across the Potomac River near Shephardstown, WV.
- Dr. E. M. GARROTT
[Book 12, 101-102] (Filed 23 Oct 1911, Judgment Liber 23, 211)


HOLMES, Horace - in Hagerstown
- 20 May 1909 - by Ernest HOFFMAN, J.P., acting coroner
- Death - Murdered by being stabbed through the heart with a 
  knife by George GRASS.
- Dr. J. R. LAUGHLIN
- Witnesses:  Moses LAKE, Matthew MILLER, Julia WAGNER, Fluetta 
  WAGNER, LeRoy BROWN, Buz THOMPSON, Besie(?) HILL, George GROSS, 
  and others not readable.
[Book 12, 73-74] (Filed 21 May 1909, Judgment Liber 23, 147)


INGRAM, George W. - near Antietam Iron Works
- 12 Oct 1907 - by James MARROW, J.P., acting coroner
- Death - from accidental drowning in the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal.
- Dr. J. Howell GARDNER
- Witnesses:  Charles INGRAM, James INGRAM
[Book 12, 41-43] (Filed 15 Nov 1907, Judgment Liber 23, 122)


JACKSON, Andrew - at Grove's Lock #34 on C & O Canal
- 23 Apr 1911 - by W. M. CLARK, J.P., acting coroner
- Death - from accidental drowning on 22 Apr 1911. 
[Book 12, 92-95] (Filed 25 Apr 1911, Judgment Liber 23, 179)


KREPS, Emory E. - at Williamsport
- 14 Aug 1907 - by John L. CHRISMAN, J.P., acting coroner
- Death - from gunshot wound at hands of unknown person; jury 
  determined the killing was justified under the circumstances.
- Dr. E. H. GAITHER
- Witnesses:  Frank TEMPLETON, John GEORGE, Frank E. NORCROSS, W. S. 
  RICHARDSON, W. O. BOWSER, Frank HETZER, Katie BOWSER, Meta BOWSER, 
  Llewellen KING, A. ROTH, C. G. KELSER, Howard WRIGHT, Richard BROWN, 
  Frank LANCASTER, F. T. GODDARD, A. O. MURRY, Robert ARDINGER, Clyde 
  CHRISMAN, Harry CHRISMAN, H. BLOOMBERG & wife, Dr. LEHER, Charles 
  COPES.
[Book 12, 34-37] (Filed 24 Aug 1907, Judgment Liber 23, 120)


LEE, Derwood - at Hagerstown
- 1 Nov 1906 - by W. M. CLARK, J.P., acting coroner
- Death - from a blow delivered by Jeny DORSEY at the Odd Fellow 
  Hall on West Bethel St, between 10 and 11 pm.
- Dr. S. M. WAGANAR, Dr. H. K. DEN
- Witnesses: Ambrose WHETZ, Willie VALENTINE, Henry BELL, Joseph 
  HOPEWELL, Corbett HAURS, Alice BELL.
[Book 12, 21-22] (Filed 15 Nov 1906, Judgment Liber 23, 109-110)


LUIGI, Mazzetto - at Big Spring
- 6 Dec 1905 - by T. Belt JOHNSON, J.P., acting coroner
- Death by accidental explosion of dynamite near Four Locks on 
  Wabash Railroad.  The contractor was faulted for explosion.
- Dr. H. C. FOSTER
  Witnesses:  Dan EGAN, W. L. HALEY, R. K. KIDWELL.
[Book 12,1-3] (Filed 5 Jan 1906, Judgment Liber 23, 93)


MALONE, Paul Lewis - in Indian Springs District
- 16 Oct 1910 - by Alvey MILLS, J.P., acting coroner
- Death - Murdered from being stabbed in the right arm on 15 Oct 
  by Martin BRIDENDOLPH, alias Martin KRONTZ; Paul died several 
  hours later.
- Dr. Theo. BOOZ
- Witnesses:  15, names not listed.
[Book 12, 84-86] (Filed 21 Oct 1910, Judgment Liber 23, 167)


MALOTTE, Annie E. - at Williamsport
- 13 Apr 1908 - by John L. CHRISMAN, J.P., acting coroner
- Death - from suicide by drinking carbolic acid after being 
  despondent.
- Dr. W. S. RICHARDSON
- Witnesses:  Dick BROWN, Mary LAKE, William CORBY, Esther 
  ARDINGER, Essie MURPHY, C. C. DOWNS, William STERLING, Dorothy 
  GRIMES.
[Book 12, 52-53] (Filed 14 Apr 1908, Judgment Liber 23, 127)


MATHEWS, R. C. - at Hagerstown
- 9 Jan 1907 - by Ernest HOFFMAN, J.P., acting coroner
- Death - from scalds and burns while working as a fireman on the 
  Baltimore & Ohio Railroad; caused by a crown sheet giving way.
- Witnesses: J. C. BARGER, James FAUCETT, Mike BRENNAN, Oliver J. 
  HILES, ____ CARVER, Charles E. SUTER.
[Book 12, 26-27] (Filed 10 Jan 1907, Judgment Liber 23, 110)


McDOWELL, Maud - at Hagerstown
- 3 Jul 1908 - by Ernest HOFFMAN, J.P., acting coroner
- Death - from abortion produced by unknown means.
- Dr. E. A. WAREHAM, Dr. O. H. W. RAGAN, Dr. H. K. DEU, Dr. S. M. 
  WAGANER, Dr. D. A. WATKINS.
- Witnesses:  Mrs. George McDOWELL, George McDOWELL
[Book 12, 57-58] (Filed 6 Jul 1908, Judgment Liber 23, 133-134)


McPHERSON, Thomas - at Linwood Station
- 11 Feb 1908 - by Ernest HOFFMAN, J.P., acting coroner
- Death - Cause undetermined, but believed to be exposure to the 
  weather.
- Witnesses:  Joseph POWELL, Frank McPHERSON.
[Book 12, 46-47] (Filed 24 Feb 1908, Judgment Liber 23, 123)


MILLER, Stanley U. - at Hagerstown
- 7 Apr 1908 - by Elias B. HARTLE, J.P., acting coroner
- Death - from tetanus due to wound above the left eye, inflicted 
  by some missile thrown by Charles KAETZEL on 23 Mar 1908; thrown 
  with no intention to injure MILLER who died 7 Apr 1908.
- Dr. C. R. SCHELLER, Dr. S. W. UMSTOL
- Witnesses:  Erkson SAYLOR, Fred HOSE, William HOSE, Harry SEMLER, 
  Paul MILLER, Edward MILLER
[Book 12, 48-49] (Filed 10 Apr 1908, Judgment Liber 23, 126)


MOOREHEAD, Robert J. - at Roxbury
- 9 Oct 1907 - by Elias B. HARTLE, J.P., acting coroner
- Death - On afternoon of 7 Oct 1907, while driving alone in an 
  automobile and going across the B & O Rail Road tracks at Roxbury 
  Station, he accidentally collided with an eastbound extra freight 
  train and died from injuries.  The jury determined it to be a 
  dangerous crossing and asked for a safety device or flagman be 
  placed at said crossing; the crew of the train was exonerated of 
  any blame.
- Dr. V. M. REICHARD  
[Book 12, 44-45] (Filed 10 Oct 1907, Judgment Liber 23, 122)


OLD, Joshua - at Weverton
- 29 Apr 1906 - by W. M. CLARK, J.P., acting coroner
- Death by intentional murder from being shot in the chest by 
  revolver at hands of Henry TURNER on the 28th of April 1906.
- Dr. H. C. FOSTER
- Witnesses: E. L. YOURTEE.
[Book 12, 10-11] (Filed 1 May 1906, Judgment Liber 23, 99)


ORSANI, Orazio - at Four Locks
- 8 Jan 1906 - by T. Belt JOHNSON, J.P., acting coroner
- Death by premature explosion of dynamite on the Western 
  Maryland Railroad improvements.  No blame attached to the 
  employers.  
- Dr. H. C. FOSTER
[Book 12, 4-5] (Filed 10 Jan 1906, Judgment Liber 23, 93)


PLATT, J. W. - at Hagerstown
- 5 Aug 1908 - by Elias B. HARTLE, J.P., acting coroner
- Death - from gunshot wound by unknown person on 1 Aug 1908 by 
  a .38 calibre revolver fired into his brain whereby he died instantly.
- Dr. C. R. SCHELLER, Dr. D. A. WATKINS
- Witnesses:  12, not named.
[Book 12, 50-51] (Filed 6 Aug 1908, Judgment Liber 23, 132-133)


REYNOLD, William - at Pondsville; concluded at Smithsburg
- 29-30 Sep 1908 - by J. H. FERGUSON, J.P., acting coroner
- Death - Murder - Died instantly from gunshot wounds to the 
  face and head on 29 Sep 1908; inflicted by Charles CLINE.
- Dr. KEFAUVER
- Witnesses:  Ragon ALSIPE, Philip BARNES, Sarah POOL, Mary 
  REYNOLDS, Edward KAILBAUGH, G. B. HOOVER, Cathrine BARNES.
[Book 12, 59-61] (Filed 25 Nov 1908, Judgment Liber 23, 134)


ROMAN, Justus - at Hancock
- 1 Jun 1910 - by Ernest HOFFMAN, J.P., acting coroner
- Death - Murdered on 30 May 1910 by gunshot wound inflicted by 
  Claude McCUSKER. 
- Witnesses:  Two, names not listed.
[Book 12, 90-91] (Filed 10 Jun 1910, Judgment Liber 23, 168)


ROOD, Leslie B. - at Harpers Ferry Lock
- 17 Jul 1907 - by William M. CLARK, J.P., acting coroner
- Death - accidentally drowned while swimming at Sandy Hook in the 
  Chesapeake & Ohio Canal on 16 Jul 1907.
Note -  Leslie was a Private in Troop G, 13th Cavalry. The Captain 
        who a wrote letter for report was stationed at Fort Myer, VA.
[Book 12, 30-33] (Filed 18 Jul 1907, Judgment Liber 23, 120)


SCADDEN, John Elihu - at Beaver Creek
- 18 Dec 1911 - by Ernest HOFFMAN, J.P., acting coroner
- Death - Murdered by Willliam CRASS on 17 Dec 1911 from gunshot 
  wound by revolver.
- Dr. G. S. ERLEHART
- Witnesses:  Stella SCADDEN, J. S. MARSH, Jesse FULTON, David 
  FULTON, Charles SCADDEN.
[Book 12, 98-100] (Filed 29 Dec 1911, Judgment Liber 23, 210)


SCHNEBLY, John - near Fairview
- 2 Sep 1909 - by J. Harry MOORE, J.P., acting coroner
- Death - from natural causes.
- Dr. C. T. MASON
- Witnesses:  four, names not provided.
[Book 12, 77-79] (Filed 18 Jan 1910, Judgment Liber 23, 147)


WARNER, John - at Weverton
- 2 Jun 1908 - by Oliver M. C. YOUNKINS, J.P., acting coroner
- Death - from murder by being assaulted by an unknown person 
  and then being thrown into the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal and/or 
  by drowning; on 1 Jun 1908.  (wrote neck broken, then crossed out)
[Book 12, 54-56] (Filed 25 Jun 1908, Judgment Liber 23, 133)


WHITE, Mary E. - at Hagerstown
- 8 Mar 1909 - by Elias B. HARTLE, J.P., acting coroner
- Death - from septic poisoning due to an abortion performed 
  upon herself; died on 5 Mar 1909.
- No physician listed
- Witnesses:  19, names not provided.
[Book 12, 75-76] (Filed 8 Mar 1909, Judgment Liber 23, 145)

 

The End of Book 12 of Washington Co, Maryland Inquisitions - 1906-1911