Crawford County, Pennsylvania

INQUESTS

LISTING · INTRODUCTION · ABSTRACTS

Ct.QS May Session 1804 “An Inquisition indented, taken at the plantation of Alexander Munteer, in The Township of Irwin & County aforesaid [now Venango Co.] the twenty second day of April in the year of our Lord one Thousand eight hundred & four, before me Alexander McDowell one of the Justices of the peace in and for the county aforesaid, upon the view of the body of Alexander Munteer, then & there lying Dead, upon the oaths of Samuel Dale [signed Saml. Dale Jnr.], Abraham Selders [signed A Selder], George Power, Marcus Huling [signed Marcus Hulings], Saml. Huling [signed Saml. Hulings], Thomas Huling [signed Thos Hulings], William Broadfoot, David Brown, William Bowles [signed with his mark], John Blood, Robert Grimes [signed Robert Graham], & John Morison [signed John Morrison], who say upon their Oath, that upon the examination of [torn] it appeared to them that on the night of the 21st Inst. the aforsaid Alexr Munteer being Intoxicated with Liquor, & on the road to his own house, being unwilling & unable to proceed, & refusing the assistances of his Wife & Son Thomas, was left laying by the way, & on the following morning was found Dead, apparently suffocated by laying in an improper position, And so the jurors aforesaid upon their oaths aforesaid, say that the aforesaid Alexander Munteer, from the cause aforesaid, in manner & form aforesaid, came to his Death & not otherwise, In witness whereof we have hereunto set our names the day & date above mentioned.” Filed 10 May 1804, copy delivered to Coroner.

Ct.QS November Session 1804 Inquest held 7 May 1804 before Thomas McKee, “for want of a coroner,” re “a man found floating on the Alleghany River on the sixth day of May instant,” with jurors Dennis Purcell, Thomas Wilson, Benjn. Williams, William Dickson, Wm. McKee, John Phipps, Jno. Witherup, Samuel Doty, Aaron Kester[?], Samuel Eakin, Benj. Williams, Thomas Wilson, Jess Doty, Jesse Williams, and Dennis Purcell, who “give it in our Oppinion that the Person whose Body we have examined was drowned in Sd. River … N.B. we whose names are hereunto An[n]exed believe the Body above mentioned to be the Body of John McElhevy”; signed Dennis Purcell, Thomas Wilson, Benjn. Williams.

Ct.QS November Session 1804 Inquest held at McDowells Mill 21 Aug. 1804 before Alexander McDowell, J.P., re Noah Ridgeway then and there lying dead, with jurors George Fowler [signed G. Fowler], Abraham Selder, Martin Creigher, Marcus Hulings Senr., Andrew Campbell, Nathl. Hays, Alexander Fowler, Richard Hughs [signed R. Hughes], Thomas Hulings, Willm. Broadfoot, Marcus Hulings Jnr., David Brown, Paul Saunders, and Robt. Huston, who find “that not having God before his eyes, but being sedused & moved by the instigation of the Devil at or near the McDowells Mill as aforesaid, on a certain Fence at or near McDowells Mill as aforesaid, the said Noah Ridgeway, being then and their alone, with a certain silk Handkerchief, which he then and their had & held in his hands and one end thereof then and their put about his neck, & the other end thereof tied about a stake of the aforesaid Fence himself then & there with the Handkerchief aforesaid, Voluntarily and feloniously, & of his malice aforethought, hanged and suffocated, & … that the said Noah Ridgway then & there in manner & form aforesaid as a felon of himself feloniously Voluntarily and of his Malice aforethought, himself killed strangled, and murdered, against the peace of this Commonwealth.” Filed 6 Nov. 1804.

Inquest held [near Saegertown] 22 Feb. 1807 re Andrew Eager: see CCG 2(1979):2.

Ct.QS December Session 1807 Inquest held at James Limber’s house, Venango Twp., 25 Dec. 1807 before Mr. Patrick McGill, Coroner, re James Limber, then and there lying dead, with jurors William Gill, George Long, James Long [signed James Long Jur], Samuel Blair, Arthur McGill Jur., Arthur McGill Senr, John Glenn, Henry Minnium [signed Henrich Minion], Jacob Flock, Hugh Louge [signed Hugh Logue], John Hickernell, Robert Gill, Henry McGill, Dougle Galleher [signed Double Gallagher], James Consel [signed James Counsil], Eber Lewis, Adam Brookhouzer [signed Adam Brookhouser], Henry Minium [signed Henrich Miniam], John Rogers, Michael Dell [signed Michaell Dill], Jacob Brookhouser, Matheas Floch, and Jideah[?] Freeman [signed Judiah Freeman], who find “that the said James Limber on the twenty fifth day of December in the year aforesaid at Venango Township and in the County aforesaid going into a Canoe in French Creek to cross over the same Creek it so happened, that accidentally, casually and by misfortune he the said James Limber fell out of the canoe into the creek water and was then and there suffocated and drowned, of which said suffocation and drowning he … then & there instantly died.”

Inquest held in Coniott [Conneaut] Twp. 27 April 1820 re Friend Hall: see CCG 2(1979):2.

Inquest held in Sadsbury Twp. 2 July 1820 re Adam Luper: see CCG 2(1979):2-3.

Orphans Ct. Dk. A: 139 (sale of real estate of George Adam Lupfer to Jacob Trace, being 57 acres 30 perches in Sadsbury Twp., confirmed 12 Nov. 1821).

Inquest held [at Meadville?] 10 Oct. 1822 re John Kayao: see CCG 2(1979):3.

Inquest held in Coniott Twp. 24 March 1823 re Welcome Hall: see CCG 2(1979):3.

Inquest held in Oilcreek Twp. 4 April 1823 re Daniel Carlin: see CCG 2(1979):3.

Inquest held in Conniautt Twp. 30 April 1823 re Thomas Crocket: see CCG 2(1979):3.

Orphans Ct. Dk. A: 324 (Joseph Garwood, Jr., appointed guardian of Patty and Thomas Crocket, minor children above the age of 14 of Thomas Crockett, deceased, late of Conneaut Twp., 10 Aug. 1835; his surety was James McDowell), A: 329 (Aug. Term 1835, petition of Joseph Garwood, guardian, for sale of real estate, “setting forth that the said Thomas died on or about the year A.D. 1823 leaving a widow, Hester, and issue nine children, viz: Mary, married to Luman Lawrence; Jane, married to Samuel Garwood 2d; Nancy, married to William Graham; Hester, married to Joseph Garwood, and Sophia M. Crocket; Margaret, married to Judah Warner; William Crocket; Patty Ann Crocket & Thomas Crocket, and seized as tenant in common with James McDowell of … one hundred acres articled for with H. J. Huidekoper on the 21st Dec. 1818”; granted, sale confirmed 14 Nov. 1835).

Inquest held at Meadville 21 Oct. 1823 re Francis Carr: see CCG 2(1979):3-4.

Inquest held in Coniott [Conneaut] Twp. 3 Jan. 1825 re David Yeomans: see CCG 2(1979):4.

Ct.QS February Session 1829 Inquest of jurors [signed] Peter Mattocks (his mark), Isaac Hazen, Robert Hood, Moses Findley, Jacob Rodes (his mark), Thomas Dumars, Robert Dumars, Jackson Gelvin, James Keem, James Mil[ler?—cut-off], Isaac Turner, and Adam H[—?], in the presence of [justices] Francis Porter and Moses Logan, “summoned to enquire concerning how James Brush came by his death on the seventh day of January [1829],” who “report that we do believe that he came to his death by willfully hanging himself.” Filed 11 Feb. 1829.

Crawford Messenger 15 Jan. 1829, p, 3, col. 1: “A man by the name of Brush, said to have been in easy circumstances, closed his troubles as to this life, by hanging himself, last week, in Fallowfield township, in this county.”
Register’s Dk. A: 9, line 45, A: 150, line 41, and 1: 3: letters of administration on the estate of James Brush, decd., issued 27 Jan. 1829 to William Brush; $800 bond filed with James Reed and Patrick Hanna as sureties; inventory and sale list filed 4 March 1829.

Orphans Ct. Dk. C: 277-78: #13 Aug. Term 1850: petition for partition of the real estate of James Brush who died on or about 1 Nov. 1828 [sic] leaving a widow, Isabella, “and seven children, viz: Ana, who intermarried with John Reed, William, Joseph, Samuel, Robert, (Esther who intermarried with Jacob Swartz and leaving issue decd) and Rolland Brush.” See also Orphans Ct. Dk. B: 123 (Magdalene Brush estate).

Inquest held at Cambridge 5 March 1832 re Orin Wilcox: see CCG 2(1979):4.

Court of Oyer & Terminor, April Session 1832: Samuel Thomas, Jr., yeoman, and Edna Wilcox, widow of Orren Wilcox, late of said county, decd., charged jointly and separately with the murder (and being accessories to the murder) of Orren Wilcox, by mixing poison, namely arsenic, in certain spiritous liquors and in his tea, between 25 Dec. 1831 and 26 Feb. 1832, whereby he died 26 Feb. 1832 “of the said sickness and distemper thereby occationed”; witnesses were Dr. Grey, Dr. Burgess, Ira Thomas, Isaac Kelly, Elan Hutchison Jr., Jno Jarvis, Jas Hutchison, and Jno Hutchison; no indictments returned. Examination of Edna H Wilcox taken 5 March 1832: “he [Orren] was taken away to gravel run by Mr Samuel Thomas Senr., he was there three weeks and two days … he lived after his return from old Mr Thomas’s near three weeks and died on Sunday the 26 Feby 1832.” Samuel Thomas Senior of Rockdale Twp. and Robert L Potter, Esq., had posted bail for defendant Samuel Thomas, Jr., 14 March 1832; John Willey of Bloomfield Twp., formerly of Erie County, was surety for defendant Edna Wilcox 17 March 1832.

Ct.QS August Session 1833 Inquest held at Summerhill Twp. 6 Aug. 1833 before Alexr. Power, J.P., and James Meylur [elsewhere Myler], J.P., re a Female Infant [Gilliland] “found dead near the House of Jno. Fetterman in Summerhill Township,” then and there lying dead, with jurors William Power Jr, Frances Mcguire, Daniel Hammon, Edward Weaver, James Dart, M B Lowry, John Mimms, James Morgan, Daniel Hustis [signed Huestis], Horace Rundle [signed Rundel], William Hammon [signed Wicom Hammond], and Theodore M Power [signed T M Power], who “report that we believe the Child came to its death by the hands of Violence and Sufocation.” Bill of costs shows Doctor Wm J Mix and docr. John Nicholas examined the body. Testimony of the following witnesses filed: John McDowell; Alexr. McDowell; Wm. Walker; M. B. Lowry; Doctr. Wm. J. Mix, “that the child in his opinion had Breathed in the natural air and that he believed the Child came to its Death by Sufocation and the want of attendance”; Doctr. John Nicholas, “that he Believed the Child had Respired and that it Came to its death by Suffocation and the want of attention”; James Fetterman Jr.; James Myler, Esqr., “She thought She would keep it a Secret and not bring disgrace on hir parents … She mentioned the name of the Childs father and Stated that he had no hand in advising her to put away the Child that they had never Spoken together on the Subject”; Mrs. Sarah Fetterman; John Bearfield; and Mrs. Uniss Lord.

Ibid.: Nancy Gilliland spinster, then a single and unmarried woman, was indicted for murder and concealing the death of a female bastard child in Summerhill Twp. 31 July 1833, “that she the said Nancy Gilliland with both hands with certain dirt and bark and gravel and pith which the said Nancy Gilliland then and there had and held in both her hands, the mouth and throat of the said female bastard child … did stop up and fill and thereby the said female bastard child did then and there choak and strangle … and there instantly died”; scheduled witnesses were John McDowel, William Watkins, James Fetterman, M B Lowrey, James Myler Esq., John Bearfield, Alexr. McDowel, Freidom Lord, Eunice Lord, Lorat Fetterman, John Nichol[a]s, and John Fetterman. Examinatin of Nancy Gilliland of Summerhill Twp. taken before Alexr. Power, J.P., 6 Aug. 1833: “She Says She Never Saw the Child living[;] when I had the Child I did not know I Must have Been out of my head & Remember of going out of Jno. Fettermans House But I do not Recollect when or how I Came For I did not know Where I had it untill I found it the Next Day, I found it a Little Below the House I Sat down Beside it I wept over it & then Caried it & Laid it Down By the fence I did Not Cover it, it was on Last Wednesdy Night I had the Child Just after night; No one Ever advised me to Conceal the Birth or Death of Said Child & I Never had any Intention of putting it out of the way & I Supposed the Child was Dead Sometime Before it was Born”; B. Berfield attests. Subpoenas dated 17 and 18 Sept. 1833 were issued to Alexr. Power, Esq., Dr. Edward Ellis, Dr. Daniel Bemus, Elizabeth Gowdy wife of Samuel Gowdy, and Fanny Wingard to testify on behalf of defendant. Affidavit of Michael Wingard [signed Winger] of Summerhill Twp., ack. 12 Nov. 1833, states “that his wife Fanny Wingard is not able to come to town—she expects daily to be confined— … she lives about 13 or 14 miles from here.”

Crawford Messenger 23 Aug. 1833, p. 3, col. 1: “We present to our readers an abstract of the proceedings of the late Court of Quarter Sessions which we regret to say has been fruitful in crime to a degree hitherto unparallelled in our peaceful community … There was also a bill found against twelve individuals charged with the murder of Charles Hickenbottom [Higgenbottom]; and one against Nancy Gilleland charged wtih the murder of her illigitimate [sic] child.”

Crawford Messenger 14 Feb. 1834, p. 3, col. 1 (acquited): “THE COURT.–When our paper went to press but few cases had been disposed of. The case of Nancy Guilleland for the murder and concealment of an infant child, came up on Monday.–On Tuesday evening the jury returned a verdict of ‘Not Guilty.’ [¶]Ramsay, for Commonwealth. [¶]Messrs. Sill, Farrelly and Powers, for defendant.”

Ct.QS February Session 1836 Inquest held at Randolph Twp. before James Porter, Coroner, re Elizabeth Cutshall then and there lying dead, with jurors Salmon S. Bates, Luke Hotchkiss, Abner Carpenter, Ezra Carpenter, John Davison, Ansel Hall, Archibald Stewart, D W Work[?], Andrew J. Stewart, Luther Wilder, Samuel Hall, and David L Hanks, who find “that on the Eighth Day of January one thousand Eight Hundred and thirty six and in the County Aforesaid in Randolph Township Was found Dead thath [sic] She Had No Marks of Voilolence Appearing on hir Body and Died By the Visitation of God in A Natural Way and Not Otherwise.” Bill of costs on cover shows “Mileage [to Court] twelve miles.”

Ct.QS April Session 1838 Inquest held at the house of John McNamara at Evansburg [now Conneaut Lake] 18 March 1838 before John H Mattocks, Coroner, re Isaac Davis, “then and there lying dead near the said village aforesaid in Sadsbury Township,” with jurors William Woodruff (foreman), Chas. M. Yates, Philip Spencer, John McNamara, Franklin Stratton, J McFarland, James Dixon, J. R. Finley, Jared Freeland, N. S. Cummings, Jos. [or Jas.?] P. Cummings, and John T. Backenstose, who find “that the said Isaac Davis came to his death by poison by some person or persons unknown.” Filed 25 March 1838.

See CCG 2(1979):4-5. Quarter Sessions records reveal the identities of the accused “girl and woman”:

Court of Oyer & Terminor, April Session 1838: Rebeca Shellito, spinster, indicted for murder by mixing arsenic in milk drunk by Isaac Davis between 11 and 13 March 1838, “whereof he became sick and greatly distemperred and died in [Crawford] county” 13 March 1838; scheduled witnesses for the Commonwealth were Dr. Phillip Spencer, Dr. William Woodruff, Dr. Charles M Yeats [Yates], Israel Miller, Joseph Davis, Richard Adsit, John Mellon, Alexander Lindsey, Phebe Staley, John McNamara, Franklin Stratton, John Davis, and John H Mattocks. The arrest warrant had been issued on oath of William Woodruff, and the defendant jailed 20 March 1838. A subpoena was issued 6 April 1838 to Mary Davis, Rebecca Davis, Venere Davis, and Isaac Peterson to testify on behalf of defendant.

Court of Oyer & Terminor, April Session 1838: Phoebe Staley alias Phoebe Grinnels alias Phoebe Loper spinster was indicted on the same charge as Rebecca Shellito; scheduled witnesses were Abdon Sutton, Mary Davis, Rebecca Jane Davis, Thomas Sutton, Isaac Peterson, Wm. Woodruff, C. M. Yates, Philip Spencer, John McNamara, Frank Stratton, Rebeca Shellito, Alexander Lindsey, Sarah Sutton, Isaac Williams, Venire Davis “not found,” John Mellon, James R. Finley, and John H. Mattocks. The defendant had been jailed 21 March 1838 on a mitimus issued that day on oath of Thomas Sutton. A subpoena was issued 12 April 1838 to M. A. Chandler, John McNamara, and Polly Hitchcock to testify on defendant’s behalf; bills of costs were filed for Robert Swails and Cathrine Swails as witnesses.

O.Ct. Dk. B: 100, 211 (administrators’ acccount).

Inquest held at Meadville 22 March 1838 re Archibald Christy: see CCG 2(1979):5.

Inquest held in Fallowfield Twp. 23 Oct. 1838 re William Richardson: see CCG 2(1979):5.

Ct.QS February Session 1840 Inquest held at the house of Henry McGee in the Borough of Meadville 19 Feb. 1840 before Jno. H Mattocks, Coronor, re Simpson W. Montgomery then and there lying dead, with jurors Joseph Derickson, Roswel Sexton, Alfred Sergeant, Saml. Douds, Samuel Forker, Thomas Clemson, Benja. McNeal [signed Benj. McNeil], Richd Hope, Wm. Davis, Parsons Sexton [signed Person Sexton], Chas. M. Yates, and Isaac Myers, who find that “the One Simpson W. Montgomery late of the County of Crawford came to his by his Death by the Visitation of God.” Coroner’s statement of costs shows witnesses Benjamin Burwell, Henry McGee, and Frances McBride. Filed 21 Feb. 1840.

Crawford Statesman 21 Feb. 1840, p. 3, col. 3: “SUDDEN DEATH.–Mr. S. W. Montgomery, a citizen of the western part of this county, died at Mr. Magee’s tavern in this borough, on last Tuesday night. We saw and conversed with him on the afternoon of that day, and are informed that he ate his supper and retired to bed in his usual health, but was found a corpse on Wednesday morning.”

Ct.QS #13 August Session 1840 Inquest held at Sadsbury Twp. 25 July 1840 before William Porter, Coroner, re “a man appearantly about forty five years of age, laying dead near the Job of Riley & Power in the Township of Sadsbury,” and identified on the inquest cover as Patrick Collins, with jurors Morrow B. Lowry [signed M B Lowry], L. M. Chamberlain, Walter G. Perry, James Struthers, Benj Struthers, J G Brown, Denney Garwood, Eli Lily [signed Eli Livy(?)], Benjamin Brown, John B Rise, J. D. Easterwood, and Jacob L. Gilliland, who “report that he Came to his death in Consequence of Blows Inflicted on his Head, by means of a Bludgen of Wood or other Hard substance & after Hear[ing] the Testamny are of oppinion and that the said Blows was inflicted by the Hands [of] Jno. Serah & Catharine Welch in the Township of Sadsby on the afternoon of Friday the 24 day of July Inst.” Bill of costs show “Mileage 22 miles (circular).” Filed 28 July 1840.

Ibid. (Court of Oyer & Terminor): Catharine Welsh [“Walsh” and “Walch” on bills of costs], married woman, indicted for the murder of Patrick Collins by beating him with a large wooden club, “of which said mortal wounds & bruises he the said Patrick Collins the same day … died”; scheduled witnesses were Morrow B. Lowry, Daniel McGee [written over “McKee”], Robert Morgan, John McGrath, Mrs. [Elizabeth, per bill of costs] Carlin, L. M. Chamberlain, Patrick Welsh Jr., Mrs. Consley, Mrs McCoy, and Mrs. Harriet Morgan. The arrest warrant had been issued to the constable of Spring Twp., and the defendant committed to the gaol [county jail] 25 July 1840.

Ct.QS #14 Aug. Session 1840: John Sarey, yeoman, indicted for the murder of Patrick Collins by beating him with a large wooden club [same as above]; scheduled witnesses were Morrow B. Lowry, Daniel McKee, Patrick Welsh, Robert Morgan, Catharine Welsh, John McGrath, Mrs. Carlin, L. M. Chamberlain, Patrick Welsh Jr., Mrs. Consley, Mrs. Cath. Smith, Mrs. McCoy, James Morgan, and Mrs. Harriet Morgan. (Attachment issued 11 Nov. 1840 to Mrs. McCoy, wife [of] James McCoy, for nonattendance; returned, sick.) Deft. was committed to the gaol 24 July 1840. Verdict: guilty of second degree murder; sentenced to solitary confinement at hard labor in the State Penitentiary in Allegheny Co. for ten years, and pay $500 fine plus costs.

Inquest held in Mead Twp. 30 Nov. 1841 re Philip Spitler: see CCG 2(1979):5.

Inquest held at Richmond Twp. 18 July 1842 re Robert King: see CCG 2(1979):5-6.

Inquest held in Conneautt Twp. 24 Sept. 1843 re John Everden/Everdon;see CCG 2(1979):8.

Inquest held in Meadville 17 Nov. 1843 re William E. Burns: see CCG 2(1979):8-9.

Inquest held in Woodcock Twp. 5 July 1844 re John Marlat/Marlatt;see CCG 2(1979):9.

Orphans Ct. Dk. C: 84 (inquest of partition): petition of Jacob Leibensperger “setting forth that he has acquired the interest of Experience Marlat (intermarried with John Norton and heir at law to John Marlatt, decd.) to the undivided one-fourth part of [90 acres 147 perches in Holland Land Company Tract 158 in Woodcock Twp.]; that Joseph Housel, deceased, died seized in his demesne as of fee of the undivided two-fourths (or one-half) of said tract or messuage; and that Rebecca Jane, intermarried with John Hunter, and heir at law of the said John Marlat, deceased, is seized in her desmesne as of fee of the remaining undivided one fourth of said messuage”; inquest awarded 15 Feb. 1849.

Inquest held in Conneaut Twp. 15 Oct. 1844 re Levina Kelsey/Kelsy: see CCG 2(1979):6.

Inquest held 26 May 1845 re Hopestill Elizabeth Jones: see CCG 2(1979):6-8, 14.

Cf. Ct.QS #2 April Session 1848 (Hugh A. Calvin and David M. Calvin, physicians, and Robert Henry and Robert Logan, yeomen, indicted for digging up and carrying away a dead body, that of Thomas Rankin who had lately before then been interred, from the burying ground and grave yard in West Fallowfield Twp.), #4 Aug. Session 1858 ([Dr.] H. E. Hendryx, [Dr.] Reuben Worth, and James Stone, yeomen, indicted for exhuming a dead body, that of Henry Graves, from his grave in Athens Twp.).

Inquest held in Vernon Twp. 10 July 1845 re Cassel Smith: see CCG 2(1979):8.

Inquest held [in Rome Twp.] 16 Sept. 1845 re Benjamin Wheathall: see CCG 2(1979):9.

Inquest held at Woodcock Twp. 16 Oct. 1845 re Isaac Boyd: see CCG 2(1979):9-10.

Inquest held in Sadsbury Twp. 9 Dec. 1846 re Michael Cunneen: see CCG 2(1979):10.

Orphans Ct. Dk. B: 373 (Court revokes letters of administration granted to Wm Lockart in default of appearing and giving additional bond, 3 April 1848).

Inquest held in Sadsbury Twp. 30 Dec. 1846 re James B. Stanford: see CCG 2(1979):10-11.

Inquest held in Mead Twp. 21 April 1849 re infant male child: see CCG 2(1979):11.

Inquest held at Adamsville 9 June 1849 re infant [Ransom]: see CCG 2(1979):11.

Court of Oyer & Terminor, #8 Aug. Session 1849: Lucinda Ransom, single woman, indicted for 1) the murder of a male bastard child, to which she had secretly given birth, by choaking him with her hands, 2) murder by throwing him in a canal where he drowned, and 3) secretly giving birth to a male bastard child which by causes unknown died that day, which she attempted to conceal; witnesses were Samuel Gordon (prosecutor), J M Walker, Allen Wier, Dr White, D K Wier, and J F Parker. Jury verdict: not guilty on the 1st or 2nd charge, but guilty on the 3d; “we jointly pray the mercy of the court to the prisoner.” The arrest warrant had been issued 9 June 1849 “on information of Samuel Gordon and others after being appointed as an inquest for suspicion of murdering a young child found in the canal near Adamsville”; defendant was committed to jail 12 June 1849. Sentence: imprisonment in the county jail for the term of six months computed from 22 Nov. 1849 and pay $1 fine plus costs.

Ibid., #54 Aug. Session 1849: William H. Meddaugh [or Meddough], yeoman, indicted for murder as an accessary before the fact and for attempting to conceal the death of the male bastard child born to Lucinda Ransom. A second arrest warrant issued 14 Nov. 1849 was executed by committing the defendant to jail. William H. Meaddaugh/Meadow, defendant, filed a special plea 16 Nov. 1849, noting that Lucinda had been acquitted of murder charges.

Inquest held [in Sadsbury Twp.?] 16 July 1849 re Abiel Goodrich: see CCG 2(1979):12.

Inquest held in Sadsbury Twp. 20 Aug. 1849 re James Connelly: see CCG 2(1979):12.

Inquest held [in Rockdale Twp.?] 22 Sept. 1849 re John Webster: see CCG 2(1979):12.

Orphans Ct. Dk. C: 272, #2 Nov. Term 1850: guardianship petition filed by Jane Webster, widow and relict of John Webster, late of Venango Twp., who “died in September, 1849, leaving the following minor children, viz: David Webster, aged 20; Solomon S., aged 19; Rachel Lucina, aged 17; Margaret Maria, aged 15 years; Mary Jane, aged 12; William D., aged 8; Edward Theodore, aged 5 years”; Jane Webster was appointed guardian for those under 14 years of age, 12 Nov. 1850. Ibid., C: 461, #15 Feb. Term 1852, petition for partition of real estate filed by David Webster, whose “Father died intestate leaving a widow Jane (since intermarried with John Morehead) and seven children”; Charles Allen and Lyman Webster appointed guardians 12 April 1852.

Ct.QS February Session 1850 Inquest held at the house of Jacob Myers in Summerhill Twp. 23 Dec. 1849 re Oliver Myers, then and there lying dead, “more than ten miles from the office of Coroner,” before J. W. Brigden, J.P., with jurors N. B. Sherwood, J B Mattoon, John Van Liew, Kinne Montgomery [signed Kenney Montgomery], Solomon Devenport [signed S Davenport], Abram Devenport [signed H. D. Devenport], William Barney, Horace Drake, John McDowell, Robert McDowell [signed R M McDowell], John B. McDowell, and Samel Myers, who find “that the said Oliver Myers on the twenty second day of December instant at the township of Summerhill and in the County aforesaid to wit in a certain public road called the Mercer road was found deatd; that he no marks of violence appearing on his body, and died by the visitation of God in a natural way and not other-wise.” The Court adjudge the necessity of holding the within inquisition 12 Feb. 1850.

Ct.QS February Session 1850 Inquest held at the house of James McMillen in the town[ship?] of Cussewago 2 Feb. 1850 before D. M. Bole, J.P., re James McMillen, then and there lying dead, with jurors T. J. Randall, M.D., John Quay, Albert Kingsley, Elijah Anderson, Alanson Anderson, William Anderson, J. H. Skelton [signed James H Skelton], Merrit Anderson, Marvin Tuttle, Cirrel Hills, Jesse Gibson, and E. C. Rogers, who find “that the said James McMillen on the 31st. day of Jan. in the year aforesaid, at Cussawago, & in the County aforesaid, to wit, at certain bars between the house & barn on his own premises was found dead at about two oclock P.M. of the day aforesaid; that he had no marks of violence appearing on his body, & died by the visitation of God, in a natural way, & not otherwise.” Filed 7 Feb. 1850; Court adjudge that there was reasonable cause for holding said inquest 18 Feb. 1850.

Inquest held in Vernon Twp. 18 May 1850 re William Curry: see CCG 2(1979):12-13.

Ct.QS August Session 1850 Inquest [apparently a copy] taken at Lock No. 23, near the residence of James Power, in Conneautville 30 May 1850 before E. B. VanTassel, J.P., re John Bates, then and there lying dead, “(no Coroner being within ten miles),” with jurors J. G. Ingraham, G. W. Brown, Lewis Olds, A.. Hollenbeak [signed A C Hollenbeck], Franklin Moulthrop [signed F Moulthrip], J. N. Cummings, G. C. Boynton, Edward Powell [signed E Powell], J. W. Haskell, C. Courtright, Wm. A. Stilwell, and Orange Cram, who find “that at Lock No. 23, in the borough of Conneautville, on the 30th day of May, 1850, John Bates, the said deceased, while attempting to lose the tiller, on board the canal boat Daniel Boon, (which said boat was being locked through said Lock,) it so happened, accidentally, casually, and by misfortune, fell from the stern of said boat into into the water in said Lock No. 23, and was carried by the current along the whole length of said boat, and received various injuries, particularly one in his forehead, and in consequence of said injuries he was incapacitated and disabled from helping himself, and being in the water he suffocated and drowned, of which said suffocation and drowning the said John Bates in manner, and by the means aforesaid, accidentally, casually, and by misfortune, came to his death and not otherwise.” The Court adjudge that there was necessity for holding the inquisition, and approve thereof, 13 Aug. 1850.

Ct.QS November Session 1851 Inquisition of Murder held at Cambridge 3 Sept. 1851 before Alexander Hickernell, Coroner, re Isabella Ryan, then and there lying dead, with jurors Wm. Campbell, Joseph Blystone [signed J Blystone], Cyrus Kitchen, John Bonner, Isaac Folwell, John Clark, Jno. W. McFadden, George Thomas A B Ross, Martin Caringer [signed M Carin-ger], J. H. Gray, Alexander Hoig [signed A Hoig], and John Stainbrook, who find “that the said Isabella Ryan came to her death, in the County aforesaid, then and there being alone, in a common river there, called French Creek, herself voluntarily and feloniously drowned; cause Melancholy. [¶]And the jurors aforesaid, upon their oath and affirmation aforesaid, say that the aforesaid Isabella Ryan in manner and form aforesaid, then and there herself voluntarily and feloniously as a felon of herself killed and murdered, against the peace and dignity of the said Commonwealth.” Approved and filed 10 Nov. 1851.

Meadville Gazette 9 Sept. 1851, p. 2, col. 6: “MELANCHOLY SUICIDE.–Mrs. Isabella Ryan, of Cambridge, in this county, committed suicide on last Wednesday, by drowning herself. She was much esteemed, and leaves a large family to mourn her loss. We have not heard any cause assigned for the act.”

Ct.QS #17 February Session 1853 Inquest held at Harmonsburg[?] 21 Nov. 1852 before James L Parks, Coroner, re Daniel Brewer of Summit Twp. there lying dead, with jurors John G Grier [signed J G Grier], William Putnam, Doct Walter Crocker, Doct J. D. N. Ralston, Doct J W Grier, Doct G A Bardwell, L H Sherwood, James Hannah, James M Dickson, Joseph Braden, Hiram Fuller, and Doct G W Bell, who find “that the Decd came to his death by poison being introduced into his stomac and the said Jurors further say that the[y] believe and just cause to believe that Simeon Brewer son of Decd. and Anna Brewer wife of Deceased are guilty of perpetrating the unlawful Deed. N B the original return or report being lost or mislaid the above is a true duplicate report as near as my recolection serves me or at least it contains the facts of the same [signed] J. L. Parks, Coroner.”

Ibid.: Simeon Brewer, yeoman, and Anna Brewer, widow, indicted for the murder of Daniel Brewer with arsenic in a mess of stewed blackberries between 13 and 20 Nov. 1852 (multiple counts); defend-ants plead not guilty. [The inquest was filed 17 Feb. 1853 as “Information in regard to Brewer Case.”]

Crawford Journal 15 and 22 Feb. 1853, devoted to the trial of Simeon Brewer in the “Poisoning Case,” includes a complete transcript of Judge Galbraith’s charge to the jury, as well as the testimony of the following witnesses: B. W. Baker, Chas. Ferris, Jas. Brewer, Dr. James W. Grier, Dr. Geo. A. Bardwell, Dr. Walter Crocker, Dr. G. W. Bell, Dr. J. D. N. Ralston, Dr. Albert Sergeant, John G. Grier, Prof. L. D. Williams, A. B. Richmond, Prof. Calvin Kingsley, James M. Dixon, Martin Chamberlain, Norman Callender, John Henry Bright, Henry Wiser, Mrs. L. Wiser, Alexander Bright, Mrs. Mary Bright, Levi Wiser, Joseph M. Butler, David Campfield, Edwin Rice, Napoleon Damon, Chas. Fisk, Benjamin Beers, Peter Mantor, Wm. Bright, Lucinda Hathaway, George Brewer, Mrs. Hetty Terrill, George Sutler, Polly Beers, Mrs. Roxanna Beers, Harrison Smith, Hiram Smith, Wm. Putnam; John Whiting, Sarah Brewer, Emory Bundy, Hannah Bundy, Wm. H. Cook, Almon Whiting, Alonzo Whiting, Wm. Beatty, Steven Bunnell, Hiram Fuller, C. B. Parker, and Thomas McCrea. Verdict: not guilty.

Inquest held in Summerhill Twp. 19 May 1854 re [Mrs.] Polly McGuire: see CCG 2(1979):13.

Ct.QS #35 August Session 1856 Inquest held in the Jail in Meadville re William H. Roff, then and there dead, found dead in said Jail 28 May 1856, before Ashbel Clark, J.P., with jurors Dr Alexr Thompson, Michael Hickman [signed M Hickman], Wm H. Davis, Jos. C. Hays [signed J. C. Hays], John Mahoney, Sidna Colt, Bailey Courtney [signed B Courtney], Archd Stewart signed A. F. Stewart), H. B. Balch, C. W. Mead, Thomas Braggins, and John Lattimer, who find “that the aforesaid Wm H. Roff being a prisoner in said jail, & under sentence to the penitentiary, came to his death by hanging himself with his own handkerchief in his own room in said jail during the night of the 27th inst. And the Inquest aforesaid do further say that the treatment of the Officers of the law, & of the Sheriff & Jailer, of the said Wm H. Roff was of the most judicious kind & that in a letter left by himself he so expressed. his wish The Inquest further say that the said Wm H. Roff, was laboring under a bodily disease (Chorrea[?]) which probably caused a state of excitement of the mind inconsistent with sanity.” Approved 15 Aug. 1856, adjudged that there was probable cause for holding the inquest and county ordered to pay the cost.

Crawford Democrat 3 June 1856, p. 2, col. 1: “Adjourned Court of Quarter Sessions … In the case of William H. Roff, who plead guilty at the last term to firing the barns of the Reed family in Mead twp., the court sentenced him to one year imprisonment in the Penitentiary on each indictment.” Ibid., col. 3: “Suicide in the County Jail. Wm. Roff, the unfortunate man who was sentenced by the court last week for burning the barns of the Reed family, (to which he was connected by marriage,) committed suicide in the jail on the night he received his sentence. He was found on Wednesday morning, suspended by the neck to a piece of board inserted in a crack in the wall of the room. He left several letters in the room, one of them directed to the Sheriff, in which he directed his property to be given to his little boys, and asking his sisters and children to forgive him, attributing his rash act to ‘trouble.’”

Ct.QS November Session 1857 Inquest held in the North Ward of the Borough of Meadville 17 Nov. 1857 before William D Tucker, J.P., re a male infant child [an infant born of the body of Eliza Quail per cover], with jurors Thomas Clemson, Wm M Barron, Andrew Platt, Mandus Addle [signed A M Addle], J C Marcy [signed J Clifton Marcy], and W H Doughty, who find “that the said infant child aforesaid was born on the body of Miss Eliza Quail of Meadville on the night of the 16th Nov. or morning of the 17th November instant, that said child was born at the out house on the premises of Harper Mitchel in said Borough where it was found, or in the room where said Eliza lodged, and by her carried and thrown out where it was found, that said Eliza is a single woman never having been married. And the jurors aforesaid do further say upon the evidence of a post mortem examination had upon the body of said infant, that it had been alive the lungs having been inflated, but whether it ceased to breathe before it was entirely seperated from its mother, or afterwards, we cannot determine. [¶]And the jurors aforesaid so say upon their oaths that they are not able to determine the particular cause of the death of said child, it may have died during the process of its birth, or it may have been abandoned and left to perish, or have died from other causes unknown to the jury. It was a large full grown child and had been breathing during its birth or after being born, and there is every reason to believe might have been saved alive with proper care and attention.” Filed 19 Nov. 1857; on examination the Court deem the Inquisition proper & necessary 21 Nov. 1857.

Ct.QS November Session 1857 Inquest held at the house of James Hannah in the Borough of Meadville 5 Dec. 1857 before A Clark, J.P., re Daniel Feit, then and there lying dead, with jurors J C Hayes, James H Gibson, A M Dunham, Hiram Norton, A Bloom, and Isaac Blystone, who find “that the said Daniel Feit came to his death from congestion of the brain occasioned by drinking to excess of spiritous liquor.” The Court adjudge that there was reasonable cause for holding the within inquest & approve of the same 18 Jan. 1858.

Ct.QS #11 August Session 1858 Inquest held at Evansburg [Conneaut Lake] 15 April 1858 before Thos. P Breakiron, J.P., re Hugh Shellito [Sr.] then and there lying dead, with jurors J. J. Barber [signed Jas J. Barber], Thomas Sergant [signed Thos Sergeant], R A Stratton, J. T. Miller, Robert Dennis [signed R. J. Dennis], John S Kean [signed J. S. Kean], Enos Graham, Cyrus Carman, T. J. Moffitt [signed T J Moffit], Rice Hotchkiss, Robert Scott 2d., and F. H. Cook, who find “that one Hugh Shellito Jr of Sadsbury Township in said county, not having the fear of God before his eyes but being moved and seduced by the instigation of the Devil on the first day of April A.D. 1858, at ten oclock in the after noon of that day, with force and arms at the house of Hugh Shellito, Sen Decd in and upon the aforesaid Hugh Shellito then and there being in the Peace of God and of the said Commonwealth, feloniously made an assault and that the aforesaid Hugh Shellito Jr then and there with an instrument unknown to the Jury with which the said Hugh Shellito Jr struck Hugh Shellito Sen Decd a blow causing the death of the said Hugh Shellito Sen Decd and further moore [sic] the Jurors aforesaid upon their oath aforesaid do say, that the said Hugh Shellito Jr, had not nor yet hath any goods or chattels lands or tenements, within the County aforesaid or elsewhere to the knowledge of the Jurors.” Transcript from the docket of Justice Breakiron states: “Doctars J. G. Hitchcok and Alexander Thompson, were cald who held a post-mortum examination upon the said dead boddy in presence of the said Jury.” “Evidence before the inquest sitting upon the body of Hugh Shellito Taken April 15 1858: [¶]Ann Shellito sworn saith, she was not present at the time Hugh Shellito was hurt, that he was in bed when she arrived at this house, he complained very much of the cramp, she arrived at his house about 3 oclock P.M. and he died, about dusk the same day, that he told her that he had fallen on the stove, and cut or bruised his face. George Shellito sworn saith, that on Friday the second day of April inst, Hugh Shellito Jr son of Hugh Shellito Decd told this deponant that his father and mother got into a fuss of jawing after they were in bed, and that him, Hugh Shellito Jr, and William Edward Shellito got up out of bed to see what the matter was, and that his father got very angry at him, Hugh Shellito Jr and drew a chain at him, and that he also drew a chain at his father, and that William Edward Shellito got the chains away from both of them, and that he, Hugh Shellito Jr, took the table slide from under the leaf of the table and struck his father with it one or twice, and broke it in two; and then left the house, that his father then followed him to the door threatening to shoot him, and when his father stuck his head out of the door that he struck his father with a stick, and knocked him back against the stove or under the stove. deponant saith that he saw the Decd after he was dead, the next morning, that he looked very bad. [¶]Esther Shellito sworn saith, that she is the wife or widow of Decd, that on Thursday the first day of April inst, about sundown of that day, she went to her house from the Sugar Camp, and that her husband and William E Shellito were playing cards, and that about ten oclock at night of that day, her husband and son Hugh got into a wrangle, and each drew a chain at the other, that her son Hugh took the slide of the table and struck at his father with it twice, dont know whether he hit his father with it or struck the chain, that her husband then started to go to the other room to get the gun and brought the gun out, and went to the door and tried to get out of the house with it, that after her son had struck his father with the table slide that Wm. E. Shellito had put her son out of the house, while her husband was gone after the gun, that Wm. E Shellito also took the gun from her husband, and that her husband then opened the door, and the next that she saw of her husband he had fallen on the floor by the stove, that her husband first drew a chain at her son. [¶]Dr Thompson sworn saith that upon a post-mortim examination of the head of Hugh Shellito this day taken and made in the presence of the jury, he found several bruises upon his head, one on the right side of the head above the ear, also a bruise running from the top of the head back to the base of the skull or neck, and also an incission of the scalp, and fracture of the skull, on the left side of the head, running from forward of the ear, back and down to the base of the scull, some four or five inches in length, and also in other directions, thinks that the bruises were not sufficient to cause death, that the fracture of the scull was sufficient to cause death. [¶]Dr. Hitchcock sworn saith that he assisted Dr. Thompson in the post-mortim examination, and coroborates the statements of Dr. Thompson. [¶]Robert Shellito sworn saith that he was present when Hugh Shellito Jr was relating the manner of the disturbance between him and his father, and that he coroborates the testimony of George Shellito.” Examined by Court and Inquest deemed necessary, legal expenses to be paid by County, 25 May 1858.

Register’s Dk. 2: 288: letters of administration issued on the estate of Hugh Shellito, late of Sadsbury Twp., decd., issued 21 Dec. 1859 to Ester Shellito, widow of decd.; $300 bond posted with Charles Shellito and [blank] as sureties.

Orphans Ct. Dk. E: 283 (#16 April Term 1858, guardianship petition filed by Hugh Shellito as a minor above the age of 14; Charles Eyre appointed 21 May 1858), E: 294 (#22 April Term 1858, petition for sale of real estate filed by C S Eyre, guardian of Hugh Shellito), E: 336 (#14 Nov. Term 1858, guardianship petition filed by Robert Shellito for “James John and Nancy Ann Shellito minor children of Hugh Shellito decd. … all under the age of 14”; James S. Shellito appointed 19 Nov. 1858 and posts $200 bond with Robert Shellito as surety), K: 605 (#32 Nov. Term 1877, petition for partition of real estate filed by Nancy Ann Shellito, “owner of the undivided _ of a certain piece of land in Sadsbury Township which she holds as one the children of Hugh Shellito decd. under the last will and testament of James Shellito decd. in which last will the said real estate is devised as follows, ‘The place that my son Hugh lives upon I will and bequeath to the use of his family he can have it as long as he sees fit to live upon it’, that the said Hugh Shellito died on the second day of April AD 1858 intestate leaving to survive him a widow Esther Shellito and seven chidren namely Robert, Mary Jane, Charles, Hugh, James, John and your petitioner; that the said Charles Shellito has bought the interest of the all the other children”; inquest to make partition awarded 14 Dec. 1877).

Ct.QS #11 Aug. Session 1858: Hugh Shellito, Jr., yeoman, indicted (on presentment of a coroner’s inquest) for the murder of Hugh Shellito senior; witnesses were Dr. J. G. Hitchcock, Dr. A. Thompson, Enos Graham, H. G. Mackay, Asa G. Nichols, Thos. P. Breakiron, Alvin Congdon, Geo. Shellito, Robert Shellito, Esther Shellito, and F. M. Cook. Testimony of Esther Shellito, Charles Shellito, Levi B Wiser, Ann Shellito (“mother of the deceased”), Asa G Nichols, O F Conden, Alvin Conden, and Andrew Findley filed. Verdict: guilty of voluntary manslaughter. Motion for new trial filed 12 Aug. 1858.

Crawford Journal 17 Aug. 1858, p. 3, col. 1, under Court Week: “Com. vs. Hugh Shellito, Jr., charged with the murder of his father. A true bill. Verdict, guilty of voluntary manslaughter. Sentenced to two years imprisonment at hard labor in Western Penitentiary, pay a fine of $10 and costs of prosecution.”

Ct.QS #57 November Session 1858 Inquest held at the premises of James V Price in Woodcock Twp. 26 Oct. 1858 before Jesse Wheelock, J.P., re Joseph W Bancroft, then and there lying dead, with jurors Wm R Rainey (foreman), James Greenlee, J. W. Lang, George Roudebush, Asa Gehr, Samuel Clark [signed Saml C Clark], A Rabel [signed Anthony Rabel], Amos Vanmarter [signed Amos VanMarter], John J Long, Michael Coy, Samuel Nodine, and Isaac W. Cummings [signed I. W. Cummings], who find “that the said Joseph W Bancraff on the 25th day of October in the year aforesaid, at the premises of James V Price, in the Township of Woodcock, County and State aforesaid, was found dead; that he had no marks of violence appearing on his body, and died by the visitation of God, in a natural way, and not otherwise.” Deemed necessary & proper 1 Nov. 1858.

Ct.QS #58 November Session 1858 Inquest held at Spring 2 Sept. 1858 before L K Chapman, J.P., re David Philips, then and there lying dead, with jurors E R Hall, Oliver Hall, C A Welch, G C Manville, Harry Pond, Wm Swap, A R Dauchy, A K Stone, O H Maxham, Hawley Dauchy [signed H Dauchy], J W Pond Jr, and H H King, who find “that the said David Philips on the first day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand & eight hundred & fifty eight at the eleventh hour of the night at Spring Tp aforesaid in the County aforesaid being on board of the Canal Boat 10 A. C. it so happened that casually accidentally & by mis-fortune he the said David Philips in passing from the stern to the bow of said boat fell into the water & then & there suffocated & drowned of which suffocation & drowning he the said David Philips then & there instantly died.” Approved in open court 19 Nov.1858.

Ct.QS August Session 1859 Inquest held at Athens 8 Sept. 1859 before Charles Loop, J.P., re Samuel Jackson “who was found in the waters of Muddy Creek in Athens Tp [today],” with jurors W M Jennings, Isaac Cummings, Emera Shepardson, Lewis Bloomfield, Hosea Southwick, Parley P Gray, George Fleek, H. T. Hutchison, Levi Southwick, P. Parkhurst, Hosea Southwick Jr., and Z M Griswold, who find “that the said Samuel Jackson came to his death the morning of this 8th day of September AD 1859 by accidental drowning in Muddy Creek in the Township of Athens immediately below the bridge on the State Road which crosses the said Creek.” Filed and approved in open Court 19 Nov. 1859.

Crawford Journal 13 Sept. 1859, p. 3, col. 2: “ Samuel Jackson of Riceville, in this County, was drowned in the creek of Little Cooley, on Wednesday night, the 7th inst.–He was intoxicated at the time, having been on a spree for about a week, and drowned in water but eighteen inches deep. The verdict of the Coroner’s Inquest was ‘death by accidental drowning.’ He was a merchant in Riceville.”

Ct.QS August Session 1859 Inquest held at Fairfield Twp. 26 Oct. 1859 before William Porter, J.P., re Michael Hull, then and there lying dead, late of Greenwood Twp., with jurors George Merriman, Adam Emrich, John Lytle, John Shaw, J. C. Merriman, Henry Hart, George Berrie, Hiram Woodworth, Robert Herrington, Jacob Sweetwood, Finney A Wightman, and S. B. Woodworth, who find “that the said Michael Hull on the twenty fourth day of October in the year aforesaid at the ‘Aqueduct’ in Fairfield tp said County, riding in the French Creek Feeder Canal upon a flat boat it so happened that accidentally, casually & by misfortune he the said Michael fell into said Canal & was in the water of the said Canal then & there suffocated & drowned, of which said suffocation & drowning he the said Michael Hull then & there instantly died.” Findings approved 7 Nov. 1859.

Crawford Journal 1 Nov. 1859, p. 3, col. 1: “On Wednesdy night last, a German, whose name we could not learn, was drowned near the Aqueduct. It appears that the deceased, with two other men, had come up during the day with a load of wood on a flat boat, to town, and having delivered the wood, got on a ‘bit of a spree.’ In the evening they started for home, and when they got to the Aque-duct, the deceased, who was sitting upon the bow of the boat, considerably intoxicated, fell overboard. His companions stopped the boat and searched for him, but the German could not be found. He was discovered under the flat boat the next morning–and dead, of course. Thus strychnine whisky gets the credit of another untimely death. The deceased man has, we understand, no relatives in this country.”

Ct.QS #45 February Session 1860 Inquest held at Mead Twp. 6 Feb. 1860 before Wm D Tucker, J.P., re Catharine [“Margaret” on cover] M Smith, then and there lying dead, with jurors John W Thompson [signed J. W. Thompson], Adam Beerbower, Adam Gumber, John Conrad, Josiah McNamara, and Jacob Beerbower [signed in German], who find “that she the said Catharine (wife of Frederick Smith of Mead Township aforesaid) did at the house of her said husband in said Township on the sixth day of February A D 1860 being there alone go into the garret, and then and there about nine o clock AM with a small rope fixed to a rafter at one end and the other end made into a noose around her neck did hang herself, voluntarily and feloniously and of malice aforethought, and there being so suspended did suffocate and die, and not otherwise.” Court approve the holding and return of this Inquest 15 Feb. 1860; certified to [county] commissioners 18 Feb. 1860.

Ct.QS #19 August Session 1860 Inquest held at the Poor House of the County of Crawford 6 Aug. 1860 before B. G. David, J.P., re Lewis Hope, with jurors Joseph W Scholl [signed Dr. Jos. W. Scholl], Wilson Hunter, Samuel Apple [signed Samuel S. Apple], Charles Hecker, D B Ernst and Edmund Schilling, six citizens of the Borough of Saegertown, who find “That haveing carefully examined the body of the said Lewis Hope, and haveing heard the testimony of Samuel Hunter, Joseph Brush, H M Long and Dr. Best, who were severally examined, by us, under oath, in presence of the dead body of the said Lewis Hope, do find, that the said Lewis Hope died on the fifth day of August AD 1860, from the effects of blows inflicted upon his head and other parts of his body, by James Garvy, with a piece of fence rail, or stake, on the fourth day of August AD 1860.” Court approves the holding of this inquest 30 Aug. 1860.

Crawford Journal 14 Aug. 1860, p. 3, col. 2: “Murder at the Poor House. [¶]One of the paupers at this Poor House, in this county, named LEWIS HOPE, was killed on Saturday, the 4th inst., by another named JAMES GARVEY, under the following circumstances. It seems a dispute arose between them at dinner time about some trivial matter. They had a scuffle, but were parted by Mr. LONG, the Supervisor, and each ordered to different places about the premises. GARVEY evinced such a dogged and malignant feeling that Mr. LONG kept a watch upon him for some time, and threatened to sent him to jail if he persisted in offering any further violence. Soon after GARVEY went up stairs and Mr. LONG thought the matter ended. Some time after a neighbor (Mr. HUNTER) was passing and heard a noise and blows about the barn and saw GARVEY strike HOPE with a rail. He jumped from his horse and gave the alarm, and was followed by Mr. LONG. They found HOPE much bruised and cut about the head, but still endeavoring to get up. GARVEY attempted to escape, but was secured with some difficulty by persons about the farm. HOPE was taken to this house and his wounds dressed by Dr. BEST, who at first did not think him seriously injured. He grew worse, however, and died the next day. [¶]An inquest was held on the body by B. G. DAVID, Esq., who summoned a jury for that purpose, when a verdict was found in accordance with the facts related. [¶]GARVEY is subject to epileptic fits, and, it is generally conceded, is not of very sound mind; although the circumstances of the case and the determined purpose he evinced in this matter, show that he has ‘method in his madness.’”

Court of Oyer & Terminer #19 Aug. Session 1860: James Garvy [elsewhere Garvey] yeoman, indicted for the murder of Lewis Hope with force and arms; scheduled witnesses were Samuel Hunter, Edward Bevilhamer, Joseph Braish [Brush?], B G David, Dr David Best, Dr Scholl, and H. M. Long.

Crawford Journal 21 Aug. 1860, p. 3, col. 1: “O’YER AND TERMINER.–Commonwealth vs. James Garvey, indicted for the murder of Lewis Hope, at the County Poor House. District Att’y for the Commonwealth, S. Newton Pettis for defence.–After hearing the testimony, the Court directed the finding of a verdict of ‘not guilty; on the ground of insanity.’ Garvey was then remanded to jail.”

Ct.QS November Session 1860 Inquest held at Lincolnville 21 Sept. 1860 before D D Walker, J.P., “(there being no officer or person of Coroner within ten miles or more from the place of viewing and finding said body),” re Andrew Suplee, then and there lying dead, with jurors Andrew J Suplee, Moses Adams, Hugh Graham, Samuel Porter, Nelson Waters, Charles Irons, and A H Eby, who find “that the said Andrew J Suplee came to his death on the night of the 20th September 1860 by accidental drow[n]ing in the Lincolnville Mill Pond in the Township of Bloomfield and county aforesaid. That his said death happened accidentally, casually and by misfortune.” Court adjudge there was reasonable grounds for the inquisition and approve the same 23 March 1860.

Ct.QS November Session 1860 Inquest held before V. G. Birchard, J.P., 9 Nov. 1860 re J. B. Montine [Montagne] of Randolph Twp., “he being found dead in his barn Nov 8th 1860,” with jurors Alixander Johnson [signed Alexander Johnson], David T. Hall, Joseph Doubet [signed J Doubet], Charles Arnold [signed Charles Arnould], Stephen Courtney [signed S. Courtney], C. M. Brawley, J. P. Monnin, Francis Monnin [signed Francois Monnin], Paul Girard [signed Paul Girad], Gustee Labardee [signed A. Barday], George Demason [signed George Demaison J.], and Milten Prenat [signed M Prenatt], and “with no other person present,” who find “that the above J B Montine by came to his death by shooting himself in his own barn November the 8th 1860.” Court approve the finding 12 Nov. 1860.

Crawford Journal 13 Nov. 1860, p. 3, col. 2: “SUICIDE.–John B. Montaine, a Frenchman, residing at the French settlement, committed suicide last week by blowing his brains out with a pistol. He com-mitted the act in his barn where he was found dead soon after. No cause is assigned for the rash act.”

See Deed Bk. E-4: 494, J B Montagne’s heirs, land “devised to Catharine Montagne during her lifetime.”

Ct.QS April Session 1861 Inquest held at the Borough of Titusville 26 and 27 Feb. 1861 before E H Chase, J.P., “the body over which the inquery was to be made being more than ten miles from the office of the proper Corroner of the County,” re “one Chandler Shipman who died suddenly and under suspicious circumstances in a drinking saloon in the Borough of Titusville,” with jurors Doct F B Brewer, Caleb O Childs [signed C O Childs], Saml Wise [signed S H Wise], D. S. Weed, T D Allen [signed Truman D Allen], Jas McCombs, Doct Wm M Jennings, D H Whitney, P. T. Withrup [signed P T. Witherop], C. C. Adams, David Crossley [signed D Crossley], and G B Hammer; on 26 Feb., “Wm P Gray, Asa Field and J H Groves were duly sworn as Witnesses and after examining the body and hearing the evidence the Jury adjourned to meet at the office of E H Chase at 8 oClock AM on the 27th to hear further testimony the body to remain unintered”; on 27 Feb., “Jury meet at the office of E H Chase at 8 oClock AM, one of the Jurors being absent adjourned to meet same day at 7 o.c. still at the office of E H Chase; the Jury reassemble according to adjournment,” and “come to the conclusion that Chandler Shipman came to his death by disease induced by the immoderate use of spiritous liquor obtained at the saloon where he died and other places not known to the Jury and so we find.” The Court adjudge there was reasonable cause for holding this inquest and approve the same 1 April 1861.

Ct.QS #68 August Term 1861 Inquest held at the house of Henry Brown in Sadsbury Vernon Twp. 19 May 1861 before J J Montgomery, “the nearest” J.P., re Cornelius Derr “late of Easton Northampton Co Penna and more recently of Meadville Pa,” then and there lying dead, with jurors T J Moffit, H G McKay, Chas Magill, A N McKay, Wilson Brown, F C Rich, J C Freeland, A R Stewart, John Shontz, Robt H McKay [signed R H McKay], S J Brown, and P Redemoyer [signed P Rodemoyer], who find “that the said Cornelius Derr on the morning of the 19th of May in the year afore said in the county afore said in the house of Henry Brown of Vernon township came to his death by some cause unknown to the jury.” Justice Montgomery certifies “that J G Hitchcock MD of the Boro of Evansburg assisted by Alex Thompson MD of Meadville were called upon by me to make a post mortem examination of the body of the deceased C Derr.” Approved 13 Aug. 1861.

Ct.QS February Session 1862 Inquest held re Mrs Sabra Wittum at her late residence in Cambridge Twp. 16 Dec. 1861 before J. E. Howard, J.P., with jurors A. B. Ross, Z. H. Burt, N. L. Snow, P. K. Carroll, J. H. Blystone, John Ross, J. W. McFadden, A. O. Rockwell, R L Patterson, Beals Root [signed S. B. Root], Amos Kelly, and D. C. Root [signed Daniel C. Root], who find “that one Sabra Wittum late of Cambridge Township and County aforesaid, lady, came to her death by an excessive hemorage resulting from an abortion, produced mechanically by her own hands.” Transcript from the docket of Justice Howard indicates that Mrs. Wittum “died very sudenly and misterious on Sunday, the 15th day of Dec 1861 … the body was examined by A Logan, W M Johnson, J M Gray, W. Greenfield physicians.” Testimony of witnesses taken at the house of N L Snow in Cambridge Twp. 16 Dec. 1861: J M Gray, “[when Mr Wittim asked for medicine for her,] the reason offered was that she was so very sick at the time her first child was born; I told him the circumstances would not justify, that she had lived once and the child and might again … the 15th day of Dec Mr Carroll came to my house about ¼ past 2 oclock in the morning and wanted me to go to Wittims for Wittims wife was sick; I went; when I went in Mrs Snow Mrs Carroll and Mr Wittum was there they told me I had come to[o] late for she was dead”; Asa Beedy; John Wittum, “says that Sabra Wittim is his wife, her health has always been poor, that she was in family way”; Mrs P A Howard, “heard Mrs Gardner the mother of the deseased say about one year ago that Mr Wittim should never have another child”; Mrs Elen Fuller, “heard Mrs Gardner say the same as Mrs Howard”; Mrs Eunice Decker, “heard Mrs Gardner say she was afraid that Mrs Wittim her daugher was in family way, if she was by gracious she would knock it out of her”; and Mrs R J Snow. The Court adjudge that no necessity existed for holding the within inquisition, and that the same is informal and therefore disapprove the same 13 Feb. 1862.

Ct.QS February Session 1862 Inquisition of murder held in the Borough of Riceville re “a male child found in Oil Creek in said Borough January 24^th AD 1862,” before D. D. Walker, J.P., with jurors R. McLelon [signed R McLellan Jr], A H Eby, J C Patterson [signed J C Pattison], Eli Griffith, and E M Farington, who find that “the child came to its death by intentional strangulation by person or persons to the Jurors unknown.”
On cover: “The Court adjudge there was sufficient cause for holding the within inquest and approve the same” 10 Feb. 1862.

Ct.QS #50 August Session 1862 Inquest held at the bank of French Creek on the land of A Mook in Hayfield Twp. 10 June 1862 re “a man, name unknown, aged about thirty years, with brown hair inclining to sandy, height about five feet six inches, dressed in check shirts & blue drilling pants, and found floating in French Creek near the shore at the land of the said A Mook,” before B. G. David, J.P., with jurors Daniel Kern, Fredk Hickernell, Jas B Lewis, L K Stem, Adam Rittmire [signed A. Rittmayer], and Wilson Hunter, six freeholders of said County, who “certify that the said above described unknown man ~~came to his~~ died by accidental drowning.” Finding approved 12 Aug. 1862.

Crawford Journal 17 June 1862, p. 3, col. 1: “A MAN, name unknown, was found drowned at French Creek, a short distance above Saegertown, on the 10th instant. He appeared to be about 30 years of age, was 5 feet 10 inches in hight, with brown hair inclining to sandy. When found he had on a check shirt and gray woolen vest. His pantaloons, which were of blue drilling, were found in the water near him, and had evidently been taken off, either for the purpose of being washed, or preparatory to bathing. From all the indications he had been in the water but a short time. The supposition is that he was an Irish laborer. An inquest was held by B. G. DAVID, Esq., and a verdict rendered of accidental drowning.”

Ct.QS #51 August Session 1862 Inquest held at Lock fifteen on the Erie Extention P^a Canal in Summerhill Twp. 28 April 1862 re James Gleason [“Gleeson” on cover], then and there lying dead, before H. J. Cooper, J.P., with jurors S S McDowell, James McDowell Jr, James Jolly [signed J J Jolly], Joseph Vanasdule [signed Jo van nosdall], Allexander McDowell [signed Alexander McDowell], Henry Luke, S Peters, A D Davenport, James Wengard [signed James Winger], Joseph Walker [signed J Walker], A Coburn, and James Wentworth [signed James M Wentworth], who find “that on the 27^th instant about 9 Oclock PM the said James Gleason at the Township aforesaid in attempting to fil said Lock it so hapened, that accidentally, casually, and by misfortune he the said James Gleason was in the water of the said Lock then and there suffocated and drowned; of which said suffocation and drowning he, the said James Gleason then and there instantly died.” Approved 12 Aug. 1862.

Ct.QS #52 August Session 1862 Inquest held at Cambridge 4 May 1862 re “an Irishman name unknown found in French Creek near Cambridge,” before G. H. Blystone, J.P., with jurors S. R. Jackson, G A Langley, T. L. Barber, R. R. Snow, Alaxander Hoig [signed Alexr Hoig] and L. L. Lippitt, who find that he “came to his death by accidentally drowning himself, while in a state of insanity, in attempting to cross said creek by swimming near said village of Cambridge And moreover, the jurors aforesaid, upon their oath aforesaid do believe that the said man has not any goods or chattels lands or tenements within the County aforesaid or elsewhere to the knowledge of the said Jurors.” Physicians’ certificate: “This is to certify that we have made a Post Mortem examination in the case of a man who was drowned in French Creek this day (May 4th) & find no particular marks of recent violence, & find the evidence of a former fracture of the radius near the lower third of the left arm also a dislocation of the metacarpal joint of the index finger of the same hand, his height is about five feet, seven inches, dark complixion, irregular front teeth on upper jaw, light gray eyes, about thirty years of age, with no other particular marks”; signed J. H. Gray M.D., W. Greenfield M.D.; [written in pencil: Dress, blue stripe undershirt, wove worsted wrapper, black or brown cotton velvet vest, also black, figured ~~silk~~ satin vest, jean frock coat, also a tweed outside coat[,] doe skin pants, blue cotton over hauls, cotton socks, new brogan shoes, a worsted neck tie & cloth cap, nothing in the pockets but a copper, some strings, a coarse & fine comb, & some grass.” Bill of costs shows John Ross, $3.00 for coffin; W^m Curl, $1.00 for digging grave; and witnesses Z. H. Burt, William Curl, B. K. Hicks, James N Snow, and Albert Siverling. Finding approved 14 Aug. 1862.

Crawford Journal 13 May 1862, p. 3, col. 2: “AN Irishman–name unknown–drowned himself under the bridge over French Creek at Cambridge, on Sunday, the 5th inst. From his strange conduct previous to committing the act he is supposed to have been insane. He was apparently about 30 years of age. An inquest was held and a verdict given in accordance with such facts as could be ascertained. No person in the neighborhood knew him. It is supposed that he was on his way to this place seeking employment on the railroad. He was removed from the creek during the day some distance below Cambridge, and he stated that he came from New York and was looking in the water for a boy that was drowned, according to his incoherent statements, from one of the bridges in that city (New York). After being brought back to town he walked about a short time and was seen to go to the creek and jump in. His body was recovered in a few minutes, but all efforts to resuscitate him proved unavailing.”

Ct.QS November Session 1862 Inquest held at Sadsbury Twp. Friday, 31 Oct. 1862 re a person unknown, then and there lying dead, before Jno. Irwin, J.P. “Sadsbury East Fallowfield T[w]p.,” with jurors J. N. Hitchcok [signed J. N. Hitchcock] (foreman), S. A. Henry [signed Sam. A. Henry], R. Martin [not signing; instead, John B Henry], Wm. Robinson (foreman), C. Waid [signed Cleaveland Wade], and J. Hazen [signed Jasper Hazen], who find “that one (name unknown) and that the said unknown person after hearing the testimony came to his death in following manner. The said (unknown) got on board canal boat Daniel O’Connor, Capt Bradley, at the lock at Hartstown stating he was going to Conneautville or Erie, and that he was a carriage triman[?] by trade, and was in search of work. And that the said (name unknown) when about two mil[e]s above Hartsto[w]n on Erie Canal, fell over-board, and it so happened, that accidently, cau[s]ually, and by misfortune, he the said (unknown) was in the water of the said Canal, then and there suffocated and drowned; of which said suffocation and drowning he the said (unknown) then and there instantly died.” Bill of costs shows James Baird, $4 for coffin; Jno. Sippey & Hitchcock, $2 for digging grave; J. N. Hitchcock, $1 for wagon; J. C C Brooks, $5 for “House[?] and taking care of body, etc.” “Court approve the holding of the inquest” 12 Nov. 1862.

Ct.QS February Session 1863 Inquest held at the house of Jacob Musrush, East Fallowfield Township, 12 Dec. 1862 re James Conner, then and there lying dead, before Jno. Irwin, J.P., with jurors Jas. S. Shellito (foreman), Thos Doud [signed Thomas Dowd], Wm Brown, Chas Stewart, M. W. S. Musrush [signed M. W. S. Mushrush], and Wallace Bratton [signed Wallace Brattn], who find “that the said James Conner on the 11 day of Dec. AD. 1862, at the Township of East Fallowfield and in the County aforesaid, came to his death in consequence of drinking too much liquor, of which said drinking he the said James Conner died, and so the Jurors aforesaid do say came to his death and not otherwise. And the Jurors aforesaid upon their oaths aforesaid, do say that the said James Conner at the time of his death, had goods and chattles contained in the annexed inventory to this Inquisition [missing].” Approved 13 Feb. 1863.

Ct.QS February Session 1863 Inquest held at the house of Jno. C. Jackson, East Fallowfield Twp., 25 Dec. 1862 re Patrick Scanlin, then and there lying dead, before Jno Irwin, J.P., with jurors Abner Frame [signed A. Frame] (foreman), Jno C. Jackson, J. F Clark, Henry Garwood [signed H Garwood], Wm. McKelvy, and David M. Calvin [signed D. M. Calvin], who find “that the said Patrick Scanlin, on the night of the 24th day of December AD. 1862, at the Township of East Fallowfield and County aforesaid, came to his death in consequence of falling from a bridge on the A & G.W. Rail Road, being a distance of about 35 ft of which the said falling and injuries received by reason of said fall, he the said Patrick Scanlin died.” Finding approved 13 Feb. 1863.

Ct.QS February Session 1863 Inquest held at Wayne Twp. 30 Dec. 1862 re James Hineman, then and there hanging dead, before J. D. Work, J.P., with jurors B. J. Tingley (foreman), Robert Heath, Josiah Hoffman, D P Hoffman [signed Daniel P Hoffman], David Woods, Joseph Shaffer [signed in German, Joseph Schaffer], Joseph Dennington, Jonathan Waldo, Thomas Cussins, Daniel Tingley, Jacob Reese, and Daniel Resinger [signed Daniel Rissinger], who find “that the said James Hineman not having God before his eyes but being seduced & moved by the instigation of the Devil at the Township aforesaid in his own barn the said James Hineman being then & there alone with a certain rope or cord of the value of ten cents which he then & there had, then and there held in his hands and one end thereof then & there put about his neck & the other end thereof tied about a beam of said barn himself then & there with the cord or rope aforesaid voluntarily & feloniously and of his malise [a]forethought hanged & suffocated and so the Jurors aforesaid upon their oath aforesaid say that the said James Hineman then & there in manner aforesaid as a felon of himself feloniously voluntarily and of his malice forethought himself killed strangled & murdered.” Finding approved 12 Feb. 1863.

Reg.Dk. 2:432: letters of administration on the estate of James Hineman, late of Wayne Twp., decd., issued 23 Jan. 1863 to B. J. Tingley, upon renunciation of Mary Ann Hineman (widow); $500 bond posted with Daniel Tingley and Joseph Wagner as sureties; $519.00 inventory and sale list filed 14 Feb. 1863; account filed 24 March 1869, balance $60.42.

Ct.QS February Session 1863 Inquest held at Cambridge 15 Jan. 1863 re Alfred Bessell, then and there lying dead, before J. H. Blystone, J.P., with jurors A. B. Ross, L. L. Lippit [signed L. L. Lippitt], Cyrus Mancefield [signed Cyrus Mansfield], Alexander Hoig, Z. H. Burt, and F. A. Nichols, who find “that Alfred Bessell came to an accidental death on the Atlantic and Great Western Rail way at Cambridge Crawford County Penna by being run over by three platform cars and engine No 28 on the day and date first above written, no blame whatever being attached to the engineer. And more over, the Jurors afore said, upon their oath and affirmation aforesaid do say, that the said Alfred Bessell had not nor has not any of them had, nor as yet have or hath any goods or chattles, lands or tenements, within the County afore said or else where to the knowledge of the said Jurors.” Bill of costs shows eight [unnamed] witnesses summoned. Finding approved 12 Feb. 1863.

Ct.QS February Session 1863 Inquest held at Cambridge 16 Jan. 1863 re W. W. Perkins “found dead lying by the roadside near the premises of W^m Sitler near by the village of Cambridge,” before J. H. Blystone, J.P., with jurors A. B. Ross, L. L. Lippitt, Alaxander Hoig [signed Alexander Hoig], Z. H. Burt, G. D. Humes [signed Geo. D. Humes], and F. A. Nichols, who “find that the deceased W. W. Perkins late of Cambridge, County aforesaid came to his death from a cause to us unknown. And moreover, the jurors aforesaid, upon their oath do say that the said W. W. Perkins had not nor as yet have or hath any goods or chattles, lands or tenements within the County aforesaid, or elsewhere to the knowledge of the said jurors.” Bill of costs shows 14 [unnamed] witnesses summoned. Finding approved 12 Feb. 1863.

Ct.QS April Session 1863 Inquest held at Meadville at the office of J. H. Lewis, Esq., 11 April 1863 re an infant (unknown) then and there lying dead [“Child found Dead in Meadville” on cover], before J. H. Lewis, J.P., with jurors C. W. Mead (foreman), James Burchfield, Frank Rich [signed F C Rich], A. C. Benjamin, Thos N. Brooks, and Saml Clark [signed S J Clark], who find “that the said infant had not came to an age of viotillity, & that in conse¬quence of an accident to the Jurors unknown said infant died before birth.” Bill of costs filed by John C. Cotton for 11 April 1863 post mortem examination. “Approved, but not as to the costs, leaving them for the Commissioners to determine,” 18 April 1863.

Crawford Journal 21 April 1863, p. 3, col. 2: “A DEAD Infant was discovered in the old grave yard a few days ago. Drs. COTTON and CALVIN made an examination and decided that the child was still born, and a Coroner’s Jury rendered a verdict accordingly. Since the inquest the mother of the child has been discovered.”

Ct.QS August Session 1863 Inquest held at the Farm of Joseph Sammel in Woodcock Twp. 29 May 1863 re David Bradrick “who was found dead and lying upon the rail road near the premises of the said Joseph Sammel,” before B G David, J.P., with jurors Joseph Sammel, Jonathan Moyer, Butler Campbell, David McGill, Jacob Shoppart, and George Miller [signed by B. G. David only], who “find that the said David Bradrick while lying upon the rail road, at the place afforesaid, in a state of intoxication, on the night of the 28th day of May 1863, was killed by being run over by the cars.” Finding approved 10 Aug. 1863.

Ct.QS August Session 1863 Inquest held at Titusville 20 Sept. 1863 re John O Harra [“O Hara” on cover], then and there lying dead, before E H Chase, J.P., with jurors S S Richards [signed S. Richards], A Strousberger [signed A. Strasburger], J R Hubbard, D K Williams, Lyman Richards [signed L. M. Richards], C L Maltby, M M Davis, D. C. Thompson, J D Sperry, J H King, D. C. Clark, and T E Curtice [signed T. E. Curtiss], who find “that the said John O Harra was found in the reservoir or pond of water a few feet above the Titusville Flowering Mill in the Borough of Titusville in the County of Crawford and so the Jurors aforesaid do say that the said John O Harra came to his death by accidental drowning and not otherwise.” “Money and other property found on the deceased when taken charge of by the Justice acting as Coroner and now in the possession of E H Chase to wit: Bank notes, $122.00; Golds, 50.00; silver, $1.25 [total] $173.25; one promisory note executed by James Waugh for one hundred dollars with endor[s]ements of Forty three dollars; one pocket book; 2 pocket knives; 1 pr spectacles; 1 key; 1 pocket hadkf.” Approved 6 Oct. 1863, “C. H. Chase to pay the expenses of inquest & burial out of funds found on body of decd.”

Register’s Dk. 2:475: letters of administration on the estate of John OHara, late of Crawford Co., decd., issued 28 Sept. 1863 to David Keck; $1000 bond posted with John T. Ray and G E Lashells as surety; $204.65 inventory filed 27 Nov. 1863.

Ct.QS November Session 1863 [Transcript of proceedings, certified 22 Oct. 1863:] Inquest held at the Crawford Hotel in the Borough of Meadville 20 Aug. 1863 upon the body of Francis Warn, there lying dead, before A Clark, J.P., with jurors J C Marcey, A S Davis, J P Hasler, A B Roberts, M S Andrews, and J C McGranahan, who find “that the said Francis Warn on the 20 day of August 1863 at Meadville in the County afore said at the Crawford Hotel and County of Crawford and in the place heretofore psoken [sic] off was found dead and that he had no mark of violence appearing upon him or upon his person and the Jurors do say that the said Francis Warn came to his death by the visitation of God and not other wise.” Finding approved 11 Nov. 1863.

Crawford Journal 1 Sept. 1863, p. 3, col. 2: “FRANCIS WARN, a young man from Richmond township, dropped dead at the Crawford Hotel on the 21st ult. The draft is supposed to have been the exciting cause of his death.”

Ct.QS November Session 1863 Inquest held at the house of Rufus T Green in the Borough of Meadville 23 Aug. 1863 re Rufus S Green, then and there lying dead, before A Clark, J.P., with jurors [no signatures] James H Lewis (foreman), Joseph Scowden, Isaac Myers, Christian Haas, Thomas Wilson, and Philip Harkins, who find “that the said Rufus T Green on the twenty third day of August 1863 at Meadville and County aforesaid came to his death by accidentily accidentally falling from the porch of his residence which produced concussion of the brain and other injuries from which he died.” Finding approved 11 Nov. 1863.

Ct.QS November Session 1863 Inquest held at Meadville 26 Oct. 1863 re John Nesson, then and there lying dead, before Jas H Lewis, J.P., with jurors B B Cummings, J C Cotton [signed John C. Cotton], Thos Braggins, George Sitman [signed Geo Sidman], A. S. Davis, and A Lewis, who find that “the said John Nesson, on 26th day of October in the morning about five oclock in the year aforesaid and in the county aforesaid to wit in the Borough of Meadville was found dead in his bed and that he had no marks of violence appearing about his body, believe that he died by the visitation of God in a natural way and not otherwise.” Bill of costs shows six [unnamed] witnesses qualified. Finding approved 11 Nov. 1863.

Ct.QS November Session 1863 Inquest held at the house of John Rice in Meadville 15 Nov. 1863 re John Meiers, then and there lying dead, before C. M. Boush, J.P., with jurors A. P. Ingraham, A. Orris, P. A. Affentranger [signed P. A. Affantranger], Th. Fields [signed Thomas Fields], H. Hemler, and F. A. Blystone, who find “that the said John Meiers came to his death in the night of the 14th to the 15th of November 1863 by Hemorrhage, while under the influence of liquor.” Bill of costs shows $5 for Dr. J. C. Cotton. “Finding approved of without saying anything about the costs” 17 Nov. 1863.

Ct.QS April Session 1864 Inquest held at Cambridge 29 Nov. 1863 re Mrs Mary Ann Peete [elsewhere Pete], then and there lying dead, before J. H. Blystone, J.P., with jurors Hiram Isherwood [signed H. A. Isherwood], Mathew Hodges [signed M. S. Hodges], James Burdick [signed J Burdick], Henry Burdick [signed H E Burdick], Z. H. Burt, and F. Chapin [signed F C. Chapin], who find “that not having the fear of God before her eyes, but being seduced and moved by the instigation of the devil, at the house of Perry Durham in the town county & state aforesaid in a certain room by herself being then and there alone, with a certain skane of yarn, which she then and there had and held in her hands and one end thereof then and there put about her neck, and the other end thereof tied or wound around a bed post, herself then & there withe the skane aforesaid, volunterily & feloniously and of her malice aforethought, hanged & suffocated; and so the jurors aforesaid, upon their oath, say, that the said Mary Ann Pete then & there, in manner & form aforesaid as a felon of herself, feloniously, volunterily, and of malice aforethought herself killed, strangled, & murdered against the peace & dignity of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. And moreover the jurors aforesaid, upon their oath do say that the said Mary Ann Peter had not nor as yet has she any goods or chattles lands or tenements within the County aforesaid or elsewhere to the knowledge of the jurors aforesaid.” Bill of costs shows eight [unnamed] witnesses summoned and qualified. Filed 16 Feb. 1864; “finding approved of, without saying any thing of the costs,” 15 April 1864.

Ct.QS April Session 1864 Inquest held at the house of John Messeral Jr 29 March 1864 re John F. Shoemaker, decd, before Wm. F. McDill, J.P., with jurors C. M. Brawley, Lewis Nashet [signed Louis Nageotte], E. E. Wightman, H. J. Brawley [signed H S Brawley], Thomas M Boyd [signed Martin Boyd], and S. J. Daniels, who “find that the said John F Shoemaker came to his death by a blow struck on the head by Xavier Yoset on the night of the 27th of March 1864.” Examination: jurors “found a wound or fracture on the left side near the top of the head about four inches in length.”
Testimony: “John F Brown being sworn doth say that he saw Xavier Yoset strike John F Shoemake[r] on the head with a club or stick of wood between ele[ve]n and twelve oclock PM on the 27th of March 1864. Alexander Mentry sworn doth say that he saw Xavier Yoset come out of the house of Nicholas Wassa and pick up a stick of stove wood and go into the house of said Wassa and strike John F Shoemaker with it on the head this occured on the knight of the 27th of March 1864.”
Not approved, “it not appearing the Justice had jurisdiction nor that there was reasonable cause for holding the inquest,” 4 April 1865.

Ct.QS #5 April Session 1864 and Crawford Journal 5 April 1864, p. 3 col. 2: see CCG 16(1993):120.

Ct.QS August Session 1864 Inquest held at Steuben Twp. 17 Oct. 1863 re Joseph Town, then and there lying dead, before Philander Edson, J.P., with jurors Amos Wheeler, H C Rounds, G Hopkins, S Radle, L Wood, and J Wood, who find “that the said Joseph Town on the 17. day of October in the year aforesaid at Steuben and in the County aforesaid to wit in the Barn of the said ‘Joseph Town’ was found dead with a gun in his own hands and that he the said Joseph Town came to his death by the accidental discharge of the said gun while in his own hands as the Jurors verily beli[e]ve from the best evidence in the case.” Filed 25 May 1864; approved 13 Aug. 1864.

Register’s Dk. 2:480: letters of administration on the estate of Joseph Town late of Steuben Twp., decd., issued 27 Oct. 1863 to Sylvester Wilder, G. T. Churchill and Amanda M. Town; $1500 bond posted with Noah Town and E. W. Sellers as sureties; $1349.67 inventory filed 5 Dec. 1863; $1148.88 sale list filed 3 July 1865; final account filed 3 July 1865, balance $1009.63 “(disbursed to widow and heirs).”

See Orphans Court Dk. F:237, 240, 251, 294, 298 (##17, 18, 21, 29 Nov. Term 1883, 18 and 21 Feb. Term 1864): petitions for guardianship of the minor children and for sale of the real estate.

Ct.QS August Session 1864 Inquest held at Randolph Twp. 6 March 1864 re Isaac Childs, then and there lying dead, before P Edson [signed Philander Edson], J.P., with jurors E Spring, W P Cutchawl [signed W. P. Cutshall], Wm Hotchkiss, H B Wadsworth, H C Hotchkiss, and J L Barlow, who find that “the said Issac Childs on the 6th day of March in the year aforesaid at the Township of Randolph and County aforesaid to wit in the highway in front of his own dwelling was found dead that he had no marks of violence appearing about his person and died by the visitation of God in a natural way and not otherwise, and the said Issac Childs was worth property at the time of his death in the form of a Farm personal property &c.” Filed 25 May 1864; “should have been taken by the Coroner.”

Register’s Dk. 2:503: letters of administration on the estate of Isaac Childs, Sr., late of Randolph Twp., issued 9 March 1864 to E. Spring, upon renunciation of Augustus Childs; $2,500 bond posted with C Coburn and A Childs as sureties.
Orphans Court Dk. G:88 (Court grants leave to correct final account).

Ct.QS August Session 1864 Inquest held 7 Aug. 1864 re “the dead body of an unknown male person,” before T. J. Limber, Esqr, acting a[s] Coroner, with jurors Charles W Stewart [signed C. W Stuart], James Burchfield, A Blakeslee [signed Abraham Blakeslee], J. B. Gehr [signed John B Gehr], Thomas Wilson, and Jas W Farrelly, who find “that the aforesaid person is to us unknown as is also his occupation or place of abode that from the evidence before us we are firmly of the opinion that the aforesaid person came to his death accidently by being run over by a train of cars of the A&GW R R[?] Co some time during the last night, that the place where the same happened was near the canal bridge north of Meadville in Mead Township. They further represent that upon the testimony of J. C. C. Brooks that they believe that the said person was a lunatic, as he by his acts as observed on yesterday gave evidence of such a state of mind. They further say that the said person was bare footed and almost destitute of means he having but a five cent s—[?] upon his person, and no paper or papers whereby any clue to his identity could be obtained.” Filed 9 Aug. 1864; “not approved (there was a Corinor with[in] 10 miles).”

Ct.QS #40 November Session 1864 Bill of A M Gordon, “Coriner”: “Crawford County to A M Gordon Dr [debit] for holding In-quest on dead body of James Wood who died at the house of James J Marley in Fairfield Tp and was exhumed from the Conneaut burying [ground?] in said tp.” [no further details].

Register’s Dk. 2:544: letters of administration on the estate of James Wood, late of Conneaut Twp., decd., issued 17 Oct. 1864 to Mary Ann Newton; $500 bond posted with John Newton, Jr., and L B Howard as sureties; inventory filed 24 Oct. 1864.

Ct.QS November Session 1864 Inquest held at the late residence of Caleb Congden in W. Fallowfield Twp. 12 Sept. 1864 re Caleb Congden “who was found in dead in the Barn of G. W. Congden of same place on the eleventh day of September AD 1864,” before Saml Gordon, J.P. (“Being notifyed on Sunday the 11th day of September AD 1864 that Caleb Congden an aged citizen of West followfield Township had just been found suspended by the neck & dead in the barn of his sone G. W. Congden, & the Corener not residing within the distance that the Act of Assembly prescribes I had the body removed to his residence & on the 12th inst summoned a Jewry of six citizens & held an inquest”), with jurors William Kilpatrick, Alexdr McGregar, John Andrews, Thomas M. Baird, R. W. Davidson, B Trimble [Bennet Trimble per bill of costs], who, after examining “the following witnesses viz Saml Scott, Wm Parks, Premilla Spraig, J. R. Hutton, Dr J W Grier & G. W. Congden, … find that he was found suspended in sd barn by the neck by a roap attached to a joist[?] & from a careful examination of the s[t?]ate of his mind for some time past & the attending circumstances do render it as our verdict that the said Caleb Congden then & the[re?] did commit succide by hanging himself & that no other person is to blame in the least for said occurance.” Certified at Adamsville 12 Sept. 1864, “and that the sd Caleb Congden was not to my knowledge possessed of any property out of which said expenses could have been collected.” “Finding of inquest approved of (tho costs are wholly for the Commissioners)” 16 Nov. 1864.

Ct.QS November Session 1864 [Transcript certified at Randolph 14 Nov. 1864:] Inquest held at Randolph Twp. 21 Sept. 1864 re Francis Thompson “of Randolph Tp. … then and there hanging by the neck with a rope, dead,” before E Spring, J.P., with jurors W A Carpenter, C B Selew, Curtis Rodgers [the “d” in Rodgers added], W P Cutshall, Robert Barr, and Luke Hotchkiss, who find “that he came to his death by hanging him[s]elf by the neck with a rope.” Filed 21 Nov. 1864; “approved (but not as to the fees charged for inquest, the law making no provision therefor)” 22 Nov. 1864.

Crawford Journal 27 Sept. 1864, p. 3, col. 2: “Mr. Frank Thompson, of Randolph tp, committed suicide last Wednesday, by hanging himself. He had for some time been subject to fits of despondency, and the act is attributed to the disordered condition of his mind. He was about 37 years old.”

Reg.Dk. 2:551: letters of administration on the estate of Francis Thompson late of Randolph Twp. issued 5 Dec. 1864 to Harriet L. Thompson (widow); $4600 bond posted with S S Carrier and Robert Gage as sureties; $2,401 inventory filed 3 Jan. 1864; acct. filed 15 Jan. 1872 by G. Bentley, executor of the estate of H L Thompson, decd., balance $2353.95.

Ct.QS November Session 1864 Inquest held in Oil Creek Twp. 9 Nov. 1864 re [blank] Leech, then and there lying dead, before B S M’Allister, J.P. “(Cor[o]ner Ex officio),” with jurors O K Howe, Samuel Fertig [signed J S Fertig], Thom[a]s S Chase, J R Sodorus [signed J(?). R Sadorus], Frank Faulkner [signed F. W. Faulkner], and Miles F Rose, who find “that the said [blank] Leech on the eighth (8th) day of November 1864 at oil Creek Township and in the County afore-said to wit: in an old log cabin in an out of the way place, was found dead; that he had no mark of violence appearing about his body, and died by from exposure, and not otherwise.” Approved 16 Nov. 1864.

Ct.QS #29 February Session 1865 Inquest held at the house of Franklin Perry in Conneaut Twp. 8 Feb. 1865 re an infant child [Perry] of Franklin Perry and his wife Marth Perry, then and there lying dead, before H. J. Cooper, J.P., now acting coroner, with jurors Philip Robertson, H. D. Lowing, S P Wariner [signed S. P. Warriner], A M Barton, Hulbert Landon [signed H Landon] and F. A. Temple, who find “that the said Franklin Perry of said Township farmer on the 29th day of January last past at his house in the Township aforesaid at a late hour of the in the night of the same day with force and arms at his house aforesaid in and upon the aforesaid infant child then and there feloniously violently and of his malice aforethought made an assault; and that the aforesaid Franklin Perry then and there with a knife a pair of shears or some other sharp instrument in and upon the head of the said infant child then and there violently feloniously, voluntarily and of his malice aforethought pierced and made an incision in and upon the head of the said infant child with the sharp instrument aforesaid in and upon the head of the infant child aforesaid inflict one mortal wound of which wound the said infant then and there died.” Approved 14 Feb. 1865.

Ct.QS #30 February Session 1865 Inquest held at the house of Franklin Perry in Conneaut Twp. 8 Feb. 1865 re Franklin Perry, then and there lying dead, before H. J. Cooper, J.P., now acting coroner, with jurors Hulbert Landon [signed H Landon], H D Lowing, S. P. Wariner [signed S. P. Warriner], Luman Lawrence, Philip Robertson, and B Gehr, who find “that the said Franklin Perry not having the fear of god before his eyes but being seduced and moved by the instigation of the devil at his house in the township aforesaid being alone with a rope himself then and there with the rope aforesaid voluntarily and feloniously and of his malice aforethought hanged and sufocated and so the jurors aforesaid upon there oaths say that the said Franklin Perry then and there in manner and form aforesaid as a fellon of himself feloniously voluntarily and of his malice aforethought himself killed strangled and murdered.” Attached bill of costs: “Crawford County To F. W. Ellsworth Dr [debit] For Summoning Coroners Jury to hold inquest on the body of the child of Franklin Perry Feby. 7th 1865, $1.08; For Arresting Franklin Perry and holding him in custody, $3.00.” Approved 14 Feb. 1865.

Ct.QS February Session 1865 Inquest held 21 Feb. 1865 re Ellen Curry with jurors W. H. Smith, Z F Casterline[?], Thomas Ross, Wm Dickey, A L Confer, and John Clark, who “after hearing the statements of the 2 witnesses find that the said Ellen Curry came to her death by accidental burning.” “Statement of witnesses before Coroner in case of Ellen Curry Decd[:] [¶] John Clark being duly sworn says he noticed a shanty on fire got on his horse & succeeded in getting 2 children out, the other one he heard cough but could not get her out[.] Mrs Catharine Cury being sworn says she locked up her 3 children & want [sic] away to wash & the children had lit a candle & set fire to the bed curtains[.] Signed by John Clark & Catharine Cury Feb 22/65.” Certified to Commissioners 27 Feb. 1865.

Ct.QS February Session 1865 [Transcript, certification undated:] Inquest for murder held at Conneaut 19 April 1864 re Joel Dunning, then and their laying dead, before E S Thayer, J.P., with witnesses Welburn Whitley, George McMullin, Nelson Havens, O F Bush, M D Shaw, and M C Dorchester (affirmed), who find “that the said Joel Dunning on the nineteenth day of April in the year aforesaid at Conneaut in the County aforesaid being in his Barn there doing his chores it so hapened that accidentally and by misfortune the said Joel Dunning fell and broke his neck he the said Joel Dunning then and there instantly died and by the means aforesaid accidentally and by misfortune came to his death and not otherwise.” Approved 15 Feb. 1865.

Ct.QS #77 November Session 1865 [Transcript certified 26 May 1865:] Inquest held 26 May 1865 re Robert Brush of Greenwood Township, on “Information and Complaint of J M Brush and Wm Riley of the Township of East-fallowfield in the Co of Crawford and State of Pa [who] saith [t]hat on this 26 day of May 1865 at the barn of the said Brush in East Fallowfield the dead body of Robert Brush of Greenwood Tp hanging by the neck with a cord around his neck,” before C. W. Porter, Esq., with jurors S S Tiffany, James G Smith [signed J G Smith], D S Cole, Abraham Klingensmith [signed A Klingensmith], John Klingensmith, and Amos Klingen-smith, who “hearing the testimony of J M Brush and Samuel Brush & Wm Riley all of the Township o East fallowfield agree to find a verdict that the Decd Robert Brush came to his death by hanging himself by a cord around his neck and done with his own hand.” Justice certifies “that the said estate amounts to $419.50.” Filed and approved 20 Nov. 1865.

Register’s Dk. 2:593: letters of administration on the estate of Robert Brush, late of Greenwood Twp., decd., issued 3 June 1865 to Samuel W. Brush; $500 bond posted with Loren Brush and S W McDowell as sureties; $129.25 inventory filed 12 June 1865; $162.52 sale list filed 30 June 1865; final account filed 15 Feb. 1866, balance $213.67 “in hands of Admnr for distribution.”

Ct.QS #78 November Session 1865 Inquest held at Steuben 9 Nov. 1865 re a person supposed to be F. W. Miller [elsewhere F. M. Miller], then and there lying dead, before Orlando Reed, J.P., “their not being a coroner within ten miles,” “upon the information of Patrick Carroll and A. P. Preston,” with jurors James Chalfant, David Munn Sr [signed David Munn], David Munn Jr, Daniel Titus, W. H. Waid, and L. S. Jones, who find “that said person come to his death by accident by coming on foot upon tract [sic] and being struch by train come down on O C RR causing one leg to be broke and sever gashes cut in head and other bruses suffitiens to produce death and by examination of papers found about said boddy believe his name to be F R [sic] Miller.” “Inquisition approved of but say nothing about the costs” 13 Nov. 1865.

Ct.QS #79 November Session 1865 Inquest held at Mead Twp. 13 Nov. 1865 re an unknown man, then and there lying dead, before A. M. Gorton, Coroner, with jurors R Townby [or Townley?], John Gable, G. Bently [signed G. Bentley], John Stockdale, George Miller [signed Geo. P. Miller], and [blank] Stebbins [signed Edward E. Stebbins], who find “that the said unknown upon the 12th day of Nov. 1865 it so happened that accidentally casually and by misfortune he the said unknown was in the water of Mill Run and then & ther[e] suffocated and drowned of which such suffocation and drowning he said unknown then & there instantly drowned died & so the jurers aforesaid do say and said unknown in manner & by means aforesaid accidentaly came to his death and not otherwise.” Bill of costs on cover shows witnesses Frank H. White and Albert Hart. Filed and certified to Commissioners 14 Nov. 1865.

Ct.QS #80 November Session 1865 Inquest held at Oil Creek Twp. 25 Aug. 1865 re E. Steel Green, then and there lying dead, before B. S. McAllister, J.P., acting as Coroner, with jurors George M. Mowbray, William W. Kingsland [signed W. W. Kingsland], George S. Stewart, R. D. Fletcher, Charles Kellogg and H. B. Ostrom, who find “that the above deceased person came to his death from severe injuries caused by the collision [described in the above inquest] … and further that the evicence shews that the President and directors of said Oil Creek Rail road, are criminally liable for the killing of the said E. Steel Greene, by refusing and neglecting to furnish reasonable and ordinary accomodation for passsengers travelling over said road, and particularly as in evidence shewn that said E. Steel Green was compelled to stand on the platform of a passenger car, where he was crushed and injured and came to his death, by the collision as before described, which would not have happened but for the refusal, and neglect of the said President and Directors of said Oil Creek Railroad aforesaid, to comply with the requisitions for reasonable and ordinary accomodation made by the conductors and superintendent of the said Oil Creek Railroad, at different times, for the passengers travelling over said road, and we the Jury aforesaid therefore request the Coroner to issue his warrant for the appearance and trial of said Joseph Funk and Patrick Carey, together with the President, Directors and Managers of the said Oil Creek Railraod, who by their culpable negligence as proved by the evidence have caused the death of said E. Steel Green. We further find from the evidence, facts, and information which have come before this Jury, That the equipment of the Oil Creek Railroad, its insufficient passenger accomodation, inability to bring the passenger cars and baggage to a platform, want of facilities for loading or unloading freight, creates unnecessary risk [of?] loss of live, and property, all of which evils a reasonable outlay would remedy, and be the not only true economy, but tend to save live and limb, as well as property.” Bill of costs shows two miles travelled, six [unnamed] witnesses. Approved 14 Nov. 1865.

Ct.QS #89 February Session 1866: Thomas Struthers, president of the Oil Creek Railroad Co., charged with manslaughter in the deaths of E. J. Clough, Gideon Leightall, and William Baldwin, by failing to provide convenient and sufficient switches or sidings and safe cars or carriages to accommodate trains of cars or carriages passing and repassing on the railroad; no indictment returned.

Ct.QS #90 February Session 1866: Joseph Funk and P Carey, engineer and conductor on Oil Creek Railway, indicted for manslaughter 15 Feb. 1866 in grossly neglecting to allow their train to remain on the main track at a time when a passenger train was due, whereby E. J. Clough, Gideon Leightall, and William Baldwin were killed in the collision.

Ct.QS #81 November Session 1865 Inquest held at Titusville 24 Aug. 1865 re E. J. Clough, Gideon Lightall, William Baldwin, Frederick Lauch, Ambrose M. Sedgwick, and Alvin Potter, then and there lying dead, before B. S. McAllister, J.P., acting as Coroner, with jurors George M Mowbray, William W. Kingsland [signed W. W. Kingsland], George S. Stewart, R. D. Fletcher, Charles Kellogg, and Samuel M. Mills [affirmed], who find “that the above deceased persons came to their deaths, by the collision of an express passenger train with an extra freight train on the Oil Creek Railroad at the Township of Oil Creek, in the County aforesaid, which collision was caused by reason of the culpable negligence of Joseph Funk, engineer, and Patrick Carey, conductor, as by the evidence shewn, said Funk and Carey having the control of the aforesaid extra freight train, and having neglected to properly flag the line, when the said express passenger train was then and there due and approaching, and we the aforesaid Jury therefore request the Coroner to issue his warrant for the apprehension of the said Joseph Funk and Patrick Corey. The Jury cannot separate without expressing their indignation that passengers are compelled to risk their lives on the Oil Creek Rail Road, for want of sufficient accommodation in the Cars, in proof of which the severe injuries and deaths were confined to those persons who were unable to find seats in the passenger cars.” Approved 14 Nov. 1865.

Ct.QS #86 November Session 1865 Inquest held [at Meadville?] 7 Dec. 1865 re John Redman, then and there found found, before A. M. Gorton, Coroner, with jurors H. W. Brooks, J. W. Hopkins, A. J. Kendall, John H. Wade, Joseph Brandon [signed Joseph Brandn], and Sylvester Thurston [signed S. S. Thurston], who “find that the said John Redman on the sixth day of December instant, came to his death by accidentally falling while in a state of intoxication into the reservoir in the Public Square in the Borough of Meadville and that then and there the said John Redman was accidentally suffocated and drowned. And the Jurors aforesaid do further say that the said reservoir in its present condition is dangerous and they would recommend that the same be properly enclosed.” Bill of costs shows four [unnamed] witnesses. Filed 9 Dec. 1865; costs certified to Commissioners 9 Dec. 1865.

Ct.QS #93 November Session 1865 Inquest held 18 Jan. 1866 re Patrick Obrien, “then and their found dead uppon the atlantic and Great Western Railroad near the junction of the Franklin Road being at the Company ware house in Mead Township,” before A. M. Gorton, Coroner, with jurors [no signatures] Wm Breckensider [Breckenridge on list of Jurors’ fees], A L Dunbar, H. Weber, M Sweney, W Peelman, and Johannes —[?] Benz[?], who “find that the said Patrick Obrion on the 18th inst came to his death by being on the on the [sic] track of the A & G.W. railroad and the cars runing over his boddy caused his death.” Bill of costs shows five [unnamed] witnesses. Filed 20 Jan. 1866.

Ct.QS November Session 1865 Bill of costs of A. M. Gorton, Coroner, and of S S Thurston, S Shouster, Jno. Hicmond, F W Stuart, John Lattimer, and S Wald, “Jury summoned to hold an Inquest [missing] on the dead body of John Keisel,” and for viewing the body 26 Oct. 1865, filed 31 Oct. 1865; certified to Commissioners 31 Oct. 1865.

Ct.QS #125 August Session 1866 Inquest held at Cochranton 11 Aug. 1866 re John Service, then and there lying dead, before Robert Patton, J.P., with jurors J. A. Curtis, James Martin, James B. Fleming [signed J B Fleming], F Wightman, Wm Rynd, and G A Whitling, who find “that the said John Servis [sic], on the 11th day of August in the year aforesaid, was found dead on the Rail Road Track about one mile west of Cochranton, having as is supposed by the Jury, fallen from, and been run over by Train No 36 on the 10th day of Aug 1866 and by that means came to his death.” Approved 14 Aug. 1866.

Ct.QS #115 ½ November Session 1866 Inquest held at the store of Ephraim Ralph of Titusville 13 June 1866 re Mary Bernstein [or Bernstien or Bernstine], “daughter of H. Bernstein, of said city of Titusville, then and there lying dead,” before Simon Strouse, J.P., with jurors Abraham Markson, Joseph Burger, H. W. Sherman [signed H W Shearna-], W. J Stevens, Ephraim Ralph [signed E. Ralph], Dr. Geo J Luce, and Dr. Theodore Young, attending physician: “Albert A Stackpole being sworn, testified as follows. I did not see when the child fell into the water, she fell between the reach of the Mill[,] a timber is across there, about 10 inches square -fo–[?] not for to walk on it and about 5 feet above the mouth of the spout, which is about 6 feet long to the wheel, first I saw her, I was standing on the walk on Franklin Str. fishing. I gave than the alarm and Mr Hancox stopped her between 3 & 4 rods below the bridge. I noticed when she first came out of the mill that a whole was on her back, and there was no life in her. Distance from the wheel where I fisrt saw her, is about 30 feet. [¶] Charles Wickert, being sworn testified as follows: About an hour ago I was walking down the Franklin Str. I saw some people standing below the millrace bridge. I went amongst the crowd and saw Mr Allen and another man had this little girl on their arms. I dont know the other man. I took the other man’s place and assisted Mr Allen to carry her in Ralph’s Store, she was perfectly lifeless when I first saw her. [¶] A. G. Stackpole being sworn testified as follows: I am acquainted with the little girl she has been in the habit of playing around the millrace, she has been repeedly warned not to come around the millrace. She has been told often it was dangerous. I did not see her today. My impression is the bucket struck her, it would kill her instantly, otherwise she might live long enough to be drowned. The wound caused in her back I think was caused by the corner of the bucket striking her as she entered the wheel, the second wound caused by the next bucket following. The wheel is composed of a ironshaft and wooden buckets. [¶] Dr Theodor Young being sworn and testified as follows: I saw the little girl at Herman Burn’s Brick Store, carried by several men. I came accross the Street and ordered her to be taken in the first house, it was carried into Mr Ralph’s Paint Store. I tried first every means known to us and within reach to restore her, when on turning her I discovered a large wound on her back also on the knee. I think that her life was entirely extinct when I first saw her. My impression is that she was killed by injures inflicted by the wheel attached to the mill. [¶] Irvin Hancox, being sworn, testified as follows: I saw the little girl a few feet above she was taken out of the water about three rods below the bridge of the millrace. I took her out with the assistance of a man to me unknown. I think she was entirely dead when I first saw her. [¶] Franklin Breed, being sworn, testified as follows: The last I saw of the little girl was about an hour and a half or two hours before it happened. She was standing on the length of the race about two rods above the mill. [¶] It so happened, that accidentally, casually and by misfortune, she, the said Mary Bernstein, daughter of H. Bernstein of the City of Titusville, fell in the water of a millrace belonging to A. G. Stackpole and Camp of said City of Titusville, then and there suffocated and drowned, of which said suffocation and drowning she the said Mary Bernstein, then and there instantly died. [¶] And so the Jurors … retired and brought in the verdict read by their forman Dr Geo J Luce, as follows: accidental death caused by injures inflicted by the water wheel under the mill on Franklin Street. The Jury would also recommend that the floor be covered as they deem it very unsafe and dangerous as it now is.” Approved 13 Nov. 1866.

Ct.QS #117½ November Session 1866 Inquest held at the dwelling house of James P McDowell in Summerhill Twp. 11 Nov. 1866 re James P McDowell, then and there lying dead, before H. J. Cooper, J.P., with jurors Hon. W S Crosier [signed William S Crozier], F Lord, James Sterling, J H Crosier [signed Jas H Crozier], Wm C Sterling, and David Bligh, who find “that he the said James P McDowell on the evening of the tenth instant at Lock fifteen on the Erie Extention Pa. Canal in Summerhill Township aforesaid in falling into the said Lock It so happened that accidentally casually and by misfortune he the said James P McDowell was in the water of the said Lock then and there suffocated and drowned, of which said suffocation and drowning he the said James P McDowell then and there instantly died.” Approved 12 Nov. 1866.

Register&146;s Dk. 3:25: letters of administration on the estate of James P. McDowell, late of Summerhill Twp., decd., issued 6 Dec. 1866 to John McDowell and Joseph Larimer, upon renunciation of widow; $1000 bond posted with Cyrus Kitchen and John Hiller as sureties; $205.35 inventory filed 16 Jan. 1867; $354.88 supplemental inventory, and $228.48 sale list, filed 20 March 1867.

Ct.QS #127½ November Session 1866 Inquest held “at the house of [blank] in the town of Vernon on the Mercer turnpike thre miles south of Meadville” 24 Nov. 1866 re John Williams, then and there lying dead, before A M Gorton, Coroner, with jurors [no signatures] Philip Shafer, John Shafer, Danil Kleppul, Peeter Roschi, Adam Bery, and John M Spley[?], who find that “the said John Williams came to his death by intoxication.” Certified to Commissioners 13 Dec. 1866.

Ct.QS #128½ November Session 1866 Inquest held at the shop of James Stewart in Meadville 17 Oct. 1866 re C. E. Mathews, then and there lying dead, before A M Gorton, Coroner, with jurors [no signatures] H. Cullun, D Morris, Lewis Perkins, J Rupp, V. Dacker[?], James Shartle, and S P. Johnson, who find “that said C. E. Mathews came to his death by the cars running off the track near Union uppon the A. & G. W. railroad they further say that the cause of the accident was some evil disposed person or persons removing a rail uppon said road.”

Ct.QS #31 February Session 1867 [Transcript certified at Titusville 20 Dec. 1866]: Inquest held at Titusville 19 Dec. 1866 re Ann Hicky [Hickey on cover], then and there lying dead, before Simon Strause, J.P., with jurors E. G. Stackpole, L. C. Pendleton [reportedly signed Lewis C. Pendleton], M. R. Rouse, E. T. Hall [reportedly signed T J Hall], Joseph Gaskill, and C. A. Seldon, all of the City of Titusville, who find “that one John Hickey, late of the City of Titusville, County aforesaid, a laborer, not having the fear of God before his eyes, but being moved and seduced by the instigation of the devil, on the eighteenth day of December, in the year of our lord one thousand eight hundred sixty six, at about ten oclock in the evening of the same day, with force and arms at the City of Titusville, County aforesaid, in and upon the aforesaid Ann Hickey, then and there being in the peace of God and the said Commonwealth, feloniously, violently and of his malice aforethought, made an assault and that the aforesaid John Hickey, then and there, with a stick of white oak wood, about twenty inches long, of which mortal assault the aforesaid Ann Hickey then and there died, so the said John Hickey then and there feloniously killed and murdered the said Ann Hickey, against the peace and dignity of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The aforesaid Jurors, … after hearing the evidence of Dr Moody, Dr Varian, Mrs McNevan, Mrs Davis, and Mrs Gamble, who being duly sworn according to law, come in the Courtroom with their verdict, which reads as follows: We the undersigned Jurors called to hold inquest on the body of Anna Hickey, upon our oaths and from evidence given, do believe that the said Anna Hickey came to her death on the night of the 18" December 1866 between the hours of 7 & 12 oclock by blows on her head, and that, said blows were inflicted by John Hickey, her husband with a stick of wood.”

[same case number:] John Hickey, laborer; indicted for murdering Ann Hickey with a stick of wood 18 Dec. 1866; witnesses Dr. Varian, Clark Ewing, and E G Stackpole. Jury sworn 10 April 1867; verdict: guilty of murder in the second degree. Commonwealth’s bill of costs shows witness Theresa McNiven.

Ct.QS #60 April Session 1867 Inquest held at Titusville 13 March 1867 re D. McCray, then and there lying dead, before George M. Mowbray, J.P., acting as Coroner, with jurors P. F. Bryan [signed P F Brien], John Taniane, Michael Toole, Solomon Cushman, William Dillon, John Keown, Thomas Dillon, William Crossett, R. E. Odbert, John L. Miller, and Jonathan Locke (foreman), who find “that the said D. McCray on the thirtieth day of March in the year aforesaid, at about one mile north of the Station at Tryonville and in the county aforesaid to wit, on a certain railway train running over the O. C. R. Road, being at or near the Break Lever, and then and there operating the break, as said train was descending an incline, did lose his balance, and fell between two tank cars, and was struck on the head and in divers parts of the body by the train passing over him the said D. McCray, and of the injuries thereby caused the said D McCray did die, by the said injuries and not otherwise.” Approved “as necessary & proper & fees of Justice to be paid” 10 April 1867.

Ct.QS April Session 1867 [Transcript, certification undated:] Inquest held at Fairfield Twp. 3 May 1865 before Thomas F Powell, J.P., with jurors John Shaw, Jas J. Marley, Jas Marley Jr, Hugh MGouran [McGovern?], Wm Dean Jr, and John E Shaw, re “a man found on the track of the A & G.W. Rail Road on the Franklin branch seven miles south of Meadville[.] Description[:] about 25 years of age. Five feet eight inches high. dark hair. grey eyes. had on a dark coat and dark barred pants velvet cap (black) light vest. barred flannel shirt. calf boots, white cotton socks and a pair of clean white cotton socks in his pocket. no papers or marks of any kind found on his person by which to identify the body[.] Evidence[:] Patrick Malone sworn[:] About half past six A.M. May 3d 1865 found the body of an unknown man on the track in what is called Marleys out about seven & half miles south of Meadville. The head was severed from the body. The appearance of the body indicated that the person had falen [sic] from the Express train going west from Meadville the same morning only about 15 minutes before we found it[.] Joseph Fuse sworn[:] Corroborates evidence of Malone[.] Harlow McFarland sworn[:] Helped to move the body off the track. James Stainbrook helped me. left the body and went to nearest station to get persons to see to it. [¶] The verdict of the Jury is that deceased was killed by falling from and being run over by the express train going west from Meadville on the morning of May the 3, 1865.” “Bill approved and ordered to be paid” 23 May 1867.

Ct.QS #35 September Session 1867 Inquest held at the house of Geo. Myers in Summerhill Twp. 25 July 1867 [but signed at Conneautville 3 Aug. 1867] re a male infant [VanVlecton] child then and there lying dead, before G. F. Bortnick, J.P., acting Coroner, with jurors H. J. Cooper, W. B. Gleason, H. J. Lane, Wm S. Crozier, Kenney Montgomery, and Wm. N. Lawrence, who find “that one Lodema Van vlecton of the Township of Summerhill in said County at the residence of Geo. Myers on the 23d day of July 1867 was delivered of a healty male child and that soon after the birth of said child it died by suffocation and the said Jurors on their solemn oaths do further say that the said Lodema Vanvlecton not having the fear of God before her eyes but being moved and seduced by the instigation of the Devil on the 23rd day of July 1867, at about nine oclock AM. of said day did feloniously make an assault upon the said infant child and that the said infant child was then and there suffocated by the hands of its mother of which suffocation the said infant child then and there instantly died and so the said Lodema Vanvlecton then and there felloniously killed and murdered the said male infant child against the peace and dignity of the Commonwealth. And moreover the Jurors aforsaid upon their oaths aforsaid say that the said Lodema Vanvlecton had not any goods or chattles lands or tenements within the County aforsaid or elsewhere to the knowledge of the said Jurors.”

[same case number:] Lodema Vanvlecten charged with murdering “a certain male child of tender age to wit about one day old whose name is to the Jurors aforesaid as yet unknown,” and for secretly giving birth to a male bastard child and the child having died, endeavoring privately to conceal the death “so that it might not come to light whether the said male child was born dead or alive, or whether the said male child was murdered or not”; witnesses W. B. Montgomery (prosecutor), Maria Flynn, Jane A. Parker, Catherine Myers, Margaret Myers, Susannah Myers, [Dr.] J. L. Dunn, [Dr.] F[rancis]. Green, and G. L. Bostwick; no indictment returned.

Ct.QS January Session 1868 Inquest held at Fairfield 27 Nov. 1867 re an unknown infant, then and there lying dead, before A. W. Mumford, J.P., with jurors Alex Shaw, A. F. Randolp [signed A. F. Randolph], John Counselman, Jacob Stine, J J Marley, Wm Wilkinson, O S Morgan, F. Hughs [signed Frank Hughes], John Fareborne [signed John Freborn], Michael O’Day, H. McFarland, and Paul Kohen [signed Paul Keher], who find “that some unknown person or persons not having the fear of God before their eyes but being moved and seduced by the instigation of the devel did in the opinion of said Jurors open an orafice in the left arm of said Infant with an lancet or sharp instrument some ten or fifteen days previous to this date and and by so doing caused the de[a]th of said Infant and acording to information produced before said Jurors was this day found afloat in the Canal between Shaws Landing and the Aquduct in the aforesaid township.” Filed 28 Nov. 1867; “the court adjudge it proper to hold an inquest in this case but cannot approve this because the law allows but six jurors, & therefore make no order as to the costs,” 17 Jan. 1868.

Ct.QS April Session 1868 [Transcript certifed at the Boro at Spring 21 Jan. 1868, “Sickness has prevented making a Return before, by myself”:] Inquest held 15 Jan. 1868 re James Reniff [elsewhere] Chester Reniff “of the Boro of Spring was found in a public Privey in said Boro dead and frosen,” before A. R. Dauchy, J.P. (citing act of 27 May 1841), with jurors [signed] W L Lefever, C. L. Fisher, O Baldwin, E. E. Eighmy, P S. Cook, and A. A. Hollembeak, who “find according to the testimony that the d he died of desease of the heart.” Certification also indicates that “Seven witnesses were supoinied some of whom saw the decd go into said privey between 3 & 4 Oclock P.M. the day before, there were no marks of violence on said person.” Filed 13 May 1868; “the Court adjudge that there was reasonable cause for holding said inquest and approve the same” 26 May 1868.

Ct.QS #67 September Term 1869 Inquest held at Meadville 12 and 13 Sept. 1869 re Adam King, “lying dead in Mead Township on the bank of French Creek,” before J. W. Hannen, J.P., wth jurors J H Smith, A. Affentranger [signed P. A. Affantranger], Louis Michael [signed L B Michel], Jos Fox, Jno. Canfield [signed John Campfield], and F[T?]. H. Perkins [signed C. H. Perkins], who find “that the said Adam King came to his death by means of blows, or bruises, inflicted inflicted upon his head by means of a club or other blunt weapon or instrument in the hands of some person to the Jury unknown and that the said Adam King was afterwards thrown into French Creek from the bridge across said Creek at the foot of Dock St in the City of Meadville, As the evidence indicates and the Jury verily believe, The said Adam King came to his death as aforesaid on the 10th day of Sept A D 1869 about 1 AM, And the said Jurors further say, that the said person unknown, after he had committed the said felony & murder in the manner afterward did flee away.” Bill of costs shows T. B. Lashell, MD, $10 for examining body. “The Court approve the within bill exept the pay of Jurors” 17 Sept. 1869; certified to commissioners 18 Sept. 1869.

Crawford Democrat 18 Sept. 1869, p. 3, col. 2: “Probable Murder. [¶] Adam King was an employee of the Atlantic and Great Western Railway company. He resided with his family on the hill immediately west of this city. On Thursday of last week King received his money from the railroad, amounting to about $60. During the afternoon of Thursday he became intoxicated, and remained in that condition until midnight, when he started from a drinking establish¬ment on Dock street for his home. This was late on Thursday night or early Friday morning –there being some discrepancy in the evidence as to the precise hour at which King left his companions. It is rumored that King expressed a fear about passing over the covered bridge which spans the creek at the foot of Dock street. But, be that as it may, it appears the poor man had some reason to entertain fears, for he never saw his family after that fatal afternoon of Thursday. Nothing was seen of King on Friday and Saturday; but on Sabbath morning Mr. T. Patton discovered the body of a man stranded on a sand bar in French creek about two miles south of this place, which was readily identified as that of the missing King. An inquest was held, and the verdict thereof expressed a belief that the deceased had been murdered. This opinion was based upon the following facts, viz: [¶] 1. Two severe blows had been inflicted upon the head of the deceased—one on the forehead and the other on the top of the skull—neither of which, in the opinion of examining physician, could have occurred from floating in the water. [¶] 2. No water was found in the lungs of the deceased—a positive proof that respiration could not take place after the body was thrown into the creek. [¶] 3. Spots of blood were found on the bridge, the third day after the disappearance of King, over which he had necessarily to pass on his way home. [¶] 4. No money was found upon the person of the deceased. [¶] In conformity with the rendering of the inquest our City Council offer a reward of $500–and we understand the County Commissioners will offer a similar sum–for information that will lead to the identification and conviction of the murderer or murderers of Adam King.”
Note: No indictment was found in the county criminal court records.

Ct.QS #103 Jan. Session 1870 Inquisition held on the body of a man name unknown found dead in Mead Tp; “Commonwealth of Pennsylvania/Crawford County SS An inquisition indented and taken at Mead Township in the County of Crawford the 16th day of January A D 1870 before J W Hannen a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, acting as Coroner, upon the view of the body of a person man whose name is unknown, then and there lying dead, upon the oaths of Wm Roddick, M L Boslough [signed Mell L Bouslough], J T Herrington, John McMullen, C Vanhorn [signed C. Van Horne], S Trace [signed S L Trace], good and lawful men of the County aforesaid, who being sworn on the part of the Commonwealth to inquire when, where, and how and after what manner the said person unknown, came to his death, do say upon their oaths, that the said person unknown did at a time to the Jury unknown come to his death, That he was found dead in a barn belonging and situated on the farm of Rufus Smith, in Mead Tp, County aforesaid on the 15th day of January A D 1870, There were no marks of violence appearing about his body and the Jury are of the opinion, and say, that the said person unknown, died from exposure to cold, in the said barn where he was found dead, and where he had apparently lain for some time. [¶] In witness whereof the said Justice and the Jurors aforesaid have to this inquisition put their hands and seals on the day and year first above written.” “Approved & the within bill of costs directed to be paid by the county,” 17 Feb. 1870.

Ct.QS #104 January Session 1870 Inquisition held by Orlando Reed on the dead body of Andrew Clark; approved and ordered to be paid 4 Jan. [1871]; costs cty. 4 Jan. 1871: “Commonwealth of Pennsylvania/Crawford County SS Inquisition indented and taken at Steuben in the County of Crawford the 28th Sept A D 1870 before me O Reed, a Justice of the Peace of said county afforesaid upon the view of the body of Andrew Clark then and thee lying dead upon the oaths [of] C W Benn (foreman), L F Edson, J M Gilson [signed John M Gilson], David Munn Jr, Haris Roberts [signed H. Roberts] and Stutely Morton [signed Sutley Morton] good and lawful men of the County afforesaid who being sworn and charged to enquire on the part of the Commonwealth when whare how and in what manner the said Andrew Clark came to his death Do say upon their oaths that the said Andrew Clark on the 27th day of September in the year afforesaid at and in the county afforesaid comeing from the woods where he had been hunting it so hapened that accidently casualy and by misfortune he the said Andrew Clark was in the act of crossing a fence when his gun was accidentally discharged, the contents entering the throat about half way from the chin to the ear and appareantly lodgeing in the brain from which accidental shooting he the [said] Andrew Clark remained unconcious and unable to communicate in any manner the cause of the accident until he died about an hour after shooting all this happening about 12M of the day afforesaid In witness whereof as well the afforesaid Justice acting coroner as well the Jurors afforesaid have to this inquisition put their seals on the day and year and at the place first above written”

Ct.QS #107 Jan. Session 1870 Inquisition on body of N. Reynolds found dead in Tiffany House, City of Meadville; Approved & Comrs to pay costs, 25 March 1870; within costs certified to Co Comrs, 26 March 1870. “Commonwealth of Pennsylvania/Crawford County SS An inquisition taken in the City of Meadville, County aforesaid on the 9th day of March A D 1870 before me J W Hannen a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid, upon the view of the body of N Reynolds, found lying dead in the a room in the basement of the Tiffany House in said City, upon the oaths of James Shartle, A M Addle, J R Russell, P Leinen, W S Affentranger, James Larkins good & lawful man of the County aforesaid, who being sworn to inquire on the part of the Commonwealth, when, where, how, and after what manner the said N Reynolds came to his death, do say upon their oaths that the said N Reynolds on the night of the 8th day of March A D 1870, or on the morning of the 9th at Tiffany House in City of Meadville, in the County aforesaid, was found dead in a basement room of said house, tha there were no marks of violence, sufficient to produce death, appearing about his body and that he died from the excessive use of intoxicating liquors. [¶]In witness whereof the Justice as well as the Jurors aforesaid have hereunto put their hands & seals on the day & year and at the place first above mentioned. ” Bill of costs for Dr. F. B Lashells, examining body; and 10 witnesses [unnamed].

Ct.QS #108 January Session 1870 Inquest held at the house of John F. McDowell in Summerhill Twp. 18 July 1869 re John Anthony Chaser, then and there lying dead, before Wm H Beatty, J.P., with jurors Wm S Crozier, H J Cooper, Theron Beard, Wm Proctor, S. H. Gibson, and Wm A Rupert [signed W. A. Rupert], who find “that the said John Anthony Chaser on the 17th day of July A D 1869 at Lock 12 on the Erie Extension Pa Canal in Summerhill Township County aforesaid fell into said Canal was suffocated and drowned of which suffocation and drowning he the said John Anthony Chaser then and there instantly Died[.] And so the Jurors aforesaid do say that the said John Anthony Chaser in manner and by the means aforesaid accidentally casually and by misfortune came to his Death and not otherwise.” Bill of costs shows two [unnamed] witnessses, thirty miles. Filed 8 March 1870; approved 24 March 1870; costs certified to Commissioners 26 March 1870.

Crawford Democrat 24 July 1869, p. 3, col. 1: “Drowned. [¶] On Saturday last a lad named John A. Chase, aged 11 years, was drowned in Lock 12, on the Erie Canal, about half a mile from Dixonburgh, ‘Summerhill township, this county. The boy had been living with Mr. W. P. McDowell, who found him last November wandering along the Canal in a destitute condition. We undersatand that nothing is known as to the boy’s parentage or history.”

Ct.QS #66 September Session 1870 Inquisition held on the dead body of John Hartwell at Townville; Approved and allowed 12 Sept. 1870: “Crawford County S.S. An Inquisition indented, Taken at Tryonville in the County of Crawford the twentieth day of July A.D. 1870.-Before James Tryon, a Justice of the peace in and for the County aforesaid, upon the view of the Body of John Hartwell then and there lying dead; upon the oaths of John Gabriel [signed John S. Gabriel], David Titus, Stutley Morton, James Titus [signed James Titus Jr., and Solomon Snow, and the solomn affirmation of David Munn [signed David Munn Jr], good lawful men of the county aforesaid, who being sworn or affirmed, and charged to inquire on the part of the Commonwealth, when, where, how, and after what manner the said John Hartwell came to his death, do say upon their solemn oath or affirmation, that the said John Hartwell on the 20th day of July in the year aforesaid at Tryonville in the county aforesaid, to wit, in the said Hartwells wood house, was found dead, that he had no marks of violence appearing on his body, and died by the visitation of God, in a natural way, and not otherwise; in witness whereof, as well the aforesaid Justice of the peace, as the Juriours aforesaid, have to this inquisition put their seals on the day & year, and at the place first above written.”

Ct.QS #67 September Session 1870 Inquisition held on the dead body of one John Griffin found dead in Oil Creek Tp.; Approved and ordered to be paid 20 Sept. 1870; costs cty [i.e., certified] to Comrs 5 Jan. 1871: “Return of Inquisition held by Coroneers Jury empannelled by Daniel Bougher Esquire Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Crawford state of Pennsylvania acting as Coroner (no Coroner within ten miles) on the death of John Griffin deceased. [¶] Crawford County SS. An inquisition indented, taken at Oil Creek Borough in the County of Crawford the fifteenth day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventy before me Daniel Bougher Esq. Justice of Peace of the County aforesaid upon the view of the body of John Griffin then and there lying dead upon the oaths of Peter Ridgway, John G. Titus, M. Link, S. Fulmer [signed Samuel Fulmer], L. G. Worden and S. Stetson [signed Spicer(?) Stetson] good and lawful men of the county aforesaid who being sworn and charged to inquire on the part of the Commonwealth when, where, how and after what manner the said John Griffin came to his death, so say upon their oath, that he, the said John Griffin on the fifteenth day of July in the year aforesaid at and in the county aforesaid going into a pond of water near Oil Creek at McCombs Bridge so called it so happened, that accidentally, casually and by misfortune, he the said John Griffin was in the water of the said pond then and there suffocated and drowned; of which said suffocation and drowning, he the said John Griffin then and there instantly died. [¶] And so the said jurors do say that the said John Griffin in manner and by misfortune, came to his death and not otherwise. [¶] In witness whereof as well the aforesaid Daniel Bougher Justice of the Peace as the jurors aforesaid have to this inquisition but their seals on the day and year and at the place first above written.”

Ct.QS #68 September Session 1870 Inquisition taken upon the body of Henry Miller found dead in City of Meadville; approved and costs ordered to be paid out of County funds 21 Sept. 1870: “Commonwealth of Pennsylvania/Crawford County S S Inquisition taken in the City of Meadville County of Crawford the 17th day of September A D 1870 before J W Hannen one of the Justices of the Peace in & for said County upon the view of the body of Henry Miller a boy aged about 11 years found lying dead on the track of the Atlantic & Great Western Railway, upon the oaths of J. H. Lenhart, Jos. C. Hays, J. P. Wygant, R. Bard [signed Rudolphus Bard], Jas Carlin, L. F. Margach good and lawful men of the County aforesaid, who being sworn to inquire on the part of the Commonwealth when, where, how, and fter what manner the said Henry Miller came to his death, do say upon their oath, that the said Henry Miller about 6 ½ AM on the 17th day of September A D 1870 at Meadville in the County aforesaid while engaged in picking up coal along the track of the said Atlantic & Great Western Railway and while lying down along said track reaching a culvert near Willow St. in City aforesaid, for the purpose aforesaid, was struck and instantly killed by a train of coal cars which were backing up in the direction of the passanger depot of said company in said City, and were driven by switch Engine No 36 belonging to said Company, that the bell upon said Engine was ringing at the time running at the rate of five or six miles per hour, and so the jurors aforesaid do say that the said Henry Miller in the manner and by the means aforesaid accidentally, casually, and by misfortune came to his death, and not otherwise. In witness whereof the said Justice and jurors aforesaid have to his inquisition put their hands & seals on the day and year and at the place first above mentioned.”

Ct.QS #32 January Session 1871 [from murder indictment for George Turner and Francis Brown, enclosed inquest:] Commonwealth/of Pennsylvania/Crawford County ss An Inquisition indented and taken at the Borough of Oil Creek in the County of Crawford on the fifth 5th day of December in the year of our Lord One thousand Eight Hundred and Seventy before me T. E Curtiss Coroner of the Couty aforesaid upon the Body of Rowland Kitelinger late of Troy Township in the aforesaid County then and there lying dead and whereas the said T. E. Curtiss Coroner of said County of Crawford did summon H. G. Swift (foreman), Daniel T Titus, Granville Spaulding, Spicer Stetson, James Hubbard [signed James L. Hubbard], and P. H. Powers to act as Jurymen to proceed and ascertain and deterimine upon the death of said Rowland Kitelinger. Now after an Impartial Hearing and Examination of Witnesses before us sworn and affirmed do state and believe upon our solemn oath and affirmation that the said Rowland Kitelinger came to his death by a gunshot wound while being engaged in a street quarrel. The gun then and there being supposed to be in the hands of one George Turner of the aforesaid township county & state aforesaid also the said Jurors do actually and solemnly declare and believe that the said George Turner did use the said gun or weapon in self defence while being attacted without just cause or provacation in his waggon while traveling upon the public high way in said township borough aforesaid[.] The said Rowland Kitelinger did and there at the place named aforesaid atttack and lay hold of the said Geo. Turner while the said George Turner was peaceably traveling upon the Road in his Waggon and we upon our oaths truly believe that one John Kitelinger of the aforesaid township county and state did then and there aid and abet and did by active and other means instigate and help and make threats, which ex[c]ited the said Rowland Kitelinger then being under the influence of licquor to make such attack upon the said George Turner, & we further agree that the taking the life of the said Rowland Kitelinger by the said George Turner as being a justifiable homicide and that John Kitelinger being accessory to the same aiding and abetting and by other means assisted the said Rowland Kitelinger to make the attack on the said George Turner, and by such an attack by the said Rowland Kitelinger upon George Turner, was the cause of his Rowland Kitelingers death. In witness whereof as well as the aforesaid Coroner, as the Jurors have to this Inquisition put their Hands & Seals on the 5th day of December A.D. 1870 at the place above mentioned.”

Ct.QS #76 April Session 1871 Inquisition on body of John Herrington found dead on R R City of Meadville; This inquisition having been submitted to the Court of Quarter Sess. & considered by tehm, it is considered & adjudged that there was reasonable cause for holding the inquest, & the same is approved by the Court, including the fees charged thereto, 15 May 1871: “Commonwealth of Pennsylvania/Crawford County S.S Inquisition indented and taken at Meadville, County and State aforesaid the 28th day of April A D 1871 before J W Hannen one of the Justices of the Peace in and for said County, it being over 10 miles from office of Coroner of said County, upon the view of the body of John Herrington then and there lying dead, upon the oaths of M L Boslough, J A Carrr, T R Kennedy, S. Breckenridge, H. Chamberlain, F C Peck [signed Fred C. Peck] good & lawful men of the County aforesaid, who being sworn to inquire, on the part of the Commonwealth, when, were, how and after what manner the said John Herrington came to his death do say upon their oath, that the said John Herrington on the 28th day of April A D 1871 at County aforesaid, being more or less under the influence of intoxicating liquor and going upon the track of the Erie Railway, Atlantic and Great Western Division, near the Depot of said Company at Meadville, was struck and run over by a locomotive or train of cars passing over said road, and from the result of injuries received as aforesaid the said John Herrington died, and so the Jurors aforesaid so day, that the said John Herrington in manner and by the means aforesaid, accidentally, casually, and by misfortune came to his death, and not otherwise, and that no blame can be attached to the said Rail Road Company or any of its employees [¶] In witness whereof the Justice and Jurors aforesaid have to this inquisition put their hands & seals, on the day and year and place first above mentioned ”Bill of costs includes T B Lashells, MD, examining body, $10; and qualifying 10 [unnamed] witnesses.

Ct.QS #80 April Session 1871 Inquisition upon the body of Ludwick Rohde found dead; This inquisition having been submitted to the Court it is now adjudged that there was reasonable cause for holding the inquest & the proceedings are approved, 19 June 1871; cots cty. to Co. Comrs. 24 June 1871: “Commonwealth of Pennsylvania/Crawford County SS Inquisition indented and taken at Meadville County aforesaid on the 9th day of June A D 1871 before J W Hannen one of the Justices of the Peace in and for said County, the office of the Coroner of said County being more than ten miles distant from the place where the death occurred, upon the view of the body of Ludwick Rohde lying dead on the premises of Henry Berg at the end of Mercer Street bridge in Vernon Tp in said County, upon the oaths of Fred Claus, J Veith [signed Jacob Veith], Henry Jones, John Sherman, A Fraumuth [signed A. Freumouth], John Schrick [signed John Shreck], good and lawful men of the County aforesaid who being sworn to inquire, on the part of the Commonwealth, when, where, how and after what manner the said Ludwick Rohde came to his Death do say upon their oaths that they find the said Ludwick Rohde was a native of Mechlinburg Prusia, that on or about 16th day of May 1871 he embarked for the United States in company with his wife and daughter, that on or about the 7th day of June 1871 accompanied by his wife he left New York for Cleveland, that about 1 AM of the 9th day of June 1871 during the stoppage of the train on the Atlantic & Great Western Railway, at the City of Meadville, the said Ludwick Rohde left the train, that the said Ludwick Rohde from the time of leaving Prusia had spells of insanity and at the time of his death was a lunatic and a person of insane mind, and being insane as aforesaid, after leaving the train of the A & G W R R as aforesaid wandered accross [sic] the Creek to the premises of Henry Berg and there hanged himself, with his own scarf, or neck handkerchief, upon the limb of an apple tree growing upon the premises of the said Henry Berg, and so the jurors aforesaid upon their oaths say, that the aforesaid Ludwick Rohde, from the cause aforesaid, in manner & form aforesaid, came to his death and not otherwise. [¶] In witness whereof as well the said Justice as the jurors aforesaid have to this inquisition put their hands & seals at the time and place aforesaid. ” Bill of costs includes $10 to T. B. Lashells MD for examining body.

Ct.QS #69 August Session 1871 Inquest of R P Watson before J B D Clark, Alderman, Titusville Pa., 31 Aug. 1869; 15 Aug. 1871, the Court approves this as a proper case for holding an inquest; costs ct to Co Comrs 13 Aug. 1872. “Crawford County SS. Inquest held on the Body of R. P. Watson at Engine House fourth Ward City of Titusville Pa | J B D Clark Alderman [¶] On personal view of the body found in Oil Creek within the limits of Said City, Aug 31st 1869. at 9 P.M. | The following Jurors were summoned M. Shannon, D. p. Combs, M. Canaly, James Corbet, Danl. Foley, D. Wade. The Jury Sworn. | Witnesses. P. Lee sworn I found the body in Oil Creek under buckboard wagon, upset, with a horse attached thereto. When I got him from under the wagon he was dead. I lay him on bank of Creek where he remained untill viewed by Esq. No other person present. | Sidney Sheppard sworn. I know the body to be R. P. Watson I met him bet 4 and 5 oclock P M with horse and buckboard, he was very much intoxicated. | M Shannon Sw[orn]. I saw him going towards the Creek bt 6 & 7 P.M. | There were no marks on the body | Jury returned verdict. Came to his death by accidental drowning | I certify that the above is a true copy of the proceedings had before me this 31st day of Aug 1869. [signed] J. B. D. Clark (seal), Alderman 3d Ward Titusville.

Ct.QS #70 August Session 1871 Inquest Held on the body of John Hancock late of Woodcock Tp. before H Sacket Esq J.P. May 15th A.D. 1871; Aug. 17, 1871 The Court approve the holding of an inquest in this case; Cost ct to Co Com Sept 15 1871: “Commonwealth of Penna | Crawford County ss [¶] An inquisition indented and taken at Woodcock Tp in the County of Crawford the 15th day of May in the year our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventy one before me Harvey Sacket a Justice of the Peace in and for said County upon the view of the body of John Hancock then and there lying dead, it being over ten miles from the office of the Coroner, upon the oaths of B. G. David, A. Mook, John Renner [signed J Renner], A. McGill, Edmund Schilling, A. M. McGill, good and lawful men of the County aforesaid who being sworn and affirmed to inquire upon the part of the Commonwealth when where and how and after what manner the said John Hancock came to his death, so day upon their oath and affirmation that the said John Hancock came to his death by hanging himself from a joist in his barn in Woodcock township aforesaid on Monday May 15th A.D. 1871 between the hours of four and seven oClock A.M. [¶] In witness whereof we have hereunto signed our names & affixed our Seals this 15th May A.D. 1871. ” Bill of costs shows 2 [unnamed] witnesses qualified. Exceptions filed by Commissioners, “That the law does not provide for the payment of jury.”

Ct.QS #1 November Session 1871 John McDonald, yeoman; indictment for murder of James Heatherton at Titusville 14 Aug. 1871; wit. John Vaughn, Herman Kaltenbach, W. S. Judson, Wm. M. Thompson, M. R. Rouse, Dr. Dunn; 7 Nov. 1871, true bill. Deft. pleads not guilty (jury list enclosed). Verdict: guilty of murder in the second degree. Transcript certified from the docket of T. E. Curtiss [undated]: “Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Crawford County vs John McDonald Notice being given me that James Heatherton was found dead in Franklin Street in the City of Titusville in said County After being notified proceed to place and found the Body Removed to the City Engine House After Summoning the following Gentlemen Simeon Strouse Foreman, S. B. Collins, W. B. Todd, S. B. Porter, E Guilliod, Geo. W. Sterns to act as Jurors of Inquest [¶] We then proceed to examine the Body of the said James Heatherton, thought it necessary to examine the Body more minutely summond Doct Oakes & Dunn to hold post mortum examination on the Body of said James Heatherton After doing so it being late at night adjourn to 15th at 8 A.M. at Simeon Strouse office to take testimony in the case [¶] John McDonald the Defendant gave himself up to Chief Police M R Rouse & confessed in lockup [¶] Aug 15 after Meeting Jury Present and answer to names proceed to take evidence [¶] After Hearing Evidence from the following Witnesses John Vaughn Herman Collenback Wm. M. Thmpson We the Jury do agree that the said James Heatherton come to his Death by the Hand of the said John McDonald & the said John McDonald did maliciously & willfully kill the said James Heatherton with a knife the Blade being four to five inches long and did stab the said James Heaterton in several places by which caused his Death; signed … [¶] John McDonald committed to Pri[s?]on at Meadeville.&148;

Ct.QS #74 November Session 1871 Inquisition on the body of John Brown; Dec 4. 1871 It is hereby certified that there was reasonable cause for holding this inquest, and the inquisition is approved but no opinion is ofered[?] relative to the costs; costs cty to Co Coms 4 Dec. 1871 “Coroners Inquest | We, the undersigned jurors at an inquisition held in the Borough of Conneautville, in the County of Crawford, in the State of Pennsylvania, before N. Truesdal, Justice of the Peace, acting Coroner, on the 29th day of July and 1st & 5th days of August, A.D. 1871, Sitting upon the body of John Brown, deceased, do find upon our oaths that the Said John Brown came to his death from injuries receved on the line of the Erie and Pittsburgh Rail Road, near Conneautville Station, on the Said road at about 12 M. of the Said 29th day of July, by being run over by a passenger train running north on said road, and now do not find that any one is censurable therefor.”; signed N. Truesdal, J.P., L R Klumph, J. W. Foster, H. R. Holman, O. B. Shyton[?], O Hough M D, James Clark. Bill of costs includes qualifying ten witnesses: S. W. Vincent, O. Penfield, J Clapsaddle, H Holman, Lewis Monger, P. B. Carpenter, John McLarey, C. McCrum, L. Monger, Hiram Holden; also O. Hough M.D. post mortem examination; and Wm H Darby, coffin.

Ct.QS #68 January Session 1872 Inquest taken on the body of David Carl; The Court adjudge that there was reasonable cause for holding an inquest on within departed and approve of the same, 22 Feb. 1872: “Crawford County ss An Inquest indented taken at Dicksonburg in Summerhill Township in said County the 10th day of February AD 1872 Before Wm H. Beatty J.P. acting Coroner upon the view of the body of David Carl then & there lying Dead upon the Oaths of J B McDowell, J. S. Tuthill, J D Proctor, G N McDowell, E P McDowell, J. E. Wilcox, Good and lawful men of the County aforesaid who being sworn and affirmed and charged to enquire on the part of the Commonwealth when where how and after what manner the said David Carl came to his Death Do say upon their Oath and affirmation that the said David Carl on the 10th day of February in the year aforesaid in Summerhill Township and County aforesaid (viz) on a certain Public Highway Running East and west through said Township Between the house of Sanford Hammon & John S Proctor was found Dead that he had no marks of violence appearing on his body and Died by the visitation of God and not otherwise In witnesses whereof the aforesaid Coroner as the Jurors aforesaid have to this Inquisition put their seals the day and year and place aforesaid. ” Bill of costs shows 3 [unnamed] witnesses, 30 miles.

Ct.QS April Session 1872 Inquest held on the dead body of Trollas Crosby, filed 12 Feb. 1872; 14 May 1872, the Court discovers no reasonable cause for this proceeding & does not approve the same: Commonwealth of Pennsylvania | Crawford County An Inquisition Indented and taken at Maple Grove, Rome Township in the County of Crawford the 15th day of January 1872 before me S M Edmond a Justice of the peace and acting Coroner upon the view of the body of Trollas Crosby then and there lying dead upon the oaths of R P Rendall, Jared Blakeslee, B J Wheatall [Wheatal on signature line], John Muir, B H Gilson, and William McCuen, good and lawful men of the County aforesaid, who being sworn on the part of the Commonwealth to enquire when, where, how, and after what manner the said Trollus Crosby came to his death do say upon their oaths that the said Trollas Crosby came to his death by being caught by the left foot and thrown upon the top of a circular saw in the mill where he was at work and causing instant death, and that no blame is atached to either the owner of the mill or any person working in the mill [¶] In Witness whereof as well the aforesaid acting Coroner as the Jurors aforesaid have to this Inquisition put their names and seal this on the day and year and at the place first above mentioned [signatures, as written by the J.P.—not actual signatures].”

Ct.QS #64 August Session 1872 Inquisition upon the body of Kate Noxon Killed on A & G W R R in City of Meadville; 29 Aug. 1872, The Court approve this as a proper case for an inquisition: “Commonwealth of Pennsylvania | Crawford County S S Inquisition indented and taken at City of Meadville in the County of Crawford the 14th 15th and 16th days of April A D 1872 before J W Hannen one of the Justices of the Peace in and for said City & County, it being over ten miles distant from the office of the Coroner of said County, said inquisition being taken upon the view of the body of Kate Noxon then and there lying dead, upon the oaths of F L Blackmarr, M L Boslough, M Trowbridge, Geo Barton [signed G. P. Barton], C H Perkins, A Derst good and lawful men of the County aforesaid, who being sworn to inquire on the part of the Commonwealth when, where, how and after what manner the said Kate Noxon came to her death, do say upon their oaths, that the said Kate Noxon on the 14th day of April A D 1872 at the City of Meadville County aforesaid going upon the crossing of the Atlantic and Great Western Railroad at Pine street in said City was struck by a locomotive belonging to said A & G W Railroad while crossing said street and was instantly killed, and so the jurors aforesaid say that the said Kate Noxon in manner and by the means aforesaid, accidentally casually and by misfortune came to her death, and not otherwise. And the Jury further find from this and similar accidents which have occurred at street crossings in said City, that there is an imperative need of Flagmen, or watchmen being placed upon the crossings at Dock, Pine, Poplar and Mercer streets in said City, and they recommend and urge that the City Council pass an ordinance obliging and requiring the Railroad Company to place Flagmen upon said crossings, and such others as they may deem necessary, from 6 O Clock A M to 9 O Clock P M of each day, and also an ordinance prohibiting the running of trains within the City limits at a greater rate of speed than four miles an hour, also prohibiting the occupying or passing of two trains, or locomotives, on a street crossing at the saime time [¶] In witness whereof the said Justice and Jurors have to this inquisition put their hands and seals this 16th day of April A D 1872 at the City and County aforesaid. ” Bill of costs shows 5 witnesses qualified.

Ct.QS #26 November Session 1872 O. E. Gleason; indictment for manslaughter taken [receipt of John B. Compton, Dist. Atty., in file]. Bill of costs shows witnesses Rufus H. Guild, Daniel Baugher, Samuel Jimason [Jameson on subpoena], John G. Titus, Mary A. Burns, Henry Hood, Mat Middaugh [M. C. Middaugh on subpoena], Charles Middaugh, George Cain, Martin Goodwell, Dr R. Ashley, Thomas Collins, Frank Goodrich, Peter Carr, Mrs. Burton, William Mosier, Robert Looney, Willis Carr, James Ford, Dr. E. H. Dewey, Dr. J. C. Cotton, Dr. A. Logan, and [blank; Andy on subpoena] McCabe (all except Peter Carr and McCabe at both Nov. and Jan. sessions). “Commonwealth of Pennsylvania | Crawford County S.S. An inquisition indented and taken at Hydetown, Oil Creek Township, Crawford County, & State of Pennsylvania, the 15" and 16" day of October 1872 before me, Simon Strouss, Esq., one of the Justices of the Peace, in & for the said County, & acting Coroner, upon the view of the body of Myron Burns, then & there lying dead, upon the oath of Daniel Baugher Esqr., R. H Guild, R. Ragan[?], Samuel Jamison, Daniel Titus, & J. G. Titus, good and lawful men of the County aforesaid, who being duly sworn to inquire on the part of the Commonwealth, when, where, & after what manner the said Myron Burns came to his death, do say, upon their oath, that the said Myron Burns came to his death on the 14" day of October 1872 by being forced of[f?] forcible from the 4 oclock Train, coming from Titusville towards Hydetown, near a place called Hollidays dam, while in motion, and that the Conductor, who had charge at the time of the aforesaid Train, is the cause of it, to[?] all of this the following Witnesses been sworn: M C Midaugh, Charles Midaugh, John Titus, Patrick Roach, Dr Ashley, Henry Hood, Mary Ann Burns, Lewis Jacobs, all of Hydetown aforesaid, George Kane & Martin Goodwill of Titusville, Andrew McKabe of Tryonville, Jeremiah Kellsey, J Kellsey his wife & Sarah Kellsey daughter, of Hollidays dam aforesaid. [¶] In wittness whereof, as well the aforsaid acting Coroner as the Jurors aforesaid, have to this inquisition put their hands & seals this 16" day of Octbr 1872, viz Simon Strauss acting Coroner, Daniel Baugher, Foreman, R H Guild, R Ragan[?], Samuel Jamison, Daniel T Titus & J G. Titus. [¶] This is a correct transcript of the Coroners inquest —[?]. [¶] In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand & seal this 23" day of Octobr 1872. [signed] Simon Strauss, J.P., acting Coroner.”

Ct.QS #79 April Session 1873 Inquisition of Samuel Green found dead in City of Meadville; 19 April 1873, The Court adjudge that there was reasonable cause in holding said inquest and approve the same: “Commonwealth of Pennsylvania/Crawford County SS Inquisition indented and taken at Meadville, County aforesaid the 4th day of Oct A D 1872 before J W Hannen one of the Justices of the Peace in and for said County acting as Coroner, it being more than ten miles distant from the office of the Coroner of said County, upon the view of the body of Samuel Green, then and there lying dead, upon the oath of M T Bales, M Trowbridge, Saml Jones [signed Robert Jones], Thos Ross, J C Worts [signed J. C. Worst], Wilmot Bartle [signed W. Bartle] good and lawful men of the County aforesaid, who being sworn to inquire on the part of the Commonwealth, when, where, how, and after what manner the said Samuel Green came to his death, do say, upon their oaths that the said Samuel Green was found dead in his bed on the morning of the 4th day of Oct A D 1872, at his residence on North Main St. in City of Meadville, a bottle filled with whiskey being found in bed with him between his body and arm, and so the jurors aforesaid do say that the said Samuel Green came to his death by means of apoplexy produced by continued and excessive use of intoxicating liquors. And the jurors aforesaid do say that the said Saml Green in manner & by means aforesaid came to his death & not otherwise [¶] Witness the hand & seal of said Justice & Jurors at Meadville this 4th day of Oct A D 1872. ” Bill of costs for 2 witnesses [unnamed], Dr. S Volck for examining body.

Ct.QS #80 April Session 1873 Inquisition of Sudden death held at Titusville Feb 10th 11th & 12th 1873 on view of the body of John S Lowry then and there lying dead; 19 April 1873, The Court adjudge that there was reasonable cause for holding said inquest and approve the same: “Inquisition of Sudden Death/Commonwealth of Pennsylvania/Crawford County Ss An inquisition indented and taken at Titusville in the county of Crawford the 10th 11th and 12th days of February in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventy three before me John S. Tracy J.P. acting as Coroner of the said county upon the view of the body of John S. Lowry then and there lying dead upon the oaths of M N Allen, P. T. Witherop, George W. Houghson [signed G. W. Hughson], William Dillon, A A Aspinwall and L D Phelps good and lawful men of the county aforesaid who being duly sworn to inquire on the part of the Commonwealth how and after what manner the said John S Lowry came to his death do say that, in their opinion from such evidence as they could obtain, especially from a post mortem examination of the body of the deceased, made by several leading physicians of the City of Titusville aforesaid to wit: Wm Varian M.D., M. C. Dunigan M.D., T. F. Oakes M.D., G. W. Barr M.D., and Geo. O. Moody M.D. the said John S. Lowrey came to his death at about 2 o'clock P.M. Feby 10 1873 by an excessive amount of morphine administered to him by his physician Thos. P. Kephart M.D. in the early hours of the morning of the said day, and that the said physician, though present at the bedside at of the said John S Lowry when he commenced to sink into a comatose condition at about a quarter past eight o clock on the said morning, neglected in proper season to administer any antidote to the said Lowry, to destroy the poisonous effects of the morphine. [¶] In witness whereof as well the aforesaid Coroner as the jurors aforesaid have to this inquisition put their hand and seal this 12th day of February A D 1873. ” Bill of costs for eight [unnamed] witnesses.

Ct.QS #81 April Session 1873 Inquest held on the dead body of Micheal [sic] Slatery, filed 11 Oct. 1872; 19 April 1873, The Court adjudge that there was reasonable cause for holding said inquest and approve the same: Commonwelth [sic] of Pennsylvena/Crawford County SS Inquasetion indented and taking at Centrevill in Crawford County on 4 day of Oct 1872 before Henry Noble Justice of the Pece & Coroner of the County aforesaid [careted:] no Coroner in the County upon view of the boddy of Michel Slatery then and there lying dead upon the oaths Hary Fish [signed Harey or Harvy Fish], William McCalmont, A Peetes [signed A. M. Peters], C W Roades [signed C W Rhodes], Geoge Allan [signed D M Allan], Thomes Mayenerd [signed Thomes(?) Maynerd] good and lawful men of the County aforesaid who being sworn to inquire on the part of this Commonweth when and where upon and after what manner the said Michel Slatery came to his death do say upon there oathes that said Michel Slatery came to his dath by acidntelaly folling from the cares [railroad cars] while in motion on the night of Octobe 3d 1872 in said Centreville in the County aforesaid [¶] In Witness wher of as well the aforesaid Coroner as the Jueres aforesaid have to this inqusation put ther hands and seles on this day and year and at this place above mentione.”

Ct.QS #84 April Session 1873 Inquest held on the dead body of James Johnston late of the Boro of Woodcock, filed 21 Oct. 1872; 24 April 1873, The Court after due consideration of the within proceedings adjudge that there was not reasonable cause for holding the said inquest and do not approve the same: “Crawford County Ss. An inquisition indented, taken at the house of James Johnston at the Boro of Woodcock in the County of Crawford the 2d day of Oct. AD. 1872 Before Daniel Rupert Coroner of the County aforesaid, upon the view of the body of said James Johnston then and there lying dead upon the oaths of C. T. Cummings foreman, and Henry Strauss, Jacob Ritter, B. F. Wales, David Powell, and A. E. Leffingwell Good and lawful men of the County aforesaid, who being sworn and charged to enquire, on the part of the Commonwealth, where, when, and how, and after what manner the said James Johnston came to his death, do say upon their oaths that the said James Johnston not having God before his eyes, but being seduced and moved by the instigation of the Devil at his house aforesaid in the stairway of said house did about the hour of Twelve of the clock noon, on the First day of Ocgtober 1872 being then and there alone with a certain rope or cord of the value of six cents, the ends of which were tied to a post immediately above said stairway, and the middle of said rope forming a loop around his neck, himself then and there with the cord aforesaid voluntarily and feloniously and of his malice forethought hanged and suffocated, and so the Jurors aforesaid upon their oaths aforesaid, say that the said James Johnston then and there in manner and form aforesaid as a fellon of himself feloniously, voluntarily and of his molice forethought himself killed, strangled and murdered against the Peace &c. ”Certified by Daniel Rupert, J.P., acting as Coroner, at the boro of Woodcock 2 Oct. 1872.

Ct.QS January Session 1874 Inquisition indented and taken at Titusville on the 30th day of Nov A D 1873 before John S Tracy J P and acting Coroner upon view of the body of Edwin W Stratton; bill of costs mentions six [unnamed] witnesses; 8 Jan. 1874, The within proceeding or inquest by Justice Tracy in the City of Titusville were submitted to the Court of Quarter Sessions of the proper County and the said Court adjudged that there was reasonable cause for holding said inquest and approve the same; 8 Jan. 1874, costs cty to Co Comrs: “Commonwealth of Pennsylvania/Crawford County ss An inquisition indented and taken at Titusville in the County of Crawford the 30th day of November A D 1873 before me John S Tracy Justice of the Peace and acting Coroner of the County aforesaid upon the of the body Edward of Edwin Wright Stratton then and there lying dead upon the oaths of E P Hastings, Z Martin, George G Shamburgh, L Loeb, Henry Bower, & D P Bucklin who being duly sworn to inquire on the part of the Commonwealth, when, where, how, and after what manner the said E[d]win W Stratton came to his death, do say upon their oaths, after hearing all the evidence in the case, that the said Edwin W Stratton came to his death on the 30th day of November 1873 at 7½ oclock A M. at his residence in the city of Titusville, by severing the arteries of his neck with a razor held by his own hand. Said act committed while laboring under temporary insanity In witness whereof as well the aforeaid Coroner as the Jurors have to this inquisition put their hands and seals on the day and year and at the place first above mentioned.”

Ct.QS January Session 1874 Inquisition indented and taken at Titusville in this County of Crawford on the 11th day of December A D 1873 before me John S Tracy J P and acting Coroner upon the view of Peter D Coffee then and there lying dead; [inside:] 9 Jan. 1874, The within proceedings or inquest by Justice Tracy in the City of Titusville were submited to the Court of Quarter Sessions of the proper County and the said Court adjudge that there was not reasonable cause for holding said inquest and do not approve the same; 9 Jan. 1874, costs cty to Co Comrs; bill of costs shows twelve [unnamed] witnesses summoned: “Commonwealth of Penna/County of Crawford s.s. An inquisition indented and taken at Titusville in the County of Crawford and State of Pennsylvania the eleventh day of December A.D. 1873 before me John S. Tracy a Justice of the Peace of the county aforesaid, acting Coroner, upon the view of the body of Peter D. Coffey then and there lying daed, upon the oaths of Samuel S. Smith, John O Neill, W. W. Russ, Archie Johnson [signed Archie Johnston], A. L. Holt, and John Keown good and lawful men of the county aforesaid, who being sworn to inquire on the part of the Commonwealth, when where, how and after what manner the said Peter D. Coffey came to his death do say upon their oaths that the said Peter D. Coffey came to his death on the eleventh day of December A.D. 1873 between the hours of one oclock A.M. and seven oclock A.M. of the said day at the Monroe House in city of Titusville County and State aforesaid by congestion of the brain induced or brought on by causes to the said Coroner and Jurors unknown In witness whereof as well the aforesaid Coroner as the Jorors aforesaid have to this Inquisiton put their hands and seals on the day and year and at the place first above mentioned. ” “Crawford County ss Before me personally came John S Tracy Esq of the City of Titusville who says that before summoning the Jury inquest on the body of Peter D Coffey the within mentioned deceased he the said John S Tracy acting as Coroner went to view the condition of deceased to determin as to the necessity of summoning the Jury and upon said view there were marks of extreme violence apparant which satisfied me of the propriety and necessity of holding said inquisition The body shows marks of considerable violence upon the face and head very recently inflicted which might be sufficient to cause death”; signed John S. Tracy J.P.; ack. 8 Jan. 1874 before John F. Morris, Prothonotary.

Ct.QS January Session 1874 Inquisition indented and taken on the dead bo[d]y of Charles Nelson found dead in the City of Titusville; filed 13 Jan. 1874; 13 Jan. 1874, The within proceeding or Inquest by Justice Tracy [sic] in the City of Titusville were submited to the Court of Quarter Sessions of the proper County and the said Court adjudged that there was reasonable cause for holding the said inquest and approve the same; 14 Jan. 1874, costs cty to Co Comrs: “Commonwealth of Pennsylvania/County of Crawford An inquisition taken and indented at the City of Titusville in the Year of our Lord A D. 1873 before me H. S. Perry, J.P. and acting Coroner of the County aforesaid upon the view of the body of Charles Nelson then & there lieing dead, upon the Oaths of James H. Davis [foreman], A. H. Peck, Jacob Straus [signed Jacob Strauss], Henry Isham [signed J Henry Isham], Z. Waid [signed Zephaniah Waid], M. A. McDonald six good and lawful men of the County aforesaid, who being sworn to inquire on the part of the Commonwealth when, where, & how and after what manner the said Charles Nelson came to his death, do say that the said Nelson came to his Death on the 26th day of Dec. 1873 by being violently pushed or thrown from the floor of the St Johns Hotell in Titusville aforesaid to the brick sidewalk in front of the said Hotell by one Edward Hallingreen thereby fracturing his skull & causing death within twenty hours after the occurrence[.] In witness whereof, as well the aforesaid Coroner as the Jurors aforesaid have to this inquisition put their hands & seals on the day and year aforesaid. ” Bill of costs shows 21 [unnamed] witnesses.

See also #26 Jan. Session 1874: Edward Holengreen yeoman; indictment for manslaughter upon Charles Nilson at Titusville 25 Dec. 1873, giving him a mortal wound on the back of his head from which he died 26 Dec. 1873; not a true bill. Transcript certified by H. S. Perry, J.P., shows witnesses at inquest: Reinhart Miller, M. R. Rouse, Edward Hollingreen, Frank Weed, Jacob D. Kifer, Amos Breed, John Thomas, Fred Bergeman, Chris Anderson, A. Hollenburg, Albert Martin, (as interpretor) Albert Palmer, C. Paulson, David Sanbrum, Chas. Carson, Dr. T. F Oaks, Dr Geo. O. Moody, Dr. J. L. Dunn, Victor S. Benedict & S. H. Carpenter. ” [See inquest, below.]

Ct.QS January Session 1874 Inquisition indented and taken on the dead body of Bryam [sic] Shanahan found dead; filed 13 Jan. 1874; 13 Jan. 1874, The within proceeding or inquest by Justice Perry in the City of Titusville were submitted to the Court of Quarter Sessions of the proper County and the said Court adjudge that there was reasonable cause for holding said inquest and approve the same; 14 Jan. 1874, costs cty to Co Comrs: “Commonwealth of Penna/Crawford County Ss January 23, 1873 [¶] Held an inquest over the dead body of Bryan Shanahan lying at the house of John Keowen, in the City of Titusville, Crawford County; Summons issued to John Doherty Constable for the following named persons to serve on a Jury, viz Charles W. Hull, Patrick Woodwin, George A. W. Tarr, S. Shipman, Thos Buckly, & Jacob Theobold, six good and lawful men & citizens of the city of Titusville[;] Patrick Goodwin appointed Foreman, and sworn, and the other Jurors having been duly sworn. The conductor, Engineer & fireman of Train No 6 of the Oil Creek R R were called and sworn as witnesses, Dr J. L. Dunn called upon to make a post mortum examination. The Jury return the following verdict, ‘That they find on a careful examination and inquiry that the said Bryan Shanahan came to his death by being run over by train No 6, of the O.C. & A.V. RailRoad, while lying on the track of said Rail Road (in a fit as it is supposed) near Grays Switch, on the evening of January 22, 1873. And we the Jurors believe, that the employees of said R.R. Co. in charge of said train are blameless, and that the death of said Bryan Shanahan was purely accidental. Signed H Perry JP Acting Coroner, Patrick Goodwin Foreman, Geo A W Tarr (his mark), Chas W. Hull, S. Shipman, Thos Buckly, Jacob Theobold.” “Commonwealth of Pennsylvania/County of Crawford Ss&nsp; An inquisition indented and taken at Titusville in the County of Crawford, the 23rd day of January AD 1873 before H. S. Perry a Justice of teh Peace, and acting Coroner in and for said County, upon the view of the body of of [sic] Bryan Shanahan, then and there lying dead, upon the oaths of Solomon Shipman [signed S. Shipman], Jacob Theobod [signed Jacob Theobald], George A. W. Tarr [his mark], Charles W. Hall [or Hull], Thos Buckly [signed Thos Buckley(?)] and Patrick Goodwin [foreman], Good and lawful men of the City and County aforesaid, who being sworn on the part of the Commonwealth where, when and how and after what manner the said Bryan Shanahan came to his death do say upon their oath that they find on careful inquiry that the said Bryan Shanahan came to his death by being run over by train No 6" of the O.C. & A V. Railroad, while lying on the tracks of said R.R. Co. (in a fit as is supposed) near Grays switch, on the evening of January 22, 1872, and the we the Jurors believe the employees of said R.R. Co. in charge of said train are blameless, and that the death of the said Bryan Shanahan was purely accidental.”

Ct.QS #62 August Session 1874 Inquisition of suden death upon view of the body of Addison Wolsey at the City of Titusville in Crawford County; 4 Aug. 1874, filed in open Court; 18 Aug. 1874, The within proceedings were submitted to the Court of Quarter Sessions of the proper County and said court adjudge that there was reasonable cause for holding said inquest and approve the same; 18 Aug. 1874, costs certified to Comrs.; bill of costs shows ten (unnamed) witnesses), Dr. Geo O Moody for examining the body: “Commonwealth of Pennsylvania/Crawford County ss An inquisition indented and taken at the City of Titusville in the County of Crawford Pennsylvania the thirtieth day of July one thousand eight hundred and seventy four (1874) before me John S Tracy acting Coroner of said County of Crawford upon view of the body of Addison Woolsey then and there lying dead; upon the oaths of Samuel Minor, Marinus N Allen [signed M. N. Allen], Joseph A Neill [signed J. A. Neill], Lewis P Scoville, James W Jenkins and William Davidson good and lawful men of the County aforesaid, who being sworn to inquire on the part of the Commonwealth, when, where, how and after what manner the said Addison Woolsey came to his death, so day upon their oaths 1. That said Addison Woolsey came to his death between the hours of eleven o'clock P M of July twenty eighth (28th) Eighteen hundred and seventy four (1874) and eight o'clock A M of July thirtieth (30th) eighteen hundred seventy four (1874) in the house of Alfred H Bronson at the junction of Union and Perry Streets in said Titusville, said house not being occupied by a family or any person except said Woolsey who lodged there regularly and said Bronson who lodged there when in town over night which was occasionally. Second. That said Woolsey came to his death at said house between the hours above stated from the effects of chloroform then and there administered to him by inhalation. 3. Third. That said chloroform was thus administered by said Addison Woolsey himself for the purpose of relieving pain and inducing sleep and not by any other person or for any other purpose. [¶] And so the jurors aforesaid upon their oaths aforesaid say: that the aforesaid Addison Woolsey by accident, in manner and form and by means aforesaid, then and there came to his death and not otherwise. [¶] In witness whereof, as well the aforesaid Coroner as the jurors aforesaid have to his inquisition put their hands and seals, on the day and year and at the place first above mentioned.”

Ct.QS #63 August Session 1874 Inquest held on the dead body of Keturah Becker found lying dead in the City of Titusville; filed 18 Aug. 1874: “Commonwealth of Pennsylvania/Crawford County S.S. An inquisition indented and taken at the City of Titusville County of Crawford, the fifteenth day of August in the year our Lord One Thousand Eight hundred and Seventy Four, before me, Simon Strouse, one of the Justices of the Peace in & for the County aforesaid as acting Coroner, upon the view of the body of Keturah Becker daughter of Marvin Becker then and there lying daed, upon the oaths of Henry E Wrigley [foreman], John Meising, Z. B. Burdick, H. E. Foy [or Fay], Peter Kline [signed P Kline] and S. Buell [signed S Buel], good and lawful men of the County aforesaid, who being sworn to inquire, on the part of the Commonwealth, when, where, how and after manner the said Keturah Becker came to her death do say upon their oath and upon the hearing the evidence of Dr M. Bailey, Hiram Newton, Mrs Ephraim Ralph, Ephraim Ralph, Dr Levan, Wm Corwin, that the said Keturah Becker came to her death by accidentally falling in a large water basin, situated in Ralphs’ Bathhouse on Arch Street, and being no one around at the time it happened, the child was drowned; [¶] In witness whereof, as well the aforesaid acting Coroner as the Jurors aforesaid, have to this inquisition put their hands and seals on the day & year and at the place first above mentioned.”

Ct.QS #63 November Session 1874 Inquiry held on the dead body of Hugh Brown found lying dead three miles below Cochranton; filed 8 Dec. 1874; 10 Dec. 1874, This case being submitted to the Court, it is adjudged that there was reasonable cause for holding the inquest, & it is approved: “Commonwealth of Pennsylvania/County of Crawford S.S. An inquisition indented and taken at the Township of Wayne, in the County of Crawford, the 27th day of Nov. 1874 before me, John H. Adams one of the Justices of the Peace being more than ten miles distant from the Coroner for said County upon the view of the body of Hugh Brown then and there lying dead upon the oaths of Hugh Smith, Robert Heath, Alexander Patton, M. H. McComb, Hugh Cargo, and Quimby Hays, good and lawful men of the County aforesaid, who being sworn to inquire, on the part of the Commonwealth, when, how, where, and after what manner of the said Hugh Brown, came to his death do say upon their oaths that the said Hugh Brown, on the 27th day of November in the year aforesaid at the Township of Wayne, and in the aforesaid County of Crawford, at the farm on which he the said Hugh Brown resided, was found dead, that he was slightly bruised about the face, apparently from having fallen on the ground, where he was found, and the body viewed. That there were no other marks of violence appearing about his body, and that he died by the visitation of God in a natural way, and not otherwise. [¶] In witness whereof as well the aforesaid Justice as the Jurors aforesaid have to this inquisition put their hands and seals on the day and year and at the place first above mentioned.”

Ct.QS January Session 1875 Inquisition held on the dead body of John Reed found dead in West Fallowfield Tp; filed 19 Feb. 1874; 13 Jan. 1875, This case came on for hearing and the Court being satisfied that there was reasonable cause for holding the inquest do approve of the same; costs cty to coms. – Bill disaproved [sic] & the same was mailed to D Russell: “Commonwealth of Penna/Crawford Co S S an inquisition indented and taken at the residence of Wm Kilpatric in the Co. of Crawford the 10th day of Feby A.D. 1874 Before me David Russell Esq. actg coroner of the Co. aforesaid upon the view of the body of John Reed then and there lying dead upon the oaths of R C McMaster, W S Andrews, H B Andrews, T M Baird, Wm Baird [signed W. R. Baird], and Calvin [signed S Calvin] good and lawful men of the Co aforesaid, who being sworn to inquire on the part of the commonwealth when, where, how, and after what manner the said John Reed came to his death, do say upon their oaths, That we have found no marks of violence upon the person [“body” written above] of the decd, that in accordance with the testimony before us taken that the decd came to his death by the excessive use of intoxicating liquors In witness whereof as well the aforesaid acting coroner as the Jurors aforesaid have to this inquisiton put their hands and seals on the day and year and at the place first above mentioned.”

Ct.QS January Session 1875 Inquisition indented and taken on the 6" day of January 1875 upon the view of the body of Lewis Smith in the City of Titusville; filed 14 Feb. 1875; 17 Feb. 1875, It is adjudged by the Court that there was no reasonable cause for holding an inquest in this case; “Inquisition indented and taken at the city of Titusville, County of Crawford and State of Pennsylvania, the Twenty Sixth day of January AD 1875, before me, Simon Strouse, Esqr., Justice of the Peace in and for the said County, as acting Coroner, upon the view of the body of Lewis Smith, then and there lying dead, upon the oaths of S. T. Porter [foreman], A. F. F Lima, David Foster, Peter Kline, R. N. R. Phelps [signed Richard N. R. Phelps], and Joseph Davis [signed J. Davis], good and lawful men of the County aforesaid, who being sworn to inquire on the part of the Commonwealth, when, where, how and after what manner the said Lewis Smith came to his death, do say, upon their oaths and upon the oaths of the following Witnesses to wit: John Boyl, Arthur McGahey, M Bailey, MD, W. T. Capes, William Hogan, & Dr T. F. Oakes, that the said Lewis Smith came to his death from Strangulation resulting from the lodgment of a piece of raw beef of the weight of one and three quarter ounces in the windpipe: [¶] In witness whereof, as well the aforesaid acting Coroner as the Jurors aforesaid, have to this inquisition put their hands and seals on the day and year and at the place first above mentioned. ” Affidavit [in the handwriting of Simon Strouse]: “Crawford County S.S. [¶] Before me A. J. McQuiston, Clerc of the Court of quarter Sessions in and for the said County, personally appeared Simon Strouse Esqr, who being duly sworn according to law doth depose and say, that he is an acting Justice of the Peace at the City of Titusville, County aforesaid, and that by virtue of his official capacity, was called on, on the 26" day of January AD 1875, to hold an inquisition on the body of Lewis Smith, then & there lying dead, the public opinion prevailed, that said Lewis Smith came to his death by Poison administered to him while in a Saloon, even by hearing the evidence of our Dr Morris Bailey, the Jury declined to render a verdict, without having a postmortum examination, and demanded of me, as acting Coroner, to have a medical Doctor to hold a postmortum examination, in order to find out if said Lewis Smith was actually poisoned or not, and further saith not.”; signed Simon Strouse; ack. 2 March 1875 before A. J. McQuiston, clerk.

Ct.QS #68 August Session 1875 Inquisition held by John Bole as Justice of the Peace of Venango Tp on the body of Hannah C L Homan; filed 17 Sept. 1875; 6 Oct. 1875, The court find that there was reasonable cause for holding the inquest & do approve of the holding of the same: “Venango august 21st 1875/Crawford County SS Greeting/the Commonwealth of Penna/To the Honorable Judges of the Courts of Common please oyer and Terminor of Crawford County [¶] we the undersigned citizens of Venango and Casawago Townships ware duly summoned by John Bole a Justice of the peace in said Venango Township to hold an inquest on the Body of Hanah C L. Homan of said Venango township [¶] and the Jurors after hearing the proofs and all the allegations of all the matters in the above domicile have decided that Mrs Hanah C L Homan came to her death by premeditated self murder by hanging her self with a rope in the night time when the family ware all in bed a sleep and further saith not [signed] John Quay one man, T. J. Blystone, Ira Hall, Jacob Blystone, Wm H Hayes, Heindrich Helmbrecht, John Bole, J.P. Dr Robert Clark of Venangoborro was duly sworn & testafies that she came to her death by hanging by the neck no other marks of violence being visable [signed] Robert Clark” Bill of costs indicated seven [unnamed] witnesses.

Ct.QS #34 January Session 1876 Inquisition on the body of Willis L. Palmer; filed 7 Jan. 1876; 18 Jan. 1876, a transcript of the proceeding on Inquest within having been submitted to the Court of Quarter Sessions of the proper County and said Court do adjudge that there was a reasonable cause for holding the said inquest and approve the same; “Commonwealth of Pennsylvania | Crawford County, SS: An inquisition indented, taken at the house of Henry Rickard, in the township of Hayfield and county of Crawford, the Thirtieth day of November A.D. 185, before me, E. S. Skeel, Justice of the peace, in and for said county, acting Coroner of the said county, upon the view of the body of Willis L. Palmer, then and there lying dead, upon the oaths of Ebenezer Whipple (foreman), P. J. Beebe, C H. Ellithorp [signed Charles H. Ellithorp], Thomas Cooper, J. P. Byers, and James Johnson [signed J Johnson], who being sworn and charged to inquire on the part of the Commonwealth, when, where, how and after what manner the said Willis L. Palmer came to his death, do say upon thier [sic] oaths that the said Willis L. Palmer came to his death by the accidental discharge of a shot gun in the hands of Henry Rickard Jr. In witness whereof, as well the aforesaid Coroner, as the Jurors aforesaid, have to this inquisition put thier hands and seals, on the day and year and at the place first above mentioned.” Bill of costs for summoning & qualifying 9 [unnamed] witnesses.

Ct.QS #57 April Session 1876 Inquest on view of the Body of Peter Young before A B Edson, J.P., filed 24 Feb. 1876; 16 May 1876, examined by the court & not approved; “[pencilled note: not legal – 12 jurors] Commonwealth of Pennsylvania | County of Crawford Ss An Inquisition indented and taken at Randolph in the County of Crawford and State of Pennsylania the 21st day of February A D 1876 before me A B Edson a Justice of the Peace in said County upon the view of the Body of Peter Young then and there lying dead upon the oaths of Warren Terrill, E R Wright, C Delamater, Henry Delamater, V G Birchard, Sylvester Seman, Jessee Gage [signed Jesse Gage], D P Ploof, J L Barlow, John Hotchkiss, Smith Reccord [signed Smith Record] and H L Sykes [signed H T Sikes] sworn to inquire on the part of the Commonwealth when where and after what manner the said Peter Young came to his death: Do say upon their oaths that the said after taking the Testimony of Dr Nasin, Dr Wilson Dr Ashley and Dr Siepher and others, that the said Peter Young on the 20th day of Feby 1876 at Randolph in the county afore said in his Barn was found dead that he had no marks of violence appearing on his body sufficient to cause death and died from cases [sic] unknown to the Jury | In witness whereof the aforesaid Justice of the Peace and Jurors afore said have to this inquisition put their hands and seals on the day and year at place above mentioned.”

Ct.QS #58 April Session 1876 Inquisition on Andrew McGill, filed 24 Feb. 1876; 16 May 1876, examined and approved by the court; 18 May 1876, certified to Commissioners. “Crawford County s.s. An inquisition indented, taken at Hayfield Township in the County of Crawford, the 15th day of February 1876 before me Benjn G David, Esqr a Justice of the Peace in and for said County upon the view of the body of Andrew McGill, of said Township, then and there lying dead, upon the Oaths of Benj[ami]n Culp, Geo P Miller, Mark Dixson [signed Mark Dixon] Govt[?] C Schank [signed G. C. Schanck], D. Wilson Hunter [signed D. W. Hunter] and O W Hecker, good and lawful men of the County afforesaid, who being sworn and charged to inquire, on the part of the Commonwealth, when, where, how and after what manner the said Andrew McGill came to his death, do say, upon their oaths, that haveing viewed the dead body of the said Andrew McGill, and heard the evidence of Carrie Herrick, Tammy Peters, and Geo Terry, and also of Drs. Joseph W Scholl and Henry E Smith, (who also made a post-mor-tem examination of the body of the said Andrew in their presence,) that the said Andrew McGill, on the 15th day of February 1876 at Hayfield Township in the County afforesaid, to wit, on the farm of Mark Dixson, near the gate at the entrance to the lane leading to the barn on said farm, was found dead; that he had no marks of violence appearing on his body, and died of disease of the heart, in a natural way, and not otherwise. [¶] In testimony whereof, as well the said Justice as acting Coroner, as also the said Jurors have hereunto set their hands and seals the 15th day of Feb 1876.” Dk. 12:35, captioned “Inquest on view of the Body of A. McGill before B. G. David J.P.” – “Filed Feby 24, 1876 | May 16, 1876 Examined and approved | By the Court | Chas T. Shaw Clerk”

Ct.QS #59 April Session 1876 Inquisition on the body of Peter Young, filed 30 March 1876; 16 April 1876, examined by the court & not approved; [in pencil at top: “Not genuine – all one hand A previous?) one by Esq Edson”] “Commonwelth of Pennsylvania | Crawford County ss An inquistion indented and taken at Randolph in the county of Crawford the 20th day of Febury in the year of [torn; our?] Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventy six before me Ephraim Spring Justice of the peace in and for the said County upon the body of Peter Young then and there lying dead upon the oath of [no actual signatures] Dr Jacob Willso Moses N Gilbert [signed M N Gilbert], David O Sybrant Andrew J Owen [signed A J Owen] Leonard Delamater Thomas D Terrill [signed T D Terrill] good and lawful men of the county aforesaid who being sworn to inquire on the part of the Commonweth when where how and after what maner the said Peter Young came to his death do say upon their oath that they went to the Stable of Peter Young being about thirteen miles east of Meadvill in the Township of Randolph then and there found the body of the said Peter Young leying in very suspicius condition he had been missing from thursday the 17th inst we found no marks of violonce upon person that would cause immediat death and conclude that he came to his death by fit or causes unknown [¶] In witness wherof as well the aforesaid Justice of the peace as the Jurors aforesaid have to this set th inquisition set their hands and seals on the day and year first above written.” Dk. 12:36, captioned “Inquest on view of the Body of Peter Young before E. Spring J.P.” – “Filed March 30, 1876 | April 16, 1876 Examined and not approved | By the Court | Chas T. Shaw Clerk”

Ct.QS 60 April Session 1876 Inquisition on Abram Beatty, filed 3 April 1876; 16[?] May 1876, examined and approved by the court; 18 May 1876, certified to Commissioners; “Commonwealth of Pennsylvania | County of Crawford s.s. An inquisition indented and taken at Meadville in the County of Crawford the 16' day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventy six Before me William Pentz Justices of the peace in and for said County, upon the view of the body of the person supposed to be Abram Beaty [sic] then and there lying dead upon the oaths of Fletcher L Blackmarr, James Shartle, Elias N Cummingham, John Decker, Harrison Brink & Thomas Kinniff good and lawful men of the county aforesaid, who being duly sworn to inquire on the part of the Commonwealth when where how and after what manner the said Abram Beaty came to his death do say upon there oaths, that by the instigation of the devil at Meadville aforsaid in the county aforesaid in and upon himself then and there being in the peace of God and of the said Commonwealth, the said Abram Beaty feloniously voluntarily and of his malice of forethought made an assault and at the aforesaid Abram Beaty then and there with a certain Revolver, of the value of Five dollars which the said Abram Beaty then and there held in his left hand himself upon his breast then and there feloniously voluntarily and of his malice aforethought did shoot and gave to himself then and there with the Revolver aforesaid upon his breast aforesaid one mortal wound, of the depth of about six inches of which said mortal wound the said Abram Beaty at Meadville aforesaid in the county aforesaid on the 16' day of March 1876 of that mortal wound died and so the Jurors aforesaid upon their oaths aforesaid say that the said Abram Beaty then and there in manner aforesaid as a felon of himself feloniously voluntarily and of his malice aforethought himself killed and murdered, against the peace and dignity of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. In witness whereof the aforesaid Justices, the Coroners office being more than ten miles distance from the place where the body was found as the Jurors aforesaid have to this inquisition put their hands and seals on the day and year and at the place first above mentioned.” Bill of costs for three [unknown] witnesses. Dk. 12:36, captioned “Inquest on view of the Body of Abram Beatty before Wm Pentz J.P.” – “Filed April 3, 1876 | May 16, 1876 Examined and approved | By the Court | Chas T. Shaw Clerk”

Ct.QS #62 April Session 1876 Inquisition on the body of Jacob Hower of Hayfield Township, filed 24 May 1876; 26 May 1876, Examined by the court & approved; “Crawford County S.S. An inquisiton indented taken at Hayfield Township in the County of Crawford the 3d day of May 1876 before me B G Davis a Justice of the Peace in and for said county, upon the view of the body of Jacob Hower then and there lying dead upon the oaths of Samuel Seavy, Washington Payne [signed with his mark], Chas. E Hunter [signed C. E. Hunter], Josiah McGill, Simon Smith and Preston Gehr, good and lawful men of the County afforesaid, who being sworn and charged to inquire on the part of the Commonwealth, when, where, how and after what manner the said Jacob Hower came to his death, do say upon their oaths, that the said Jacob Hower on the 3d day of May, in the year afforesaid, at a brook, on the farm of Samuel said Jacob Hower, in the township of Hayfield, and county aforesaid, was found dead, and lying on his face, in said brook, and that there and in said brook was suffocated and drowned; of which said suffocation and drowning he the said Jacob Hower then and there instantly died. And that the said drowning was accidental, the said Jacob having fallen into the water in consequence of disease, or fits, to which he was subject [¶] And the Jurors afforesaid do say that the said Jacob Hower in manner and by misfortune came to his death and not otherwise [¶] In witness whereof as well the afforesaid Justice, acting Coroner as the Jurors afforesaid have to this inquisition put their seals on the day and year and at the place first above mentioned.” Witnesses examined: Samuel Hower, Sarah Spitler, Samuel Peters. Dk. 12:37, captioned “Inquest on iew of the Body of Jacob Hower before B. G. David J.P.” – “Filed May 24, 1876 | May 26, 1876 Examined and approved | By the Court | Chas T. Shaw Clerk”

Ct.QS #63 April Session 1876 Inquest in case of Sarah Peelman found dead in City of Meadville, filed 31 July 1876; same day this inquisition is read by the Court & it is adjudged that there was reasonable cause for holding the same & it is approved; “Commonwealth of Pennsylvania/Crawford County SS An inquisition indented and taken at the City of Meadville in the County of Crawford the 28th day of June the 3d day of July A D 18765, before me J. H. Hannen one of the Justices of the Peace in and for said County, it being more than ten miles distant from the office of the coroner of said County, upon the view of the body of Sarah Peelman found lying dead in a room at her husbands dwelling at No 488 Limber road City of Meadville, upon the oaths of D. R. Greenle [signed D R Greenlee], J D Roberts, J. B. Compton [signed John B. Compton], Peter Ford, C. H. Barnes, & Chas. Brawley [signed C M Brawley] good and lawful men of the County aforesaid, who being duly sworn to inquire on the part of the Commonwealth, when, where, how and after what manner the said Sarah Peelman came to her death, do say upon their oaths, that the said Sarah Peelman came to her death by an attempt to commit an abortion, at the place aforesaid, on the 27th day of June A D 1876.” They also find that the said Sarah Peelman had been taking medicine purchased at a Drug store, and had also been using some kind of instrument for the purpose aforesaid, and that while attempting to consumate said abortion, being pregnant with twin children as shown by a post mortem examination, she came to her death, and so the jurors aforesaid upon their oaths do say that the said Sarah Peelman then and there, in manner aforesaid, came to her death and not otherwise. [¶] In witness whereof, the Justice & Jurors aforesaid have to this inquisition put their hands & seals, on the 3d day of July A D 1876 at the City of Meadville.” Bill of costs shows eight [unnamed] witnesses; “The post mortem examination was made by Dr J. H. Chase, assisted by D R Greenlee M D and C. D. Ashley, MD. Dr Chase is the County Physician, and I am instructed by him, to file no costs for his services, as they have been otherwise arranged.” Dk. 12:37, captioned “Inquest of view of the Body of Sarah Peelman before J. W. Hannen J.P.” – “Filed July 31, 1876 | Same day this inquisition is read by the Court and it is adjudged that there was reasonable cause for holding the Same and it is approved | By the Court | Chas T. Shaw clerk”

Ct.QS #79 August Session 1876 Inquisition on the body of Charles Walters, filed 18 Aug. 1876; 23 Aug. 1876, the within proceedings of inquest were submitted to the Court of Quarter Sessions of the proper County and said Court do adjudge that there was reasonable cause for holding said inquest and approve the same; 31 Aug. 1876, certified to Commissioners; “Commonwealth of Pennsylvania/Crawford County SS An inqusition indented and taken at the house of John Walters in Wane [sic] Township in the county of Crawford the 25th day of June in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and seventy six before me Edward Dickson a Justice of the Peace in the county aforesaid it being more than ten miles to the office of the Coroner of said County upon the view of the body of Charles Walters then and there lying dead upon the oath of George Neunamacher [signed George H. Nunemacher] Horace P Cowell Louis Luce [signed Lewis Luce] Peter Bogardis E J Hall and John Smith [signed in German, Johannes Schmit] good and lawfull men of the county aforesaid who being sworn to enquire on the part of the Commonwealth when and where how and after what maner the said Charles Walters came to his death do say upon their oath that the said Charles Walters came to his death by hanging himself by the neck with a haulter strap tied to the ladder in the barn of John Walters on the 25th day of June 1876 [¶] In witness whereof as well the aforesaid Justice as the Jurors aforesaid have to this inquisition but their hand and seal on the day and year and at the place first above mentioned.” Bill of costs for two witnesses. Dk. 12:60, captioned “Inquisition on view of the body of Chas. Walters bedfore Edward Dickson J.P.” – “August 18, 1876 Filed | [ditto marks, i.e., August 23, 1876] The within procedings of inquest were Submitted to the Court of Quarter Sessions of the proper County and Said Court do adjudge that there was reasonable cause for holding Said inquest and approve the Same | By the court | Chas T. Shaw Clerk”

Ct.QS #80 August Session 1876 Inquisition on the body of Philetas Purse; 23 Aug. 1876, The within proceedings having been submitted to the Court of Quarter Sessions of the proper County and said Court do adjudge that there was reasonable cause for holding said inquest and approve the same; 31 Aug. 1876, certified to Commissioners; “Commonwealth of Pennsylvania | Crawford County S S An inquisition indented and taken at Hayfield in the county of Crawford the 13th day of July A D 1876 before me E S. Skeel one of the Justices of the Peace in and for the said county it being more than ten miles distance from the office of the coroner of said county upon the view of the body of Philetus Purse found hanging dead in his barn in said Hayfield upon the oaths of Harrison Wasson, John Lattimer [signed John L Lattimer], Martin Farrington [signed Martin Ferington], George N Woodard, Homer C. Moore [signed H. C. Moore] and Thomas Morris [signed T. F. Morris], good and lawful men of the county aforesaid who being duly sworn to inquire on the part of the Commonwealth when, where, how and after what manner the said Philetus Purse came to his death doe say, upon there oaths that the said Philetus Purse came to his death by hanging himself with a rope one end of which was by him tied to a timber in the scaffold over the barn floor and the other end put around his neck which caused his death by suffocation, on the 14th day of July A D 1876 They also find that he had attempted to take his own life by beating his head against the end of an iron beam plow in the said barn on same day and immediately before he came to his death as above recited. They also find that the aforesaid Philetus Purse on the day of his death and for two weeks previous was a person of insane mind, and so the Jurors aforesaid upon there oaths doe say that Philetus Purse then and there in the manner aforesaid came to his death, and not otherwise. In witness whereof the Justice and Jurors aforesaid have to this inquisition put there hands and seals on the 13th day of July A D 1876 at Hayfield.” Dk. 12:60, captioned “Inquest on view of the body of Philetus Purse before E. S. Skeel J.P.” – “Aug 23, 1876 Filed | And now Aug 23, 1876 The within proceedings having been Submitted to the Court of Quarter Sessions of the proper County and said Court do adjudge that there was reasonable cause for holding Said inquest and approve the Same | By the Court | Chas T. Shaw Clerk”

Ct.QS #81 August Session 1876 An inquisition held at Guys Mills upon the body of Ward B. Guy before Justice Wm. G. Coburn, filed 21 Aug. 1876; 23 Aug. 1876, the within proceedings of Inquest were submitted to the Court of Quarter Sessions of the proper County and the said Court do adjudge that there was no reasonable cause for holding and the said inquest and do not approve the same; “Commonwealth of Pennsylvania | Crawford County SS. An inquisition indented and taken at Guys Mills in the county of Crawford the 15th day of August A.D. 1876 before me Wm. G Coburn, one of the Justice of the peace in and for said County, it being more than ten miles from the Office of the Coroner of said county upon the view of the body of Ward B. Guy, found lying dead in his bed room, in the Dovers[?] Hotel kept by A Guy, The Brother of the deceased, At Guys Mills, Randolph township, upon the Oaths of Dr Don E Ashley, K. S. Smith, Hiram E Hatch [signed H. E. Hatch], Frank Waid [signed F. W. Waid], D. T. Hall [signed David T Hall] and O. J. Coburn good and lawful men of the county aforesaid who being duly sworn to inquire on the part of the Commonwealth when, where, how and after what manner the said Ward B. Guy came to his death do say upon their oaths that the said Ward B Guy came to his death, on the night of the 14th or in the morning of the 15th of August on his bed, in his bedroom, in the house of Augustus Guys, at Guys Mills, was found dead, that he had no mark of violence appearing about his body and died by the visitation of God in a natural way and not otherwise [¶] In witness whereof, as well the Justice as the Jurors aforesaid have to this Inquisition put their hands and seals on the day and year and at the place first above written." B/C four [unnamed] witnesses. Dk. 12:60, captioned “Inquest on view of the body of Mead B. Grey before Wm G. Coburn J.P.” – “August 21, 1876 Filed | And now Aug 23, 1876 The within proceedings of inquest were Submitted to the Court of Quarter Sessions of the proper County and the Said Court do adjudge that there was no reasonable cause for holding the Said inquest and do not approve the Same | By the Court | Chas T. Shaw Clerk”

Ct.QS #3 November Session 1876 Coroners Inquisition on Body of Thomas P Breakiron, filed 27 Nov. 1876; [inside] 19 Dec. 1876, the withing proceedings of inquest having been submited to the Court of Quarter Sessions of the proper County and the said Court do adjudge that there was reasonable cause for the Inquests & approve the pr[oc?]eding; 27 Dec. 1876, certified to Commissioners; “Commonwealth of Penna | Crawford County ss&nsp; An Inquisition indented and taken at the Fourth Ward of the City of Meadville in said County this 4" day of November A D 1876 before R C Frey J P acting as Coroner upon the body of Thomas P Breakiron then and there lying dead upon the oaths of J D Gill Adam Orris A Blum S. J. Davis, Solomon Goldtine [signed S Goldstine] and William C Hay six good and lawful men of the County who being sworn to inquire how and in what manner the said Thomas P Breakiron came to his death, do find that the said Thomas P Breakiron came to his death on the night of the Third day of November AD 1876 from a concussion of the brain caused by a wound and fracture of the skull on the posterior part of the head, occasion by a fall upon the pavement, and that said fall was accidental and not a result of violence by any one [¶] In witness whereof as well the said coroner as the said Jurors have to this inquisition set their hands and sealls this sixth day of November AD 1876 at the place above mentioned.” Bill of costs shows Dr S S Porter, $10 for post mortem examination, and eight [unnamed] witnesses sworn. Dk. 12:61, captioned “Inquest on view of the body of Thomas P. Breakiron before R. C. Frey J.P.” – “Nov 27, 1876 Filed | And now Dec 19, 1876 The within proceeding of inquest having been submitted to the Court of Quarter Sessions of the proper Cuonty and the said Court do adjudge that there was reasonable cause for the Inquest and approve the findings Per Cur | Chas T. Shaw– Clerk”

Ct.QS #4 November Session 1876 19 Dec. 1876, the within proceedings of inquest having been submited to the Court of Quarter Sessions of the proper county and the said Court do adjudge that there was no reason for the Inquest & therefore do not approve of the holding[?]; reconsidered 7 Jan. 1878 and sufficient occasion appearing the same is approved; 8 Jan. 1878, costs certified to Commissioners; “Commonwealth of Pennsylvania | Crawford County, SS An Inqusiton [sic] Indented and taken at Rockdale in the County of Crawford the eleventh day of Dec AD 1876 before me Charles T Holcomb one of the Justices of the Peace of the County afforesaid uppon the view of the boddy of Oliver Alforol then and there laying dead uppon the oaths of William Porter [foreman]: Jiru S Brown [signed J S Brown], Daniel Mcqueen, Spencer Sabin, M. H. Spencer, Chancy Brown, Hiram Cline, Cyrus Palmer [signed C A Palmer], Frank Quay, A. P. Boyol, Phillip Rush, Frank Spencer, good and lawful men of the County afforesaid who being duly sworn accordin to law to inquire on the part of the Commonwealth when where how and after what manner the said Oliver Alford came to death do say that he came to his death from Faleage and Exposure to the inclemancy of the weather.” Dk. 12:61, captioned “Inquest on view of the body of Oliver Alford before Chas T. Holcomb JP” – “December 19, 1877– filed and the within proceedings of inquest having been submitted to the Court of Quarter Sessions of the proper County and the said Court do adjudge that there was no occasion for the inquest therefore does not approve of the finding | Per Cur | Chas T. Shaw Clerk | January 7, 1877 Reconsidered and sufficient occasion appearing the same is approved | Per Cur | Chas T. Shaw Clerk”

Ct.QS #76 Session 1877 Inquisition on the body of Mary Geary found dead in Mead Tp; 29 Jan. 1877, the within proceedings submitted to this Court and upon examination thereof it is adjudged that there was reasonable cause for holding said inquest & therefore approve the same; “Commonwealth of Pennsylvania | Crawford County SS Inquisition indented and taken before J W Hannen one of the Justices of the Peace in and for said County on view of the body of Mary Geary found lying dead in Mead Township on the road leading from Meads Mill to Simeon Smiths on the 25th day of January A D 1877 in Mead it being more than 10 miles distant from the office of the Coroner of said County, said inquisition being taken on the oaths of James F Frazier, Charles Brawley [signed C M Brawley], Harvey Hatch [signed H A Hatch], Liberty Leonard, Martin Gerdon, Simeon Smith, six good and lawful men of said County, who being sworn to inquire on the part of the Commonwealth how, when, where and after what manner the said Mary Geary, then and there lying dead, at the place aforesaid, came to her death, on their oaths do say, after hearing the evidence, that the said Mary Geary came to her death by freeezing on the night of the 24th day of Jany 1877 while travelling on said raod it being unbroken only a foot path through the same, and she being as the Jury believe partialy insane, became bewildered, and being overcome by the cold was frozen to death. And so the Jurors aforesaid say that the said Mary Geary came to her death in manner aforesaid and not otherwise. [¶] In witness whereof the Justice and Jurors have hereto set their hands and seals this 25th day of January A D 1877.” Bill of costs shows Jas. S. Chase, M.D., $10 for examining body. Dk. 12:88, captioned “Inquest on view of the body of Mary Geary before J. W. Hannen J.P.” – “Filed January 29, 1877 And the within proceedings submitted to the Court and upon examination thereof it is adjudged that there was reasonable cause for holding said inquest and therefore approve the same | By the Court | Chas T. Shaw Clerk”

Ct.QS #79 Jan. Session 1877 Inquest on view of the body of James Downs, before B. G. David, J.P., 2 April 1877, filed 2 April 1877; 6[?] April 1877, the Court being of opinion that there was reasonable cause for holding the within inquest approve of the same; “Crawford County S.S. An inquisition, taken at Saegertown in the County of Crawford on the 2nd day of April, 1877, before me B. G. David, a Justice of the peace in and for said County, upon the view of the body of James Downs then and there lying dead upon the oaths of Charles Heiste [signed C. H. Heist], Wilson Hunter, John Renner, John Seavy, W W Deichman and L K Floyd, good and lawful men of the County afforesaid, who being sworn and charged to inquire, on the part of the Commonwealth, when, where, how and after what manner the said Jas. Downs came to his death, do say upon their oath that the said James Downs is a lad of about fourteen years of age, that he is the son of Mike Downs of Union City, that the said James Downs on the morning of the day and year afforesaid attempted to get on Freight Train No 36 of the A & G W R.R. at their depot at Saegertown when he accidently fell and was then and there run over and killed by the cars. And so the Jurors afforesaid do say that the said James Downs in manner and by misfortune, came to his death and not otherwise. [¶] In witness whereof, as well the aforesaid Justice (acting Coroner) as the Jurors afforesaid have to this inquisition put their seals on the day and year and at the place first above mentioned.” Dk. 12:89, captioned “Inquest on view of the body of James Downs before G. G. David J.P. April 2d 1877” – “Filed April 2d 1877 | And now April 6, 1877 the Court being of opinion that there was a reasonable cause for holding the within inquest approve of the Same | By the Court | Chas T. Shaw Clerk”

Ct.QS #52 Nov. Session 1877 Inquisition on the Body of Christian Kritz the 23' day of Sept 1877 by Smith W Wyatt JP; 16 Nov. 1877, that there was reasonable cause for holding the within inquest, the same is hereby approved; 21 Nov. 1877, costs certified to Commissioners; “State of Pennsylvania | Crawford County ss An inquisition indented and taken at the house of Christian Krietz [written over “Kratz”] in the County of Crawford the 23" day of Sept 1877 before me Smith W Wyatt J P of the County aforesaid upon the view of the body of Christian Kritz then and there lying dead upon the oaths of D P Robbins Elias Drake J H Gray George Bode Christian Hornaman and Fredrick Sanders [signed F Sanders] good and lawful men of the County aforesaid who being sworn to inquire on the part of the Commonwealth when where and how and after what manner the said Christian Kraetz came to his death do say upon their oath that the said deceased, Christian Kraetz came to his death by hemorrhage or bleeding from a cut on top of the right foot, by which a varicose vein was opened, and that said cut was inflicted by a pocket knife in the hands of the aforesaid Christian Kritz, while under the influence of alcohol. [¶] In witness whereof as well the aforesaid Justice as the Jurors aforesaid have to this inquisition put their hands and seals on the day and year and at the place first above mentioned.” Bill of costs for six [unnamed] witnesses. Dk. 12:166, captioned “Inquest on view of the body of Christian Kreitz [or Krutz?] before W. Hyatt J.P Sept 23, 1877” – “And now Nov 16, 1877 Believing that there was reasonable cause for holding the within inquest the same is hereby approved Per Cur | Chas T. Shaw clerk | Filed Nov 16, 1877 [in the margin:] Nov 21, 1877 costs certified to Com[missioner]s”

Ct.QS #53 November Session 1877 Inquisition held before M. C. Powers Esq Acting Coroner On 12" day of Nov 1877 On the dead body of James Hagerty; 16 Nov. 1877, the within report having been submitted to the Court and examined, the same is approved there seem to have been reasonable cause for holding the inquest”; 21 Nov. 1877, costs certified to Commissioners; “Commonwealth of Pennsylvania | Crawford County S.S. An inquisition indented and taken at the City of –[?] Meadville, in the County of Crawford, the twelfth day of November AD 1877, before me, M. C. Powers, one of the Justice's of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid, as acting Coroner, upon the view of the body of James Haggerty then & there lying dead at the County Jail, upon the oath’s of G H Beman [signed G H Beeman], E Northram [signed E Northam], A Boyles, C A Gilbert [signed A C Gilbert], L Raushe [signed Lewis Roueche], and W. N Alden, good and lawful men of the County aforesaid, who being duly sworn to inquire on the part of the Commonwealth, when, where, how and after what manner the said James Haggerty, came to his death, do say upon their oath and upon the evidence of Dr Chase[,] Charley Barr and Henry Warmsley that the said James Hagerty came to his death by injuries in his Skull received either by an accidential fall or by a violent blow eather one might have been of one month standing when and where and how it hapened is not known to this Jury and we do further say that it is a great negligence of the Jailor and his Turnkey in not furnishing a sick person with medical aid and assistance when within the walls of the County Jail [¶] In Witness whereof as well the aforesaid Justice of the Peace as acting Cornor as the Jurors aforesaid have to this Inquisition put their hands and seals the day and year and at the place first above written. Attached affidavit:nbsp; “Dr Chase being sworn says I first saw the man yesterday he was in a dieing condition then from some Brain difficulty he was in a profound stupor He was not able to speak I proscribed some Brandy I thougth he could not live long, I have not seen him since[.] I understood he died about 7 P.M. last night I saw evidence of an enjery of the Brain from a discharge from the right ear, from the examination there was evidence of his having received a severe injury on the Scull one of those might have been of a month standing & not longer Those injuri[es?] might have been caused by a fall, or by bow [sic] The injury would indicate that it might have been a blow”; signed J S Chase MD; acknowledged 12 Nov. 1877. Dk. 12:166, captioned “Inquest on view of the body of James Hagerty before M. C. Power J.P. Nov 12, 1877” – “Nov 16, 1877 The within report haing been submitted to the Court and exmined the same is approved there seeming to have been reasonable cause for holding the inquest Per Cur | Filed Nov 16, 1877 Chas T. Shaw clerk [in margin:] Nov 21, 1877 costs certified to Com[missioner]s”

Ct.QS #88 April Session 1878 [No papers found.] Dk. 12:201, captioned “Inquest on view of the body of Lydia Apps before David S. Mackey J.P.” – “April 29, 1878 Their appearing Sufficient cause for this Inquest it is approved | Per Cur | Chas T. Shaw clerk”

Ct.QS #89 April Session 1878 Inquisition on view of the body of Martin M. Rice before Wash WInton J.P.; 29 April 1878, … approved; 3 May 1878, costs certified to Commissioners; “State of Penna | Crawford Co S.S. An inquisition indented and taken at Rome Tp. in the County of Crawford the 25th day of March A.D. 1878, before me Wash Winton Justice of the peace (acting Coroner) of the Co aforesaid upon the view of the body of Martin M. Rice then and there lying dead upon the oaths of J. M. Lewis, J. H. Wooster Thomas Judge, Geo. Thomas Warren Hudson, Cyrus McTier, good and lawful men of the county aforesaid, who being sworn to inquire on the part of the Commonwealth, when, where, how and after what manner the said M. M. Rice came to his death, do say upon their oaths, that at a time unknown, said M. M. Rice then and there came to his death by reason of a pistol shot entering the right eye, said pistol being held in his own hand. [¶] In witness whereof as well the aforesaid Coroner, and Jurors afordsaid have to this inquisition put their hands and seals on the day and year and at the place and day first above mentioned.“ Bill of costs shows three [unnamed] witnesses. “State of Penna. | County of Crawford s.s. Before an inquisition taken in Rome Tp. County of Crawford Pa. the 25th day of March AD 1878 on the body of Martin M. Rice found dead in said Tp. J. B. Ross produced and sworn, saith, That while passing barn of John Howel in Rome Tp March 24th about 2 oclock P.M. thought he wuold enter said barn and upon entering the place found a man lying dead upon the hay, Communicated the fact to J. M. Boyd when both returned and examined body, then went to Centreville to notify authorities, Do not know the man, but think I have seen him, did not disturb the body. | J M Boyd sworn – Went to barn of John Howel in Rome Tp on Mar 24 with Jno Ross where we saw a man lying dead upon the hay, do not know who the man was, did not disturb the body, but went with Ross to Centreville to notify authorities. The body remained until arival of Jury in the same position and condition as when I first saw it. | Michael Judge sworn Am track walking on Centreville section of P.T.& B. R.R. think I met this man on the track of R.R. on Wednesday Mar 20th he was going north. Met him about one fourth of a mile south of barn. | Mrs. L. G. Worden sworn – Live at Corry Pa. Pistol, Handkerchief, Tobacco box, Pocket Knife, Pieces of Coat, vest and pants, taken from the body of deceased by Jury, exhibited to witness and fully identified as property and clothing of Martin M. Rice. Last saw him in Corry Pa on March 14th He left home intending to go to Hydetown Pa to work, have not seen him since, but have made diligent search. Deceased was 68 years old. Since last Sept. has made his home with me n Corry Pa. Has been in the habit of using opium, and at times has made use of expressions that he ought to be dead, etc.” Dk. 12:202, captioned “Inquest on View of the body of Mrtin M. Rice before Wash Winton J.P. March 25, A.D. 1878” – “April 29, 1878 There being Sufficient cause for holding the within Inquest | It is approved | By the Court | Chas T. Shaw clerk”

Ct.QS #97 April Session 1878 Inquisition held on the Body of Stephen Blatant found dead at Mead Tp April 14, 1878; 29 April 1878, sufficient cause appearing for holding the within inquest it is approved; 30 April 1878, costs certified to Commissioners; “Commonwealth of Pennsylvania | Crawford County An inquisition indented and taken at the Township of Mead in the County of Crawford the 14th day of April A.D. 1878 before me W H Addle a Justice of the Peace in and for said County acting as Coroner (The Coroner living more than ten miles distant) upon view of the Body of Stephen Bertant (Miller) then and there and there lying dead upon the oaths of [witnesses?; no signatures] George Wilson, Cunin Chapin, F. O. Nodine and Dr W. D. Lefevre and the solemm oaths of [jurors] Chas F. Adams [signed C F Adams], Alex. P. Affentranger [signed P A Affantranger], J. Collins Dickson Amandus Adale [signed A M Addle], J. Pres Porter [signed H. P. Porter] & Edward Veits [signed E E Viets] good & lawful men of the County aforesaid, who being sworn to enquire on the part of the Commonwealth where when how and after what manner the said Stephen Bertant came to his death, do say upon their solemm oaths that the said Stephen Bertant on the 13th day of April A.D. 1878 at about 12 oclock P.M at the House of one George Wilson on the old Plank Road about one mile from Meadville, in Mead Township said County died by the visitation of God in a natural way & that his death was caused by strangulated[?] hernia, and that the said Stephen Bertant was a Frenchman by Birth and by occupation a Miller & that he came to the place from Franklin Penna [¶] In witness whereof as well the aforesaid Justice acting as Coroner as the Jurors aforesaid have to this inquisition put their Hands & seals this 14th day of April AD 1878 at the place above mentioned.” Dk. 12:204, captioned “Inquest on View of the body of Stephen Bertant before W. H. Addle J.P.” – “April 29, 1878 Filed and Sufficient cause appearing for holding the within Inquest it is approved | By the Court | Chas T. Shaw Clerk”

Ct.QS #98 April Session 1878 Coroners Inquisition on the body of an unknown infant found dead in the City of Meadville the 8th day of April 1878; 29 April 1878, sufficient cause appearing for holding the within inquest, it is approved; 30 April 1878, costs certified to Commissioners; “Commonwealth of Penna. | County of Crawford ss An Inquisition Indented and taken at Meadville in the County of Crawford the 8th day of April A.D. 1878 before me W. H. Addle Esq a Justice of the Peace of said County (The Coroner living more than 10 mile distant) upon the view of the Body of an Infant whose name is unknown then & there lying dead upon the oaths of David Morris, Henry Shafer, T J. Doyle [signed Thos. J. Doyle], Alphonse Minnium [signed Alphonso Miniam], Jno Weller, & George Sidman who being sworn to enquire on the part of the Cowelth [sic] when, where & how and after what manner the said Infant came to his death, do say upon their solem oaths after hearing the testimony of Dr E H Dewey, Dr David Best & Dr Theo B Lashells and G. F. Ellis & Alex Tufford do find that the said Infant was Born dead & that the Body was placed in a Privy vault in the City of Meadville said County by some one to the Jurors unkown & that they cannot find from the evidence who the mother of said Child is [¶] In witness whereof the said Justice acting as Coroner as the Jurors aforesaid have to his Inquisiton hereunto set their Hands & seals this 8th day of April AD 1878.” Dk. 12:204, captioned “Inquest on View of the body of an unknown infant before W. H. Addle J.P.” – “April 29, 1878 Filed, and Sufficient cause appearing for holding the within Inquest it is approved | By the Court | Chas T. Shaw Clerk”

Ct.QS #99 April Session 1878 Inquisition held on the dead body of Henry A. Smith April 30" 1878; 3 May 1878, It is certified that there was reason for holding this Inquest & the cost & re— thereof were approved; 3 May 1878, costs certified to Commissioners; “Commonwealth of Penna | County of Crawford S S Inquisition taken at the city of Meadville County of Crawford on the 30" day of April A.D. 1878 before M. C. Powers, J.P. Acting Coroner of the County aforesaid, Upon the view of the body of Henry A. Smith then and there lying dead, Upon the Oaths and affermations of C. F. Purse, Dyer Cochorn [sic] [signed D. W. Cochran], E. P. Purse, H. W. Camfield, Daniel Steffan [signed Daniel Steffon] and E Cuningham [signed E Cunningham] good and lawful men of the County aforesaid, who being sworn and affirmed to inquire on the part of the Comth. when, where, how and after what maner the said Henry A Smith came to his death; do say upon their oaths and affermations, that the said Henry A Smith not having the fear of God before his eys, at the City of Meadville County aforesaid in a certain barn situate on North Street in said City and known as the Barn of one Solomon Phillips, The said Henry A Smith being then and there alone with a certain hempen cord of the value of twenty five cents, which he then and there had, and held in his hands, and one end thereof then and there put about his neck, and the other end thereof tied about a certain Rafter of said barn and then and there with the cord aforesaid voluntarily, and feloniously and of his malice aforethought hanged, and suffocated and so the Jurors aforesaid upon their oaths and affermations aforesaid say that the said Henry A Smith then and there in maner and form aforesaid as felon of himself felniously voluntarily, and of his malice aforethought, himself killed and strangled against the peace and dignity of the Comth. of Pennsylvania. [¶] In witness whereof as well the aforesaid Acting Coroner as the Jurors aforesaid have to this Inquisition set their hands and seals on the day and year and place first above mentioned.” Dk. 12:204, captioned “Inquest on View of the body of Henry A. Smith before M. C. Powers J.P.” – “May 3, 1878 Filed, and it is certified that there was cause for holding this Inquest and the costs and return thereof are approved | By the Court | Chas T. Shaw Clerk”

Ct.QS #100 April Session 1878 Inquest over the Body of C[arl]. L[udwig]. Decker held at Mead Apr 11/1878 before Wm. Knorr J.P.; 17 June 1878, Inquest approved; 26 June 1878, costs certified to Commissioners; “To the Honor. the Court of Crawford County Pa. Whereas on the 11 day of April 1878 at Mead County of Crawford Carl L. Decker was found death by strangulation, and William Knorr a Justice of the Peace for said County had been notifyed of the ocurance. [¶] Now this 11th day of April 1878 the following Person had been summond by the Constable of Mead to act as Jurors.–Almon Wright, Jessy Hunter [signed J W Hunter], Adam Huber [signed A Huber], Newel Chase [signed Newel Chse], Jackon Daniels [signed Samuel J Daniels] and W. P. Daniels, and the same Jurors being qualified under oath after a carefull examination gave the following verdict. [para;] that Carl Ludwig Decker aged 87 years than a resident of Mead, came to his death by his own free will on the day above, he hanging himself with a cord on a beam in a woodshed at the resident of Maria Haas, Mead and than died by strangulation. Cause seems to be a fearfull suffering from a cancer. In witness wherof; as well the foresaid Justice as the Jurors have to this inquisition put their hands and seal on the day, year and place above.” Dk. 12:204, captioned “Inquest on View of the body of C. L. Decker before Wm Knorr J.P.” – “June 17, 1878 Filed and Inquest approved | By the Court | Chas T. Shaw Clerk&148;

Ct.QS #101 April Session 1878 Inquest on view of the body of Mrs Mary Montgomery, before W. S. Crozier J.P. May 12, 1878; 17 June 1878, Inquest approved; 26 June 1878, costs certified to Commissioners; “State of Pennsylvania | Crawford County S.S. At an inquisition taken at Summerhill in said County on the 12th day of May 1878. Before me W. S. Crozier a Justice of the peace in said County upon the view of the body of Mrs Mary Montgomery there and then lying dead aged 67 years and upon the oaths of Wm. McKay [signed Wm. A McKay] for[e]man Robert Montgomery, Neal McKay [signed Neal A McKay], Wm. M. Brown Joseph Henry and James Gevin [signed James P(?) Gevin] Jurors good and lawful men of the County aforesaid charged to inquire into where when, and how, the said Mary Montgomery came to her death. And after the evidence of a son, daughter and daughter in law in the case, Do say that the deceased came to her death by strangulation with her own hands by means of a skein of yarn fastened to a Coller-beam in the roof of her dwelling and a round her neck yesterday between the hours of twelve and one clock P.M. [¶] And further we beleive the cause to have been temporary insanity. The symptoms for some time past being sufficient to cause alarm to her children.” Bill of costs for three [unnamed] witnesses. Dk. 12:205, captioned “Inquest on View of the body of Mary Montgomery before W. S. Crozier J.P.” – “June 17, 1878 Filed, and Inquest approved | By the Court | Chas T. Shaw Clerk”

Note: Court papers were sent to the Pennsylvania Archives in Harrisburg
before the following inquests could be transcribed;
only the docket entries, therefore, are given verbatim.

Ct.QS #92 August Session 1878 Nancy McKinney; inquest, at house of Charles McKinney in Linesville 10 Aug. 1878; hung herself; approved. Dk. 12:247, captioned “Inquest on view of the body of Nancy McKinney before Moses Bishop Esq Aug 11, 1878” – “Aug 23, 1878 There appearing sufficient cause for holding the within inquisition it is approved Per Cur | Chas T. Shaw clerk | Sept 14, 1878 Costs Certified to Com[missioner]s”

Ct.QS #93 August Session 1878 Alfred Boehm; inquest, at Saegertown 4 July 1878; accidentally killed by train; approved. Dk.12:247, captioned “Inquest on view of the body of Alfred Boehm before B G David Esq July 4th 1878“ – ”Aug 23, 1878 There appearing sufficient cause for holding the within inquisition it is approved Per Cur | Chas T. Shaw clerk | Sept 14, 1878 Costs certified to Com[missioner]s”

Ct.QS #94 August Session 1878 William Donahue; inquest, at house of John Hotchkiss in Cussewago Twp. 6 May 1878; accidental discharge of gun in hands of James Burdick, resident of Erie Co. and brother-in-law; approved. Dk. 12:247, captioned “Inquest on view of the body of Wm Donahue before E. A Tinney JP. May 6th 1878” – “Sept 2, 1878 There appearing sufficient cause for holding the within inquisition it is approved Per Cur | Chas. T. Shaw clerk | Sept 4, 1878 Costs certified to Com[missioner]s”

Ct.QS #95 August Session 1878 John Bowers, of Erie, fireman on train; inquest, at South Shenango 13 Sept. 1878, R.R. accident – engine ran into culvert which had been washed away; approved. Dk. 12:248, captioned “Inquest on view of the body of John Bowers before J. P. McArthur J P Sept 13, 1878” – “Sept 26, 1878 Within Inquest approved | Per Curiam | Chas. T. Shaw clerk | Oct 3, 1878 Costs certified to Com[missioner]s”

Ct.QS #98 August Session 1878 Samuel Evans; inquest, at Meadville 14 Oct. 1878, inflimation arising from iruption of bladder by two severe kicks by Augustus Ritenour [see Court of Quarter Sessions #32 Nov. Session 1878 – found guilty of involuntary manslaughter]. Dk. 12:248, captioned “Inquest on view of the body of Samuel Evans before W H Addle J P Oct 14, 1878” – “Oct 31, 1878 Within Inquisition approved | Per Curiam | Chas T. Shaw clerk | Nov 8, 1878 Costs certified to Com[missioner]s”

Ct.QS #61 November Session 1878 Mrs Minerva Phillips; inquest, at house of Samuel S. Symonds in Athens Twp. 2 Sept. 1878; razor nicks by her own hand, temporary insanity; approved. Dk. 12:271, captioned “Inquest on view of the body of Mrs M. Phillips, before N. S. Winton J.P.” – “November 15, 1878 Inquest filed and approved | Per Cur | Chas T. Shaw clerk | Nov 25, 1878 Costs certified to Com[missioner]s”

Ct.QS #62 November Session 1878 James Mulvaney; inquest, at Meadville 7 Aug. 1878; intoxication and sleeping on R.R. tracks – run over; approved. Dk. 12:271, captioned “Inquest on view of the body of James Mulvaney before J.H. Wiliams J.P.” – “November 15, 1878 Inquest filed and approved | Per cur | Chas T. Shaw clerk”

Ct.QS #66 November Session 1878 Charles Stevens; inquest, at Cochranton 26 and 27 Nov. 1878; accidentally run over by train cards 1½ miles south of Cochranton; approved. Dk. 12:273, captioned “Inquest on view of the body of Charles Stevens before John H. Adams J.P.” – “Dec 16, 1878 Inquest filed and it appearing that there was Sufficient cause for the holding of the Said inquest the Same is approved | Per curiam | Chas T. Shaw clerk | Dec 19, 1879 Costs certified to com[missioner]s”

Ct.QS #44 February Session 1879 Josiah Higley; inquest, at Little Cooley 10 March 1879, by lightening; approved. Dk. 12:295, captioned “Inquest on view of the body of Josiah Higley before N.S. Winton J.P. March 10, 1879” – “March 17, 1879 Inquest filed and approved | By the Court | Chas T. Shaw clerk | March 21, 1879 costs certified to the com[missioner]s.”

Ct.QS #45 February Session 1879 Almon Brumley; inquest, at Troy Twp. 1 March 1879; strangulation, by his own hand (hung himself). Dk. 12:295, captioned “Inquest of view of the body of Almon Brumley before Amos Smith J.P. March 1st 1879” – “March 18, 1879 Inquest filed and approved | By the Court | Chas T. Shaw clerk | March 21, 1879 costs certified to the Com[missioner]s.”

Ct.QS #45 May Session 1879 Richard Quail; inquest, at Meadville 8 May 1879; apoplexy, superinduced by overeating and drinking and strangulation in his own vomit; approved. Dk. 12:316, captioned “Inquest on view of the body of R H. Quail before J H Williams JP May 8, 1879” – “May 15, 1879 Inquest filed and approved | Per Curiam | Chas T. Shaw clerk | May 27, 1879 Costs certified to Com[missioner]s”

Ct.QS #65 September Session 1879 George Glancy; inquest, at East Fallowfield 4 Aug. 1879; from disease of the heart; approved. Dk. 12:340, captioned “Inquest on view of the body of George Glancy before B.F. Ellis J.P.” ‐ “Sept 17, 1879 Inquest filed and approved | Per Curiam | Chas T. Shaw clerk“

Ct.QS #42 November Session 1879 H.D. Hamilton; inquest, at Meadville 29 Oct. 1879; cause unknown; approved. Dk. 12:355, captioned “Inquest of View of the body of H. D. Hamilton” – “Nov 10, 1879 Inquest approved | By the court | Chas T. Shaw clerk”

Ct.QS #35 May Session 1880 Child found dead in Fairfield; inquest, at Fairfield 14 & 15 March 1880; believe born of Ellen Swain or McElroy about four weeks ago; by breaking skull; approved. Dk. 12:400, captioned “Inquet on view of the body of a child found dead in Fairfield tp” – “May 10, 1880 Inquest approved | Per Cur …”

Ct.QS #36 May Session 1880 Frank Wilson; inquest, at Cochranton 5 May 1880; shot himself. Dk. 12:400, captioned “Inquest on view of the body of Frank Wilson before J.H Adams J.P.” – “May 10, 1880 Inquest approved | Per Cur …”

Ct.QS #37 May Session 1880 Sarah Smith; inquest, at Troy Twp., residence of Frederic Smith 5 April 1880; poisoned by her own hand, insane; approved. Dk. 12:401, captioned “Inquest on view of the body of Sarah Smith before J.C Prather J P” – “May 10, 1880 Inquest approved | Per Cur …”

Ct.QS #38 May Session 1880 David Brown; inquest, at Cochranton 1 April 1880; found dead at home – visitation of God in a natural way from apoplexy; approved. Dk. 12:401, captioned “Inquest on view of the body of David Brown before J H Adams J P” – “May 10, 1880 Inquest approved | Per Cur …”

Ct.QS #43 May Session 1880 W. Y. Mason; inquest, at Cussewago Twp. 17 April 1880; hung himself in his barn, suicide while in a temporary fit of insanity. Dk. 12:402, captioned “Inquest on view of the body of Wm Y Mason before E O David J P.” – “May 19, 1880 This Return of Inquisition is very inartistic and in Strictness aught not to be approved in its present shape nevertheless we know it is substantially correct. Hence we approve it | Per Curiam …”

Ct.QS #45 May Session 1880 Florian Rickert [papers say #48]; inquest at Bemistown 25 June 1880; visitation of God while fishing in Bemistown dam from lightening. Dk. 12:403, captioned “Inquest on view of the body of Florain Rickert befor M C Powers J P.” – “June 30, 1880 Inquest filed. Same day Inquest disapproved | By the court | Chas T. Shaw clerk”

Ct.QS #44 September Session 1880 Thomas Schnerline, of Vallonia; inquest held at Vallonia 14 June 1880, accidental “drownding” while bathing in French Creek; approved. Dk. 12:427, captioned “Inquest on view of the body of Thos Schnerline” – “Sept 15, 1880 Inquest approved | Per Cur …”

Ct.QS #21 November Session 1880 21 [blank] Fitzgerald; inquest held at Geneva Boro 4 Nov. 1880; run over by train, accident; approved. Dk. 12:435, captioned “Inquest on View of the body of Fitzgerald” – “Nov 9, 1880 Inquest filed and approved | By the Court | Chas T. Shaw clerk”

Ct.QS #23 November Session 1880 Jane Conley; inquest, at Geneva 14 Nov. 1880; fire, fell or laid down near a fire kindled by nobody; appoved. Dk. 12:436, captioned “Inquest on View of the body of Jane Conley” – “Dec 6, 1880 Inquest approved | By the court | Chas T. Shaw | clerk”

Ct.QS # 39 February Session 18 Dk. 12:457, captioned “Inquest on view of the body of Annie Brown alias Annie Scott” – “Feby 19, 1881 Filed. The taking of the Inquest in this case is approved. The question of the costs are refered to the proper authorities | Per Curiam …”

Ct.QS #24 May Session 1881 Edward Howard; inquest, at Meadville 3 July 1881; shot by Elizabeth Bork; approved. Dk. 12:468, captioned “Inquest on View of the body of Edward Howard” – “July 14, 1881 Inquest filed and approved | Per Curiam | Chas T. Shaw clerk”

Ct.QS #43 Sept. Session 1881 H C Kimble; inquest, at house of P. W. Miller, Sadsbury Twp. 6 Aug. 1881; drowned in Conneaut Lake – upset row boat; approved. Dk. 12:484, captioned “Inquest on view of the body of H.C. Kimbell” – “Sept 12, 1881 Inquest approved and filed | Per Cur | Chas T. Shaw clerk | Sept 22, 1881 Costs certified to Com[missioner]s.”

Ct.QS # Session 18

Ct.QS #40 November Session 1882 Dominick Barrett; inquest, at Meadville 2 Sept. 1882. Dk. 12:561, captioned “Inquest held on the Body of Dominck Barrett” – “Nov 18 1882 Filed and approved | Per Curiam | James Graham clerk”

Ct.QS #24 February Session 1883 Peter Berger; inquest, at Borough of Woodcock 12 Feb. 1883; visitation of God. Dk. 12:570, captioned “Inquest on Body of Peter Berger” – “Feby 15,1883 There appearing sufficient cause for holding inquisition it is approved Per Curiam | James Graham clerk”

Ct.QS #31 February Session 1883 Sevilla McCormick; inquest, at residence of David McCormick in West Shenango Twp. 21 March 1883; genera debility; called on by son-in-law John McGregor.&nbap; Dk. 12:572, captioned “In the matter of the inquest on the dead body of Servilla McCormick deceased.” – “Before V Hitchcock J.P. Acting Coronor March 21st 1883 | April 2nd 1883 Approved no cost to be paid by County Treasurur until further order of the Court Per Curiam | James Graham clerk”

Ct.QS #52 May Session 1883 Legrand Swift; inquest, at home of Legrand Swift in Crawford Co. 26 Feb. 1883; Dr. Dewight Gray, criminal neglect. Dk. 12:593, captioned “Inquest on the dead body of Legrand Swift, before Daniel Rupert J.P.” – “Feby 28th 1883 filed | And now Feby 28th 1883 The holding of this inquisition is approved Per Curiam | James Graham clerk”

Ct.QS #53 May Session 1883 John Armstrong, of No 450 Court St., Brooklyn, N.Y.; inquest, at Meadville 18 May 1883; (railroad,) heart disease. Dk. 12:594, captioned “Inquest held on the Body of John Armstrong before Wm Pentz J.P.” – “May 19 1883 Filed | Maay 19, 1883 There does not appear to have been any necessity for the holding of his inquisition and the same is not approved | By the Court | James Graham clerk”

Ct.QS #43 September Session 1883 Dk. 12:613, captioned “Inquistion held on body of Jennie Roberts.” – “September 14 1883 Approved. No Jury cost to be allowed | Per Curiam | James Graham, clerk”

Ct.QS #44 September Session 1883 Dk. 12:613, captioned “Inquistion held on dead body of Horace Griffin” – “September 14 1883 Not approved | Per Curiam | James Graham clerk”

Ct.QS #45 September Session 1883 Dk. 12:614, captioned “Inquisition held on the dead body of Wm Curll decd” – “September 14 1883 approved though not in proper form testimony need not have been returned no Jury cost to be allowed | Per curiam | James Graham clerk”

Ct.QS #46 September Session 1883 Dk. 12:615, captioned “Inquisition held on the dead body of Henry Wood.” – “September 14 1883 Approved no Jury cost till further Order | Per Curiam | James Graham clerk”

Ct.QS #47 September Session 1883 Dk. 12:615, captioned “Inquisition held on the dead body of Bessie Peelman” – “September 14 1883 Not approved | Per Curiam | James Graham clerk”

Ct.QS #49 September Session 1883 Dk. 12:615, captioned “Inquistion held on the dead body of Sarah Mullen” – “September 13 1883 This inquest is approved, yet the practice of holding inquistions Supervisam Corporis on every occasion of a sudden death is to be deprecated and such will always receive the careful scrutiny of the Court and will not be approved without good cause being shown. I know of no warrant for a coroners Jury to collect fees from the County and the bill must be correctly taxed Per Curiam | James Graham clerk”

Ct.QS #56 September Session 1883 Dk. 12:615, captioned “Inquisition on the dead body of Dr A B Hynes“ – ”September 24th 1883. Approved, no cost for post mortem examination till further order. By the Court | James Graham clerk”

Ct.QS #57 September Session 1883 Dk. 12:616, captioned “Inquisition on the dead body of Thomas Dawkins” – “September 25 1883 Approved | By the Court | James Graham clerk”

Ct.QS #27 May Session 1884 [from Justice of the Peace Docket (1883-1900), bottom of page 70:] Inquest held March 12th 1884 on the body of Frank J Campfield upon view of the dead body – J H Lenhart Foreman, Francis E Wilson, Adam Orris, Henry Dreutline Thomas Loyd Daniel Weber Jury find that he came to his death from blow or blows struck by Albert Shultz with his fist with such force as to fracture the skull of the said Frank J Campfield – which caused his death. | Received the costs of County May 22nd 1884. Dk. 12:654, captioned “Inquest on body of Frank Canfield, Decd” – ”May 12th 1884 Inquest approved and the Commissioners will pay such fees and such only as are allowed by law By the Court | James Graham, clerk”

Ct.QS September Session 1884 Thomas Byron; inquest, in Woodcock Twp. 21 July 1884; filed 11 Aug. 1884.

Ct.QS #33 February Session 1885 Wm H Andrews, Jr., of Titusville, Pa.; inquest, at Hotel Brunswick, Titusville 15 Feb. 1885. Dk. 12:696, captioned “Inquest held on the dead body of Wm H. Andrews Jr late of Titusville Pa | Simon Struouse Eqr acting Coronor.” – “February 17 1885 Inquisition filed | Feby 17 1885 I believe it to have been advisable to hole this inquest and have approved the same the bill of cost is to be scaned by the commissioners and not paid unless found to be lawful | Per Curiam | James Graham clerk”

Ct.QS #42 May Session 1885 Ada Bartholomew; inquest at the home of Frank Bartholomew, Titusville, 1 March 1885. Dk. 12:716, captioned “Acting Coroner’s Inquiest on the Dead Body of Ada Bartholomew” – “May 20th 1885 The holding of this inquisitionis disapproved | the cause of the death was quite apparent to every one. | There was no more mistery about it than if deceased had died in bed after a long sickness or of old age| In such case the services of a coroner are [no?] more than uselsess | Per Curiam | James Graham clerk”

Ct.QS #48 May Session 1885 Gust Gahen[?]; inquest at the shop of John Anderson, Titusville, 26 May 1885. Dk. 12:719, captioned “Inquisition on Dead Body of Gust Gahm” – “June 8th 1885 That this poor inebriate died in a drunken debauch must have been evident to all without a Coroner and his Jury solemnly finding it so, and there seems little excuse for holding an inquest. If it should appear that there existed a public suspicion of foul play we might approve the inquest, at present Inquisition Disapproved | Per Curiam | James Graham, Clerk”

Ct.QS #21 November Session 1885 William Best; inquest, at office of Simon Strousse, Titusville, 7 & 8 Oct. 1885. Dk. 12:758, captioned “Inquisition on Dead Body of William Best.” – “Simon Strouse Actng Coroner. | Nov 10 1885 This Inquest approved, the cost thereof are refered to the Commissioners and not to be paid till they are satisfied of the Legality of the same Per Curiam | Nov 16 1885 cost cert to Comr. James Graham Clerk.”

Ct.QS #22 November Session 1885 Clara Chambers; inquest, at Titusville 21 Aug. 1885. Dk. 12:758, captioned “Inquisition on Dead Body of Mrs Chambers. / John.O.Neil Esq | Act Cor.“ “Nov 10 1885 This Inquest is approved the cost refered to Commissoners for examination and are only to be paid after they are found to be legal and taxable. | Nov 10 1885 Cost Cert to Comr Per Curiam | James Graham clerk”

Ct.QS #23 November Session 1885 Simon Spellacy; inquest, at Beaver Twp. 23 July 1885. Dk. 12:758, captioned “Inquest held on Dead Body of Simon Spellacy. | Frank Mantor Esq | Actng Cor.” – “Nov 10 1885 Inquest approved cost to undergo the scrutiny of the Commissioners before payment | Per Curiam | Nov 10 1885 Cost cert to Comr. James Graham clerk”

Ct.QS #24 November Session 1885 Albert Longstreth; inquest, in Bloomfield Twp. 10 July 1885. Dk. 12:758, captioned “Inquisition on the Dead Body of Albert Longstreth, held by S.R. Miller J.P. | Actng Cor” “Nov 10 1885 The Within Inquest approved. The cost there of refered to County Commissioners for consideration and not to be paid till they are satisfied of the legality of the same. Per Curiam | Nov 16 1885 Cost Cert to Comr James Graham clerk”

Ct.QS #34 February Session 1886 Frank Simmons; inquest, at Cussewago Twp. 10 Feb. 1886. Dk. 12:772, captioned “Inquest on the Dead Body of Frank Simmons” – “Feby 11th 1886 Inquest Approved | Per Curiam James Graham clerk”

Ct.QS #22 May Session 1886 “Inquisition on a Person who hanged Himself Com’th of Pennsylvania | County of Crawford ss. [¶] An inquisition indented and taken in Randolph Township, in said county, at the residence of Philip C. Cutshall, deceased, said place of inquisition being eleven miles from the city of Meadville, in said County, On the tenth day of April, A.D. 1886, before John A. Neyland, a Justice of the Peace, holding inquest super visum coporis, upon the view of the body of Philip C. Cutshall, then and there lying dead upon the oaths of James E. Davison, Wm P. Crouch [signed W. P. Crouch], Jefferson Blackmer, Sylvester Seaman, George Seaman, and G. Bentley, good and lawful citizens of the said County, who being sworn to inquire on the part of the Commonwealth, when, where, how and after what matter the said Philip C. Cutshall came to his death, do say, upon their oaths that the said Philip C. Cutshall was found in his own barn then and there alone, with a certain hempen cord, of the value of five cents, which he then and there had and held in his hands, put one end of the cord aforesaid about his neck, and the other end thereof tied about a joist in the barn aforesaid, himself then and there, with the cord aforesaid, voluntarily and feloniously and of his malice aforethought, hanged and sufficated [sic]. We do further state upon our oaths that we believe according to the attending circumstance, surroundings and the evidence produced before us that the said Philip C. Cutshall hanged and sufficated himself while laboring under a fit of tempory [sic] insanity; himself killed and strangled against the peace and dignitiy of the Commonwealth. [¶] In Witness Whereof, as well as the aforesaid Justice of the Peace holding inquest super visum corporis, as the Jurors aforesaid have to this inquisition put their hands and seals, on the day and year, and at the place first above mentioned.” Certification [undated] by John A. Neyland, J.P., as a correct report of the inquest, with bill of costs for summoning and qualifying four witnesses: Harriet Cutshall, Flora Cutshall, George D. Cutshall, and Jesse M. Hodge. Inquest approved 3 May 1886; costs certified to Commissioners

Ct.QS #66½ September Session 1886 Julia Fay; inquest, at Titusville 5 Aug. 1886. Dk. 12:805, captioned “Inquest on the Dead Body of Julia Fay” “Oct 2 1886 approved Per Curiam | James Graham, clerk”

Ct.QS #37 November Session 1886 A. J. Seeley; inquest, at house of Zedock Seely, Jr. in Troy Twp. 19 Oct. 1886. Dk. 12:821, captioned “A J Seeley Inquest on dead Body of.” “Jany 10, 1886 Approved | Per Curiam | James Graham clerk. | Jan 10 1887 Cost of Inquest Cert to Co Comr”

Ct.QS #25 May Session 1887 Inquest on body of infant male child at the office of S. Strausse, Titusville, 13 April 1887. Dk. 13:23, captioned “Inquest on dead Body of an Infant Child name unknown.” – “May 10th 1887 Inquest approved. | Per Curiam | May 12 1887 Cost cert to coms: James Graham clerk.”

Ct.QS #26 May Session 1887 Mrs Mary McDonnell; inquest at Union Station Hotel 12 May 1887. Dk. 13:23, captioned “Inquest on dead Body of Mary McDonnell” – “May 11, 1887 Inquest approved. | Per Curiam | May 17, 1887 Cost cert to Comr James Graham, clerk.”

Ct.QS #72 September Session 1887 James Newton Anderson; inquest, at Titusville 6 and 7 Aug. 1887; approved. Dk. 13:51, captioned “Inquest on Dead Body of James Newton Anderson.” – “Oct 8th 1887 The within Inquest approved. The question of payment of cost is for Commissioners Per Curiam | James Graham, clerk”

Ct.QS #73 September Session 1887 Theron Rice; inquest, at Summit Station in Conneaut Twp. 26 Aug. 1887; approved. Dk. 13:52, captioned “Inquest on Dead Body of Theron Rice” – “October 8th 1887 approved | Per Curiam | James Graham clerk.”

Ct.QS #38 November Session 1887 Adeliza A McGill; inquest, at her house in Boro of Woodcock 13 July 1887; found dead there that day, “from heart disease”; not approved. Dk. 13:65, captioned “Inquest on the Dead body of Adeliza A McGill.” – “July 16, 1887 It does not appear that the Justice of the peace had Jurisdiction in that there is no coronor in Commission or being such he was more than 10 miles from the body as per act of Assembly and Former rules of Cuort referred back to J.P. | Per Curiam | James Graham clerk | Apr. 26. 1888. Evidence having been furnished that the inquisition was held more than ten minutes miles [next word carreted] from the Coroners Office the return is here by approved. | Per. Cur. | W.H. Gaskill, | Clerk.”

Ct.QS #43 February Session 1888 James E. Everett, found dead; inquest, at office of W. A. Neyland, Guys Mills, 7 March 1888; from drunkenness and exposure; approved. Dk. 13:80, captioned “Inquest on the dead [sic; body] of James E. Everett” – “March 12th 1888.– Inquest approved. | Per Cur. | W.H. Gaskill Ck”

Ct.QS #53 September Session 1888 Dk. 13:139, captioned “Inquest over the Dead Body of Joseph Brown” ‐ “Sept 10, 1888. Filed and approved”

Ct.QS #54 September Session 1888 Anthony Jennings; inquest, at Titusville 17 and 18 July 1888; approved.&ndsp; Dk. 13:139, captioned &147;Inquest over the Dead Body of Anthony Jennings” – “Sept 11– 1888. Filed and approved– Per Cur | W.H. Gaskill, Clk”

Ct.QS #63 September Session 1888 Walter Rockwell; inquest, at Cambridge Boro 21 Sept. 1888; approved. Dk. 13:141, captioned “Inquisition over the Dead Body of Walter Rockwill.” – “Inquisition over the Dead Body of Walter Rockwell Filed and approved. Per Cur. Oct 13, 1888. | W.H. Gaskill, Clk”

Ct.QS #64 September Session 1888 Diantha White; inquest, at residence of Wm Johnson in Crawford Co. 17 Oct. 1888; hung herself; approved. Dk. 13:141, captioned “Inquisition held over the Dead Body of Miss Diantha White, late of Richmond Tp” – “Inquisition held over the Dead Body of Miss Diantha White filed and approved Per Cur. Oct 15– 1888. | W.H. Gaskill, clk”

Ct.QS #66 September Session 1888 Daniel Casselman, late of Steuben Twp.; inquest, in Steuben Twp. 27 Oct. 1888; apoplectic fit, fell into run; approved. Dk. 13:142, captioned Inquisition over the Dead body of Danl Casselman late of Steuben” – “Inquisition over the Dead body of Daniel Casselman late of Steuben, as held by O. O Squires J.P. Acting Coroner filed and approved Per cur Nov. 22, 1888 | W.H. Gaskill clk”

Ct.QS #51 May Session 1889 Dk. 13:213, captioned “In re Inquest over the dead body of Martin McCabe” “Inquest over the dead body of Martin McCabe late of Springboro taken before and returned by C.G. Dempsy J.P. of said Borough, acting coroner, Filed July 22 1889 and approved by John J | Henderson P.J”

Ct.QS #43 September Session 1889 Dk. 13:230, captioned “Inquest over the dead body of Frank Cornish” – “Inquest over the dead body of Frank Cornish held by Simon Strauss acting Coroner, filed Aug 22 1889 | W.H. Gaskill, cl[er]k | Sept 13 1889. Inquest approved, Per Cur | W.H. Gaskill, clk”

Ct.QS #45 September Session 1889 Dk. 13:231, captioned “Inquest held over the dead body of John Looker” – “Inquest over the dead body of John Looker, held by Simon Strauss J. P. Acting coroner. filed Oct 5 1889. Same day approved by the court. | W.H. Gaskill, cl[er]k”

Ct.QS #47 September Session 1889 Dk. 13:231, captioned “Inquest held over the dead body of Eli S. Yokes” “Inquest over the dead body of Eli S Yokes. held by Valentine Hitchcock. Esq Acting Coroner filed July 29 1889, approved Oct 23 1889. Per cur. | W.H. Gaskill clerk”

Ct.QS #45 November Session 1889 Dk. 13:245, captioned “Inquisition held over the dead body of Mike Monian[?]” “Inquisition over the Dead body of Mike Monian[?], held by Simon Strauss J.P. Acting Coroner Jun 17, 1889. | Jan 24 1889 Filed and approved | Per Cur | W.H. Gaskill | cl[er]k”

Ct.QS #23 February Session 1890 Dk. 13:254, captioned “Inquest over Dead body of Cyrus N Fuller” “Inquest over the dead body of Cyrus N. Fuller held by Simon Strauss J.P. Acting Coroner, held in the city of Titusville on the 12 day of February 1890 | Filed and approved Febry 14 1890 | Per cur | W.H. Gaskill, cl[er]k”

Ct.QS #36 February Session 1890 Dk. 13:257, captioned “Inquisition over the dead body of E. R. McLallin” – “Inquisition taken and Held by Ira Fetterman one of the Justices of the Peace in and for Crawford County Pa on the 15 day of March 1890 at the residence of James McLallin over the dead body of E. R. McLallin in open court Filed and approved April 7-1890 | Per Cur | W.H. Gaskill, cl[er]k”

Ct.QS #38 May Session 1890 Dk. 13:280, captioned “Inquest over the Dead body of John Cullen [or Culem?]” – “Inquest held over the dead body of John Cullen[?] of Titusville held by Simon Strauss J.P. acting coroner. | May 12 1890. Filed and approved. Per cur | W.H. Gaskill, cl[er]k”

Ct.QS #45 September Session 1890 Dk. 13:296, captioned “Inquest over the Dead Body of Margaret Breshleham.” – “Inquest over the Dead Body of Margaret Breshleham. held by Simon Strauss Justice of the Peace Acting coroner, Filed and approved Sept 15 1890. Per cur | W.H. Gaskill. clk | Sept 17 1890 costs certified to the. Commissioners”

Ct.QS #28 November Session 1890 Dk. 13:306, captioned “Nathan R Baker Inquest over Dead body of–” – ”Inquest held and taken in the city of Titusville by J.J. Holden one of the Justices of the Peace over the Dead Body of Nathan R Baker Col. on Dec 1-1890 | Dec 18 1890. Filed and approved | Per cur | W.H. Gaskill cl[er]k”

Ct.QS #31 March Session 1891 Dk. 13:317, captioned “Inquest over Dead body of John Barnes” – “Inquest held and taken over the dead body of John Barnes before Simon Strouss J.P. Acting Coroner at Titusville on the 21 day of March 1891 | approved by the Court March 31-1891 | costs certified to county April 2 1891 | W.H. Gaskill. / clk”

Ct.QS #41 May Session 1891 Dk. 13:342, captioned “Inquest over the Dead body of Caroline Williams” – “Inquest over the dead body of Caroline Williams late of Titusville. Held by Simon Strouss J.P. acting coroner. Filed and approved May 11-1891 | Per Cur W H Gaskill.clk | costs certified May 12-91”

Ct.QS #42 May Session 1891 Dk. 13:342, captioned “Inquest held over the dead body of an unknown man at Centreville” – “Inquest held over the Dead body of an unknown man at Centreville. Held by T. J. Patton J P Acting Coroner. Filed and approved May 11-1891 | Per cur W H Gaskill. clk”

Ct.QS #22 November Session 1889 Dk. 13:377, captioned “Inquest on the body of Sylvester H. Seaman.” – “Dec. 15, 1891, Inquest on the body of Sylvester H. Seaman, held at Titusville, Nov. 29th & 30th of November, 1891, before Simon Strouse, Esq., acting Coroner, filed and approved. Per Cur.”

Ct.QS #25 November Session 1891 Dk. 13:381, captioned “Inquest on the Body of Henry Christian Homan, of Cussewago Tp.” – “Jan’y 11, 1892, Inquest on the body of Henry Christian Homan, of Cussewago Tp., held before John B. Torry, J.P., acting Coroner, on the 9th day of January, 1892, filed and approved. Per Cur. | W.H. Gaskill, Clerk.”

Ct.QS #40 February Session 1892 Dk. 13:399, captioned “Inquest on the body of Patrick Dundon.” – “March 1, 1892, An Inquisition, indended and taken at Crossingville in the County of Crawford, on the 30th Day of January, A.D., 1892, before Thomas E. Freeman, J. P., Acting Coroner, upon the view of the body of Patrick Dundon then and there lying dead, filed and approved. | Per Cur. | W.H. Gaskill, Clerk”

Ct.QS #37 May Session 1892 Dk. 13:428, captioned “Inquest on the body of Austie Bidwell.” – “May 9, 1892, An Inquisition indented and taken at Hydetown, in said County, the 30th day of May, A. D., 1892, before Simon Strouse, J. P., acting Coroner, upon the view of the body of Austie Bidwell, a girl about 17 years old, then and there lying dead, filed and approved. | Per Cur.”

Ct.QS #42 May Session 1892 Dk. 13:430, captioned “Inquest on the body of James A. Knapp.” – “June 27, 1892. Inquisition, indented and taken at Spring Boro the 24th day of June, A.D., 1892, before Henry West, J. P., Acting Coroner, filed and approved. Per Cur.”

Ct.QS #20 September Session 1892 Dk. 13:446, titled “Inquest on the Body of Libba, Lena Jacobs, and 60 other bodies, drowned at Titusville, Pa., during the [next word carreted] flood of June 4th & 5th, 1892.” – “An Inquisition, indented and taken at the office of Simon Strouse, in the City of Titusville, the 5", 6", 7", 17" & 20" days of June, A. D., 1892, before Simon Strouse, a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Crawford, acting as Coroner, upon the view of the dead bodies of the persons therein named, Libba Lena Jacobs and 60 others, Filed and approved by the Court. Sept. 12, 1892.”

Ct.QS #22 February Session 1893 Dk. 13:486, captioned “Inquest on the body of William Beals.” – “February 13, 1893, An Inquisition indented and taken at the residence of William Beals, in the Township of Spring, the 30th day of January, 1893, before Lawson E. Phelps, J.P., acting Coroner, upon the view of the body of William Beals, then and there lying dead, filed and approved.– Per Cur.”

Ct.QS #27 February Session 1893 Dk. 13:488, captioned “Inquest onn the Body of Andrew Calhoun.” – “March 24, 1893, An Inquisition, indented and taken at the Borough of Cambridte, on the 20th day of March, 1893, before John D. Gage, J. P., acting Coroner, upon the view of the body of Andrew Calhoun, then and there lying dead, filed, and approved. | Per Cur.”

Ct.QS #52 September Session 1893 Dk. 13:543, captioned “Inquest held over the dead body of John C. Lines late of Rome Twp.” – “Oct. 30, 1893, Report of inquest held over the dead body of John C. Lines late of Rome Twp., filed and approved, Per Cur. | W. H. Gaskill, Clk.”

Ct.QS #28 November Session 1893 Dk. 13:556, captioned “Inquisition held over the dead body of John D. Bailey.” “Dec. 11, 1893, Report of inquest held over the dead body of John D. Bailey, filed and approved Per Cur. | W.H. Gaskill, Clk”

Ct.QS #49 February Session 1894 Dk. 13:575, captioned “Inquest on body of H. C. Jones” “Feb’y 21, 1894. An Inquisition indented and taken in the City of Meadville in the County of Crawford, before me B. F. Smith, Coronoer of County aforesaid, upon the view of the body of H. C. Jones, then and there lying dead. Filed and approved Feb’y 22, 1894. | Per Cur.”

Ct.QS #50 February Session 1894 Dk. 13:575, captioned “Inquest on body of Thomas Smith” “Jan’y 20, 1894. An inquisition indented and taken in Meadville in the County of Crawford before me B.F. Smith Coroner of County aforesaid, upon the view of the body of Thomas Smith, then and there lying dead. Filed and approved Jan’y 22, 1894. | Per Cur”

Ct.QS #51 February Session 1894 Dk. 13:575, captioned “Inquest on Death of the two Scanlan Children burned to death | Feb. 2, 1894.” “Feb. 5, 1894. An Inquisition indented and taken in Meadville in the County of Crawford before me B. F. Smith, Coroner of County aforesaid, upon the view of the bodies of two little children, of Mr. and Mrs. James Scanlon, then and there lying dead. Filed and approved Feb. 7, 1894 | Per Cur”

Ct.QS #64 February Session 1894 Dk. 13:584, captioned “Inquest on the body of Phylesba Gray” “March 29th A.D. 1894. An Inquisition indented and taken at the office of Simon Strouse J. of P. in and for the County of Crawford, State of Pennsylvania before me Simon Strouse J. of P. County aforesaid upon the view of the body of Phylesba Gray then and there lying dead. Filed and approved. Apr. 2- 94. | Per Cur P. P. Moyer, | Clerk.”

Ct.QS #60 May Session 1894 Dk. 13:604, captioned “Inquest. on the body of a colored man, supposed to be Matthews Jeffreys.” ”And now, June 18, 1894, An Inquisition indented and taken in Meadville in the county of Crawford before me B. F Smith, Coroner of the county aforesaid upon the body of a colored man supposed to be Mathew Jeffreys, found dead. | Per. Cur. | P. P. Moyer, Clerk”

Ct.QS #35 September Session 1894 Dk. 13:618, captioned “Inquest on body of Sam’l Roberts” “July 31 – 94. Inquisition indented and taken at the house of Sam’l Roberts of Troy, Crawford, Pa. before me Simon Strouss J.P. in and for said County acting coroner for said body then and there lying dead. Filed and approved. Sept. 10.-94. | P. P. Moyer. Clk.”

Ct.QS #30 February Session 1895 Dk. 14:15, captioned “Inquest on Body of George H. Cutter” – “February 18- 1895. An Inquisition indented and taken at City of Meadville on the 15th day of Feby 1895 A. D. before B. T[?]. Smith Corener, upon the view of the body of George H. Cutter, then and there lying dead, filed, and approved. | Per Cur”

Ct.QS #31 February Session 1895 31 Dk. 14:15, captioned “Inquest on Body of John Slavin” – “December 17- 1895- An Inquisition indented and taken at the City of Meadville on the 15th day of Dec. 1894. before B. T[?]. Smith Cor. upon view of the body of John Slavin, then and there lying dead, filed, and approved. | Per Cur”

Ct.QS #42 May Session 1895 Dk. 14:47, captioned “Inquest on the body of John P. Hicks.” – “And now July 16, 1895, An Inquisition indented and taken in Cambridgeboro in the County of Crawford before me M. H. Luse, Deputy Coroner of the County aforesaid, upon the body of John P. Hicks, then and there lying dead. | Per Cur.– P. P. Moyer Clerk”

Ct.QS #52 September Session 1895 Dk. 14:83, captioned Inquest, On the body of R. H. Sargent.” – “And now, Sept. 9, 1895, An Inquisition, indented and taken at Sugar Lake, in the Township of Wayne, in the County of Crawford, before L. S. Oakes, J. P., acting Coroner, upon the body of R. H. Sargent, then and there lying dead, filed and approved.– Per Cur.”

Ct.QS #22 November Session 1895 Dk. 14:95, captioned “Inquest | -on- | the body of an infant found dead in the yard of L. P. Willing, Spring St., Meadville, Pa.” – “Nov. 18, 1895, Inquisition filed. | Dec. 26, 1895, in open Court the within report is approved. Per Cur”

Ct.QS #41 February Session 1896 Dk. 14:117, captioned “Inquest on body of Charles Wahl.” – “April 22, 1896, An inquisition indented and taken in Meadville, in the County of Crawford, before me, B. F. Smith Coroner of County aforesaid, upon the view of the body of Charles Wahl, then and there lying dead. Filed Ja April 22, 1896, Approved April 22, 1896 | Per Cur.”

Ct.QS #42 February Session 1896 Dk. 14:117, captioned “Inquest on bodys of Edward and Katie Karlskind.” – “April 23, 1896, An inquisition indented and taken in Meadville, in the County of Crawford, before me, B. F. Smith Coroner of County aforesaid, upon the view of the bodies of Edward and Katie Karlskind, then and there lying dead. Filed Apr. 23, 1896. | Per Cur.”

Ct.QS #46 May Session 1896 Dk. 14:141, captioned “Inquest on body of J. N. Brady Humes.” – “June 30, 1896, An inquisition indented and taken in the Township of Woodcock, in the County of Crawford, before me, C. W. Knerr, Justice of the Peace of said County, upon the view of the body of J. N. Brady Humes, then and there lying dead. Filed July 1, 1896. Per. Cur.”

Ct.QS #48 September Session 1896 Dk. 14:178, captioned “Inquest on body of Mary Ann Lingo.” – “Oct. 4, 1896. An Inquisition indented and taken in the Township of Troy in the County of Crawford this 3d day of October 1896. before me B. M. Prather, a Justice of the Peace of the County aforesaid, upon the view of the body of Mary Ann Lingo, then and there lying dead. Filed Nov. 4, 1896.– Per Cur.”

Ct.QS #37 February Session 1897 Dk. 14:220, captioned “Coroner’s Inquest in the matter of the death of Andrew McGraw late of Titusville” – “Feby 15, 1897. An inquisition indented and taken at the City of Titusville, in the County of Crawford the tenth day of February in the year our Lord one thousand eight hundred and ninety seven before me Reuben E. Taft a Justice of the Peace of the County aforesaid, acting coroner upon the view of the body of Andrew McGraw then and there lying dead. | Same day filed and approved. Per Cur. | Curtis S. Clark. Clk.”

Ct.QS #45 February Session 1897 Dk. 14:223, captioned “Coroner’s Inquest in the matter of the death of an unknown man near Cambridge Springs in Crawford County Pa” – “An inquest, indented and taken at Cambridge Springs in the County of Crawford, the 4th day of March, 1897 before Charles S Glenn, Justice of the Peace and acting deputy Coroner of the County aforesaid, upon the view of the body of an unknown man, then and there lying dead, upon the oath of M H Luse, W E Root, N S Tiffany, A D Birchard, MD, and Leland Craig, and the solemn affirmation of John B Bonner.- good and lawful men of said County, who beding duly sworn and affirmed to inquire on the part of the Commonwealth, when, where and how, and after what manner the said unknown man came to his death, do say upon their oath and affirmation: That they viewed and examined the remains of the unknown man aforesaid, also heard the sworn statements of J D Ferris, J J Moynihan, Jesse Wilmath, Harvey L Lamb, Patrick Welsh and W A McKee, and find that the said unknown man was to all appearances about forty to forty five years old, about 5 feet 10 inches high, and would weigh about 200 pounds, Sandy hair cut short, large round smooth face, two or three upper front teeth missing, had been dressed in what had once been dark pantaloons, fine striped black and blue, black worsted coat, black vest, light drab spring overcoat, mouse colored corduroy cap, tan colored number 9 shoes marked - - - Pittsburg, three knit cotton undershirts, one white or yellowish, one grey or black sateen shirt, and to all appearances was what is generally termed a tramp | Evidence and appearance was that the said man had been riding on a west bound freight train, Henry Yocum conductor, and had become chilled or asleep and fell off at or near milepost 85¼, A mile or so east of Cambridge, and had been dragged and run over by said train. We see no evidence of foul play and believe the death to have been purely accidental | In witness wereof, as well the aforesaid Deputy Coroner as the jurors aforesaid, have to this inquisition put their hands and seals on the day and year and at the place first above mentioned | C S Glenn J P and Acting Deputy Coroner (Seal) | M H Luse Seal | W E Root Seal N S Tiffany Seal | J B Bonner Seal | A D Birchard MD Seal | Leland Craig Seal | Filed and approved March 5 1897 [next two words carreted] Per Cur Curtis S Clark Clerk”

Ct.QS #54 February Session 1897 Dk. 14:236, captioned “Coroners Inquest on the body of Patrick White of Titusville Pa.” “Commonwealth of Pennsylvania | Crawford County } ss | An inquisition indented and taken at the City of Titusville, in the County of Crawford, the 29th day of April 1897 before me, Reuben E Taft, a Justice of the Peace of the County aforesaid, acting Coroner, upon the view of the body of Patrick White, then and there lying dead, upon the oaths and solemn affirmations of Wm H McDonald, Caleb Wallace, William McKinzie, John Coots, Charlse McLauglin and Patrick Callahan, good and lawful men of the county aforesaid, who being sworn and affirmed to inquire on the part of the Commonwealth when, where, how and after what manner the said Patrick White came to his death. After viewing the dead body of Patrick White, then and there lying on the main track, between the T rails of the Western New York and Pennsylvania railroad, about 200 feet west of ‘Hales Crossing’, where the said railroad track crosses West Central Avenue in said City of Titusville, the inquest adjourned to meet at the acting Coroner’s office, Chace Block, in said City of Titusville at 10 oclock in the forenoon of April 29, 1897. Now, 10:30 o Clock, April 29, 1897, all the Jurors present and answer to their names, as follows: Wm H McDonald, Foreman, Caleb Wallace, Wm T McKenzie, John Coots, Charles McLaughlin and Patrick Callahan. And now, to wit: 7 o clock P.M., April 29, 1897, after having viewed the body of the said Patrick White, and having heard the evidence produced before them do find and say, that he, the said Patrick White, came to his death by being run over by train No. 4 on the Western New York and Pennsylvania rail road, abuot 200 feet west of Hales Crossing, at one o clock and fifty minutes, on the morning of April 29, A.D. 1897, and without the knowledge, so far as we are able to find, of any other person or persons, and being in our, the aforesaid Jurors’ judgment, purely accidental. | In witness whereof, as well the aforesaid Coroner as the jurors aforesaid, have to this inquisition put their hands and seals on the day and year, and at the place first above mentioned. | Reuben E. Taft, J. P. Acting Coroner (seal) Caleb Wallace (seal) | William H McDonald, Foreman (seal) John Coots [or Coats?] (seal) | William T McKenzie (seal) Charles McLaughlin (seal) | Patrick Callahan (seal) | And now, May 3, 1897, On presentation and consideration of within inquisition the same is approved Per Cur | Curtis S Clark, Clerk”

Ct.QS #45 May Session 1897 Dk. 14:262, captioned ”Coroners Inquest on the death of Peter Matson late of Titusville, Pa.” – “Inquisition taken at the City of Titusville in the County of Crawford the 26th day of July, 1897, before Reuben E. Taft, J.P., acting coroner of the county aforesaid and upon the solemn oaths and affirmations of Samuel J Foster, foreman, J.J. McCrea, Anthony T. Schreck, Dell Herron, Ellis Marks and N.H. Wood; six good and lawful men of the County aforesaid, charged to inquire when, where and in what manner Peter Matson came to his death; who having viewed the body of the said Peter Matson and having heard the evidence produced before them, do find and say that he, the said Peter Matson, came to his death in the Dunkirk, Allegheny Valley and Pittsburg Rail-Road switch yard, about two hundred feet east of the freight house of said railroad, at the City of Titusville, aforesaid, That the said Peter Matson came to his death by an unavoidable accident, by being run over by a car, while assisting his train crew in making up train No. 10 ready to go out in the morning at 7 o’clock, July 27, 1897 Reuben E. Taft, J.P., Acting Coroner | S. J. Foster, foreman | J. J. McCrea, Anthony T. Schreck, Dell H. Heron, Ellis Marks, N H Wood Jurors | And now, Aug. 2, 1897, on presentation and consideration of the within Inquisition, the same is approved. Per Cur., Curtis S. Clark, Clerk | Filed Aug 2, 1897. Curtis s. Clark, Clerk”

Ct.QS #23 November Session 1897 Dk. 14:311, captioned “Coroner’s Inquest on the death of Bertha Carroll late of Meadville Pa.” – “I, James Kepler, a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Crawford, State of Pennsylvania, hereby certify that on the sixth day of October, A.D. 1897, at the City of Meadville, County of Crawford, the Coroner of the County being absent and unable to attend, I was called upon to hold an inquest over the [next word carreted] dead body of Bertha Carroll as provided by Act of Assembly of May 27, A.D. 1841, And that I, James Kepler, Justice of the Peace acting as Coroner, on the sixth day of October, A.D. 1897, at Spencer Hospital, in the City of Meadville, County of Craford, upon view of the body of Bertha Carroll, then and there lying dead, death having come by violence, Having, then and there, made careful inquiry as to the facts and circumstances of the case, it was decided by me that ‘no inquest is necessary’. No inquest was held. | In witness whereof the aforesaid Justice has set his hand and seal, on the day and year, and at the place first above mentioned, and in accordance with the Act of Assembly of March 30, A.D. 1897. James Kepler, (seal) | Acting Coroner. | Nov. 8, 1897, Report Confirmed Per Cur. | Curtis S. Clark, Clerk.”

Ct.QS #24 November Session 1897 Dk. 14:312, captioned “Coroner’s Inquest on the death of Simon H. Silloway late of Spartansburg, Pa.” “An Inquisition indented, taken at Spartansburg in the County of Crawford, the 29th day of October, 1897, before H.S. Brockway, Justice of the Pece of said County, upon the view of the body of Simon H. Silloway, then and there lying dead, upon the oaths of L.W. Day[,] John J. Thompson, A.E. Eldred, A.V. Winans, M. Taylor and C.S. Fisher, Jurors, good and lawful men of said County, on the behalf of the Commonwealth, doth say that the said Simon H. Silloway, while walking on the track of the W. N. Y. & P. R.R., on the evening of the 28th day of said month, about 7:18, P.M., it so happened that the said Simon H. Silloway was accidentally and by misfortune, The [sic] he was struck by a south bound engine of a passenter train about one mile north of Spartansburg, that the said Simon H. Silloway then and there instantly died, and that we verily believe that the engineer was not to blame as he used all his energy to stop his train | So we verily believe L.W. Day, Foreman | John J. Thompson | A.E. Eldred | A.V. Winans | M. Taylor | C.S. Fisher [to the left of the juror’s names:] H.S. Brockway | Justice of the Peace. | Nov. 8, 1897, Report Confirmed.| Per Cur. | Curtis S. Clark, Clerk”

Ct.QS #40 November Session 1897 Dk. 14:318, captioned “Inquisition on the dead bodies of Alonzo and Byron Lytle.” “Penna, Crawford County, ss | An inquisition taken at Atlantic, in the County and State aforesaid, the 25th day of December, 1897, before B. F. Smith, Coroner of the County aforesaid, upon view of the bodies of Alonzo and Byron Lytle, then and there lying dead, upon the oaths of Joseph Duncan, Benj V. Holland, James Gilmore, Lee McArthur, Frank D. Hunt and Hugh McKee, six good and lawful men of the County aforesaid, charged to inquire on the part of the Commonwealth of Pa., when, where and by what means the said Alonzo and Byron Lytle came to their death, who upon their respective oaths, do say that it appears, from the view of the bodies and from the evidence produced before them, that the said Alonzo Lytle and Byron Lytle came to their death on the 25th day of December, 1897, by being struck by train 7 on the Erie R.R. at a road crossing at Atlantic, in the County and state aforesaid, on the 25th day of Dec 1897, and we further find that the Engineer and Fireman of the aforesaid train seven (7) guilty of carelessness in not giving the customary signals or warning at the crossing; thereby causing the death of the boys, Alonzo Lytle and Byron Little [sic]. | In witness whereof, as well the said Coroner as the said Jurors, have to this Inquisition set their hands and seals, on the day and year, and at the place first above mentioned. | Benj. F. Smith, Coroner. (seal) | Lee McArthur. (seal), Joseph Duncan (seal), Frank D. Hunt (seal) / Benj. V. Holland (seal), Hugh McKee (seal), James Gilmer (seal) | Jan. 1, 1898, filed in open Court and approved. | Per Cur. Curtis S. Clark.”

Ct.QS #47 November Session 1897 Dk. 14:322, captioned “Inquisition on the dead Body of James H. Smith” – “Commonwealth of Penna } ss: | Crawford County | An Inquisition taken at Meadville in the County aforesaid, the 25th day of January, in the year of our Lord, One thousand eight hundred and ninety eight, before Cyrus J. Stockton, Coroner of the aforesaid County, upon view of the body of James H. Smith, then and there lying dead, upon the solemn oaths or affirmations respectively of S.J. Logan[,] L.H. Lauderbaugh, M. Ohlman, W.H. Carman, Charles Muenzenberger and A C Pardee, six good and lawful men of the County aforesaid, charged to inquire, on the part of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, when, where and by what means the said James H. Smith came to his death, who upon their respective oaths or affirmations, do say that it appears, from the view of the body and from evidence produced before them, that the said James H. Smith came to his death on the 24th day of January, 1897, between the hours of 8:30 oclock P.M. and 10:18 A.M., by means of accidental drowning in the Township of Mead, County aforesaid, under first culvert under track of East Railroad Company, Franklin Branch, south of Buchanan Station, and that no blame attaches to Conductor C.J. Kelso, or the Erie Railway Company. | In witness whereof, as well the said Coroner, as the said jurors, have to this Inquisition set their hands and seals, on the day and year, and at the place first above mentioned, | C.J. Stockton, Coroner | A.C. Pardee (seal), Charles Muenzenberger (seal), S.J. Logan (seal) | M. Ohlman (seal), L. H. Lauderbaugh (seal), W.H. Carman (seal) | Jan. 24, 1898, filed in open Court and approved. | Per Cur. Curtis S. Clark, Clerk”

Ct.QS #27 February Session 1898 Dk. 14:352, captioned “Inquest on the dead body of Clara Fosburg” – “Inquest on the death of Clara Fosburg, before deputy Coroner M. Nevins, held and examined on the 8th and 9th days of February, 1898. We, the undersigned Jurors, find, upon the evidence produced, that the death of Clara Fosburg was caused by giving birth to a still born child, which was about six months foetus, and other causes unknown to the Jury. | In witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands and seals this 9th day of February, 1898. | Wm Megahey (seal) Peter Mullen (seal) | Sebastian V. Haehn (seal) Bernard Commisky (seal) | Peter McDonnell (seal) Justin Perret (seal) | M. Nevins, Deputy Coroner.”

Ct.QS #24 May Session 1898 Dk. 14:373, captioned “Inquisition on the dead body of Eleanor Underholt.” “Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, | County of Crawford, } ss: | An inquisition taken at residence in the County aforesaid, the 26th day of April, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and ninety eight by Cyrus J. Stockton, Coroner of the aforesaid County, upon view of the body of Eleanor Underholt, then and there lying dead. Eleanor Underholt, aged 71 years, resident of Woodcock Township said County. Cause of death: Strangulation by a rope twisted with a stick by her own hand, result of long sickness and temporary insanity. Mrs. C.A. Carringer, Woodcock Township sworn: ‘Was called to home of decased, Monday morning, April 25th, found Eleanor Underholt in her room, lying on the floor, dead, with rope twisted about her neck, which caused the death I cut the rope and removed it’. | In witness whereof said Coroner has to this inquisition set his hand and seal on the day and year and at the place first above mentioned. | C. J. Stockton, Coroner.”

Ct.QS #36 May Session 1898 Dk. 14:379, captioned “Inquest on Coroner’s View of dead body of Frank Hughey.” “An inquisition taken at Meadville, Pa., in the County of Crawford the 21st day of July, 1898, before Cyrus J. Stockton, Coroner of aforesaid County, upon view of the body of Frank Hughey, late of McKees Rocks, Pa., then and there lying dead. I, Cyrus J. Stockton, Coroner, do deem it unnecessary to hold an inquest by jurors, and do herewith submit the facts. It appears from the view of the body, and from evidence produced before him, that the said Frank Hughey came to his death, on the 20th day of July, 1898, at 4:20 o’clock, P.M., by means of drowning while bathing in Conneaut Lake, near Oakland Beach. | In witness whereof the said Coroner has set his hand and seal, on the day and year, and at the place first above mentioned | Cyrus J. Stockton, Coroner”

Ct.QS #84 September Session 1898 Dk. 14:432, captioned “Coroners Inquest on the dead body of Henry A. Ernst.” – “An Inquisition taken at Junction Bridge in the County aforesaid, the 19th day of September, in the year our Lord one thousand eight hundred and ninety eight by Cyrus J. Stockton, Coroner of the aforesaid County, upon view of the body of Henry A. Ernst, by Coroner, then and there lying dead, following named witnesses: Wm Houch, Union Township; John Leighty, Union Township; John Ernst, Union Township; C. Reitz, Union Township; Wm Fox, Union Township; Fred Schwavy, and Adam Kebort, by the Coroner, on the part of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, when, where, and by what means the said Henry A. Ernst came to his death on the 18th day of September, 1898, at time not known, by means of accidental drowning, or perishing on a tree in the water. This verdict is sustained by the unanimous testimony of the above named witnesses. | In witness whereof the said Coroner has set his hand on the day and year, and at the place first above mentioned. | Cyrus J. Stockton, Coroner. | Sept. 20, 1898, report of Coroner filed in open Court and approved. | Per Cur. Curtis S. Clark, Clerk.”

Ct.QS #85 September Session 1898 Dk. 14:433, captioned “Coroners Inquest on the dead body of Mrs. Nellie Cease.” – &147;An Inquisition taken at Meadville, in the County aforesaid, the first day of October, A.D. 1898, by Cyrus J. Stockton, Coroner of the aforesaid County, upon view of the body of Mrs. Nellie Cease, then and there lying dead, upon the solemn oaths or affirmations, respectively, of Dr. Woodring, Samuel Cease, Mrs. Wm O’Daniel and Jospeh Belz, do deem it unnecessary and inadvisable to hold an inquest by Jurors, and do hereby submit the following verdict: that the said Mrs. Nellie Cease came to her death on the first day of October, 1898, at 9 o’clock, P.M., by means not definitely known, but presumable cause of death paralysis. | In witness whereof the said Coroner has to this inquisition set his hand on the day and year, and at the place first above mentioned. | C. J. Stockton, Coroner. | Oct. 3, 1898, report of Coroner filed in open Court and approved. | Per Cur. Curtis S. Clark, Clerk.”

Ct.QS #87 September Session 1898 Dk. 14:434, captioned “Coroner’s Inquest on the dead body of Unknown Man.” “An inquisition taken at Meadville (Byham’s) in the County of Crawford, the 11th day of October, A.D. 1898, before Cyrus J. Stockton, Coroner of aforesaid County, upon the body of the Unknown man, then and there lying dead, upon the solemn oaths or affirmations respectively of George A. Schreck, George Schreck, J.H. Belknap, William L. Boggs, Seth R. Harper and Charles J. Barrett, six good and lawful men of the county aforesaid, charged to inquire, on the part of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, when, where, and by what means the said unknown man came to his death, who, upon their respective oaths or affirmations, do say that it appears from the view of the body, and from evidence produced before them, that the said unknown man came to his death on the 10th day of October 1898, during the night by being run over by the cars in some unknown manner. | In witness whereof, as well the said Coroner, as the said Judors, have to this inquisition set their hands and seals, on the day and year, and at the place first above mentioned. | C. J. Scloton [sic], Coroner. | C. J. Barrett (LS) W. L. Boggs (LS) | Geo. A Schreck (LS) J. H Belknap (LS) | S. R. Harper (LS) G. Schreck (LS) | Oct. 18, 1898, the within is hereby approved. | Per Curiam”

Ct.QS #88 September Session 1898 Dk. 14:435, captioned “Coroner’s Inquest on the dead body of Mrs. Alice Mickle.“ “Com’th of Pa., Crawford County, ss | An inquisition indented and taken at Cambridge Springs, in the County of Crawford, State of Pennsylvania, on the 12th day of October, A.D. 1898, before me, M.H. Luse, one of the Justices of the Peace in and for said county and state, ‘Acting Coroner’ of said County, upon the view of the dead body of Mrs. Alice Mickle, then and there lying deat, upon the oaths of Carl Greaves, James Sherman, Alonzo Haggerty, Wm D. Hall, Chas. H. Fink and Milo R. Allen, good and lawful men of the said County, who, being sworn to inquire, on the part of the Commonwealth, when, where, how and after what manner the said Alice Mickle came to her death, do upon their oaths say that the said Alice Mickle did, in her bedroom, in the New Cambridge House, in Cambridge Springs, said County, between the hours of twelve o’clock noon and six o’clock P.M., of Wednesday, October 12, 1898, shoot herself in the head, a little above and front of the left ear, with an apparently new revolver. That from the position and appearance of the body and surroundings the said Mrs. Alice Mickle stood before a large mirror, took the revolver in her left had, placed the muzzle near the left side of her head, slightly above and front of her left ear, and fired the revolver, the wound being instantly fatal. | From all the evidence obtainable by the jury we can fnd none that implicates any other person or persons. | In witness whereof, as well the aforesaid Justice of the Peace, Acting Coroner, as the Jury aforesaid, have to this inquisition, put their hands and seals, on the day and year, and at the place first above mentioned. M.H. Luse, Justice of the Peace, Acting Coroner (S.S.) | Carl Greaves, (seal) Wm D. Hill, (seal) | James Sherman, (seal) Chas. H. Fink. (seal) | Alonzo Haggerty, (seal) Milo R. Allen. (seal) } Jurors. | Oct. 18, 1898, upon examination of the within, it is hereby adjudged that there was reasonable cause for holding said inquest, and the same is hereby approved. Per Curiam.”

Ct.QS #30 November Session 1898 Dk. 14:461, captioned “Coroner’s Inquest on the dead body of Henry Rath.” “An inquisition indented and taken at Titusville, in the county of Crawford, the 7th day of November, A.D. 1898, before Frank A. Akin, J. P., acting Coroner of the County aforesaid, upon the view of the body of Henry Rath, then and there lying dead, upon the oaths of Michael J. Ormik, Daniel McGrath, John W. Beck and John M. Waid, M.D., and solemn affirmations of A.M. Hunter, Charles E. Griffin, Theodore Crosby, Samuel J. Foster, Geo. J. Kuntz and Edwin V.C. Wheeler, good and lawful men of the County aforesaid, who, being sworn and affirmed to inquire on the part of the Commonwealth, when, where, how and after what manner the said Henry Rath came to his death, do say, upon their oath and affirmation, that the said Henry Rath, late of the Boro’ of Fredonia and State of New York, not having the fear of God before his eyes, but being moved and seduced by the instigations of the Devil, at the City of Titusville, in the County of Crawford aforesaid, in a certain room on the second floor of the building knows [sic] as the lock-up of said City, the said Henry Rath, being then and there alone with a certain copper wire used for electric lighting in said building, which he then and there held in his hands, did then and there fasten the two ends of said wire to the top of a grated door of the cell of said prison in such a manner as to form a tight loop or noose with the top of said door about his own neck, and then and there voluntarily and feloniously and of his malice aforethought hanged and suffocated; and so the jurors aforesaid, upon their oaths and affirmations aforesaid, say that the said Henry Rath, then and there, in manner and form aforesaid, as a felon, of himself, feloniously, voluntarily and of his malice aforethought, himself killed, stangled and murdered, against the peace and dignity of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. And the aforesaid jurors, upon their oaths and affirmatins aforesaid, further say that in their opinion no other person or persons whatsoever were in any manner whatsoever, either directly or indirectly responsible or to blame for the said felonious self murder of the said Henry Raht. | In Witness Whereof, as well the aforesaid acting Coroner as the jurors aforesaid, have to this inquisiton put their hands and seals, on the day and year and at the place first above mentioned. | Frank A. Akin, J.P., Acting Coroner. (seal) | A. M. Hunter, Foreman. (seal) Geo. J. Kuntz. (seal) [next line] Charles E. Griffin. | (seal) E.V.C. Wheeler. (seal) Jurors. [next line] Theodore Crosby. (seal) Samuel J Foster. (seal) } Jurors. | And now, Nov. 19, 1898, the within Inquisition presented in open Court is approved and ordered filed. Per Cur. | Curtis S. Clark, Clerk.”

Ct.QS #31 November Session 1898 Dk. 14:462, captioned “Coroner’s Inquest on the dead body of Irvin Wilson.” “Commonwealth of Penna., [next line] Crawford County, } ss: | An Inquisition indented and taken at Oil Creek Township in the County of Crawfodr, the 25th day of October, in the year of our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred and Ninety eight before me, Frank A. Akin, Justice of the Peace and Acting Coroner of the County aforesaid, upon the view of the body of Irvin Wilson, then and there lying dead, upon the oaths of Martha Wilson, Nora Wilson and Dr Preston Steele, and solemn affirmations of Joseph Mars, B.J. Mars, Martin Hill, S.B. Kerr, C.A. Anderson and H. H. Root, good and lawful men of the county aforesaid, who, being sworn and affirmed to inquire on the part of the Commonwealth, when, where, how and after what manner the said Irvin Wilson came to his death, do say, upon their oaths and affirmations that the said Irvin Wilson came to his death about 1:30 o’clock in the afternoon of the 24th day of October, A.D. 1898, in a shop or wagon-shed on his farm, near the Venango county line, in Oil Creek township, Crawford County, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; that his death was caused by a would inflicted by a bullet from a rifle-gun in his own hands, which would was through the entire body, from near the center of the left breast to a point near the left shoulder blade, and whether said shot was accidentally fired or was by him maliciously done is to usunknown. | In Witness Whereof, as well the aforesaid acting Coroner as the jurors aforesaid, have to this present inquisition put their hands ands seals, on the day and year and at the place first above mentioned. Frank A. Akin, J.P., Acting Coroner (seal) | S. B. Kerr, Foreman. (seal) | C. A. Anderson. (seal) | Joseph Mars. (seal) | W. H. Roat. (seal) | Martin Hill. (seal) | B. J. Marrs [sic]. (seal) | And now, Nov. 19, 1898, the within inquisition, presented in open Court, is approved and ordered filed. | Per Cur. Curtis S. Clark, Clerk.”

Ct.QS #33 November Session 1898 Dk. 14:463, captioned “Coroner’s Inquest on the dead body of George Houser.” “Commonwealth of Penna., | Crawford County, }ss: | An Inquisition taken at Meadville in the County aforesaid, the 22d day of Dec., in the year of our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred and Ninety eight, before Cyrus J. Stockton, Coroner of the aforesaid County, upon view of the body of George Houser, then and there lying dead, upon the solemn oaths and affirmations of George Houser, Jr., | I, Cyrus J. Stockton, deeming it unnecessary to hold inquest upon the body of George Houser, now and here lying dead, do submit the following verdict: That the said George Houser came to his death on the 22d day of Dec., 1898, at one o’clock, P.M., by means of breaking his neck, caused by falling from a ladder while at work on Otto Kohler’s house. C. J. Stockton, Coroner. | And now, Dec. 23, 1898, report of Coroner filed in open Court and approved. Per Cur. Curtis S. Clark, Clerk.”

Ct.QS #37 November Session 1898 Dk. 14:465, captioned “Coroner&146;s Inquest on the dead body of Edward James Donlin.” – “Com’th of Penna., Crawford County, ss: | An inquisition taken at Meadville, in the County aforesaid, the 14th day of January, A.D. 1899, by Cyrus J. Stockton, Coroner of the aforesaid County, upon the view of the body of Edward James Donlin, then and there lying dead, upon the solemn affirmations of Cyrus J. Stockton, Coroner inquiring, on the part of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, when, where and by what means the said Edward James Donlin came to his death, who upon his affirmation says that it appears from the view of the body, and from evidence produced before him, that the said Edward James Donlin came to his death on the 12th day of Jan., 1899, at 10½ o’clock, A.M., by means of being run over by a train of cars between shops and East Tower, on the Erie Road. | In witness Whereof, the said Coroner has to this inquisition set his hand and seal, on the day and year, and at the place first above mentioned. | Cyrus J. Stockton, Coroner.”

Ct.QS #38 February Session 1899 Dk. 14:498, captioned “Coroner’s Inquest on the dead body of Unknown Infant.” “Commonwealth of Penna., Crawford County, SS: | An inquisition taken at Meadville in the county aforesaid the 5th day of April, 1899, before Cyrus J. Stockton, coroner of the aforesaid county, upon the view of the body of an unknown girl babe, then and there lying dead, upon the solemn oaths or affirmations respectively of Frank S. Striffler, John King, Joseph Kline, A. Bennett, Jas Falkinburg of Meadville and Geo. Barnes of Hayfield, six good and lawful men of the county aforesaid, charged to inquire, on the part of the Com’th of Penna, when, where and by what means the said unknown infant came to her death, who, upon their respective oaths or affirmations, do say that it appears from the view of the body and from evidence produced before them, that the said bale [sic] came to her death on a day not known, and the cause of death unknown. | In witness whereof, as well the Coroner as the said jurors, have to this inquisition set their hands and seals, on the day and year, and at the place first above mentioned | C. J. Stockton, Coroner | J. H. Falkinburg, (seal) Frank S. Striffler, Jr. (seal) | Geo. W. Barnes, (seal) Joseph J. Kime (seal) | Ambrose Bennett, (seal) John King (seal) | April 10, 1899, the within is hereby approved. Per Curiam”

Ct.QS #27 May Session 1899 Dk. 14:528, captioned “Coroner’s Inquest on the dead body of Thomas Wilson.” “Com’th of Pa., Crawford County, ss: | An inquisition indented and to be taken at King’s Undertaking Rooms, City of Titusville, this 26th day of April, A.D. 1899, before me, Simon Strouse, a Justice of the Peace in and for the said county of Crawford, acting as deputy in place of the County Coroner, who resides about 30 miles away from the place where the dead body was found, upon the view of the body of one Thomas Wilson, then and there lying dead, and upon the oaths of James H. Sennett, foreman, E. E. Ricketts, John Pickering, Alfred Kroffert, Gottfield Bodamer and Fred H— Jr, good and lawful men citizens of the County aforesaid, who being duly sworn according to law to inquire on behalf of the Commonwealth, how, when and where and after what manner the said Thomas Wilson came to his death, do say, after listening to the statement of Dr. Geo. W. Barr, who has been called in by Acting Coroner, Simon Strouse, to make a thorough post mortem examination of the body of said Thomas Wilson, and who the said Dr. Geo. W. Barr, stated as follows to the Acting Coroner and his jurors:– ‘I have carefully examined the body of Thomas Wilson, did not find any marks of violence on his body to indicate that the said Thomas Wilson came to his death by foul means, the cause of his death been heart trouble, superinduced by an incurable disease, as can be readily seen on the body of said [Dk. 14:529, without caption:] Thomas Wilson.’ Whereupon Acting Coroner Strouse stopped at once all further proceedings in this inquest. | Witness my hand and seal the day and year first above written | Simon Strouse, Alderman, ex officio | Justice of the Peace and Acting Coroner (seal) | May 15, 1899, the within is hereby approved. | Per Curiam.”

Ct.QS #32 May Session 1899 Dk. 14:531, captioned “Coroner’s Inquest on the dead body of Frank H. Fiske.” “Com’th of Pa., Crawford County, ss: | An inquisition taken at Meadville, in the County aforesaid, the 29th day of May, A.D. 189 [sic], by Cyrus J. Stockton, Coroner of the aforesaid County upon the view of the body of Frank Fisk, then and there lying dead, upon the solemn oath of Dr. C.P. Woodring, good and lawful witness of the County aforesaid, when, where and by what means the said Frank Fisk came to his death, who upon his oath says it appears that the said Frank Fisk came to his death on the 29th day of May, 1899, by, in all probability, apoplexy. | In witness whereof the said Coroner has to this inquisition set his hand and seal, on the day and year and at the place first above mentioned | Cyrus J. Stockton, Coroner / June 19, 1899, the within is hereby approved. | Per Cur. Curtis S. Clark, Clerk.”

Ct.QS #33 May Session 1899 Dk. 14:532, captioned “Coroner’s Inquest. on the dead body of M. D. Hoover, decd.” “Commonwealth of Pennsylvania [| bracketed with:] Crawford County. } ss: | An inquisition taken at Meadville, in the County aforesaid, the 3d day of July, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and ninety-nine, before Cyrus J. Stockton, Coroner of the aforesaid County upon view of the body of M.D. Hoover, then and there lying dead, upon the solemn oaths or affirmations respectively of W. A. Baker, Frank Ehrgott, Charles Mead, Archie Mead, witnesses, 4 good and lawful men of the County aforesaid, of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, when, where, and by what means the said M. D. Hoover came to his death, who, upon their respective oaths or affirmations, do say, that it appears, from the view of the body, and from evidence produced before them, that the said M. D. Hoover came to his death on the 2d day of July, 1899, at ½ past 3 o’clock, P.M., by means of accidental drowning while bathing in French Creek, above Bemus Dam. | Do not deem it necessary or advisable to summon a Jury. | In Witness Whereof, the said Coroner has to this Inquisition set his hand and seal, on the day and year, and at the place first above mentioned. | C. J. Stockton, Coroner | July 22, 1899, The within report is hereby approved. | Frank J. Thomas, P.J.”

Ct.QS #34 May Session 1899 Dk. 14:533, captioned “Coroner’s Inquest on the dead body of Emil Jennings.” “Commonwealth of Pennsylvania [| bracketed with:] Crawford County. } ss: | An Inquisition taken at Conneaut Lake, in the County aforesaid, the 3d day of Aug., in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred, ninety-nine, before Cyrus J. Stockton, Coroner of the aforesaid County, upon view of the body of Emil Jennings, then and there lying dead, upon the solemn oaths or affirmations respectively of G. W. Barnes, W. B. Carman, F. J. Choffel, C. B. Dennis, R. A. Stratton, S. A. Harshaw, six good and lawful men of the County aforesaid, charged to inquire, on the part of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, when, where, and by what means the said Emil Jennings came to his death, who, upon their respective oaths or affirmations, do say, that it appears, from the view of the body and from evidence produced before them, that the said Emil Jennings came to his death on the Third day of August, 1899, at from 1:15 to 5 o’clock, A.M., by means unknown to Jury. | In Witness Whereof, as well the said Coroner, as the said Jurors, have to this Inquisition set their hands and seals, on the day and year, and at the place above mentioned. | C. J. Stockton, Coroner. | Geo. W. Barnes. (L.S.) C. B. Dennis. (L.S.) | W. B. Carman. (L.S.) R. A. Stratton. (L.S.) | F. J. Choffel (L.S.) S. A. Harshaw. (L.S.) | Aug. 4, 1899, Testimony before Coroner’s Inquest filed. | Aug. 4, 1899, Receipt of Coroner for valuables found on body, filed. | Aug. 7, 1899, Post-Mortem Examination by Surgeons, filed.”

Ct.QS #36 May Session 1899 Dk. 14:354, captioned “Inquest on the dead body of Charles Claypole, deceased, held by Simon Strouse, J.P.” “July 14, 1899, Inquest filed and submitted to Court for approval. | Aug. 14, 1899, Opinion of Court filed. | Aug. 14, 1899. Ordered that the inquest in this case be disapproved, for the reason that it does not appear that there was reasonable cause for holding the same. Per Curiam. | (See Opinion filed.) Curtis S. Clark, Clerk.”

Ct.QS #37 MaySession 1899 Dk. 14:355, captioned “Inquest on the dead body of William McCurry, deceased, | held by Thomas E. | Freeman, J.P.” “Aug. 4, 1899, Inquest filed and submitted to Court for approval. | Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Crawford County, ss: | An Inquisition indented and taken in the Township of Cussewago, Crawford County, State of Pennsylvania, the 18th day of August, A.D., 1899, before me, a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, upon the view of the body of William McCurdy, lying dead at the residence of Daniel Sullivan, of said Township, upon the oaths of R. W. Langdon, James McMann, Wm Swaney, B. Coughlan, Luman Eldridge, and Frank O’Brine [sic], good and lawful mne of the County aforesaid, who, being sworn to inquire on the part of the Commonwealth, when, where, how, and after what manner the said William McCurry came to his death, do say, upon their oaths: That the aforesaid William McCurdy was in the employ of Delos Anderson to dynamite an old water well on the premises of the aforesaid Daniel Sullivan. After the shot, Anderson went down in the well to ascertain what effect the shot had had, and was overcome by the fumes of the power and fell back into the well; and the aforesaid McCurry went into the well to assist Anderson out of the well; had got hm within six feet of the top, when he was overcome by the gas, and fell back into the well, some eighteen feet, striking his head on the stone wall of the well, causing his death, in connection with the fumes of the powder. No blame or negligence being attached to any of the parties being present. This accident happened about six o’clock, P.M., of the 17th day of August, 1899. | In Witness Whereof, as well the aforesaid Justice of the Peace, as the Jurors, have to this Inquisition put their hands and seals on the day and year, and at the place first above mentioned. | Thos. E. Freeman, J.P. | R. W. Langdon. | James H. McMann, | Wm Swaney. | Bart. Coughlin. | Luman Eldridge | Frank Obrien. | Sept. 13, 1899, Filed in open Court and approved. Per Cur. | Curtis S. Clark, Clerk.”

Ct.QS #39 May Session 1899 Dk. 14:539, captioned “Inquest on the Dead Bodies of John Kirsch, Reuben M. Arnold, Henry H. Shafer and George Schatz.” “Commonwealth of Pennsylvania [| bracketed with:] Crawford County, } ss: | An Inquisition indented and taken at Meadville, Pa., in the County aforesaid, the 6th day of September, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and ninety=nine, by Cyrus J. Stockton, Coroner of the aforesaid County, upon the view of the bodies of John Kersch, R. M. Arnold, Henry H. Shafer and Geo. Schatz, then and there lying dead, to inquire on the part of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, when, where, and by what means the said deceased came to their death, says that it appears from the view of the bodies, and from evidence produced before him, that the said deceased came to their death on the 6th day of Sept., 1899, at 4:30 oclock, A. M., by means of colliding trains at Miller’s Station, on the Erie R.R. And the Coroner, upon the view of these bodies and the evidence given, does deem it unnecessary and inadvisable to hold an inquest. | In Witness Whereof, The said Coroner has hereunto set his hand and seal, on the day and year, and at the place first above mentioned. | Cyrus J. Stockton, Coroner. | Sept. 6, 1899, List of Articles found on the dead body of John Kersch, filed.”

Ct.QS #39 September Session 1899 Dk. 14:563, captioned “Inquest on Dead Body of an unknown man.” “Commonwealth of Pennsylvania [|, bracketed with] Crawford County, } ss: An Inquisition taken at Meadville, Pa., in the County aforesaid, the 16th day of September, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and ninety=nine, before Cyrus J. Stockton, Coroner of the aforesaid ....”

Ct.QS #41 September Session 1899 Dk. 14:564, captioned “Inquest on Dead Body of an Unknown Infant.” “Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, [|, bracketed with:] Crawford County, } ss: | An inquisiton taken at Meadville, in the County aforesaid, the 22nd day of September, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and ninety=nine, before Cyrus J. Stockton, Coroner of the aforesaid County, upon view of the body of an unknown babe, then and there lying dead, upon the solemn oaths or affirmations respectively of Joseph H. Boyles, John King, F. Linley Waugaman, Tracy D. Kepler, Louis Tordella and Dana R. Perry, six good and lawful men of the County aforesaid, charged to inquire, on the part of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, when, where, and by what means the said unknown babe came to its death, who, upon their respective oaths or affirmations, do say, that it appears, from the view of the body, and from evidence produced before them, that the said unknown babe came to its death on the ----- day of September, 1899, at --- o’clock, --M., by means of criminal abortion by parties to these Jurors now unknown. | In Witness Whereof, as well the said Coroner, as the said Jurors, have to this Inquisition set their hands and seals, on the day and year, and at the place first above mentioned. Cyrus J. Stockton, Coroner. | Joseph H. Boyles. (L.S.) F. Linley Waugaman. (L.S.) | John King. (L.S.) Tracy D. Kepler. (L.S.) | Louis Tordella. (L.S.) | Dana R. Perry. (L.S.) | Sept. 23, 1899–Filed in open Court and approved. Per Cur.”

Ct.QS #42 September Session 1899 Dk. 14:564, captioned “Inquest -on- Dead Body of Anna Kelly, late of Hayfield Tp.,” “Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, [|, bracketed with:] Crawford County, } ss: | An inquisiton taken at Meadville, in the County aforesaid, the 22nd day of September, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and ninety=nine, before Cyrus J. Stockton, Coroner of the aforesaid County, upon view of the body of Anna Kelly, then and there lying dead, upon the solemn oaths or affirmations respectively of Joseph H. Boyles, John King, F. Linley Waugaman, Tracy D. Kepler, Louis Tordella, and Dana R. Perry, six good and lawful men of the County aforesaid, charged to inquire, on the part of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, when, where, and by what means the said Anna Kelly came to her death, who, upon their respective oaths or affirmations, do say, that it appears, from the view of the body, and from evidence produced before them, that the said Anna Kelly came to her death on the 19th day of September, 1899, at 12 o|clock, M. [sic], by means of a criminal abortion, committed upon her person by Dr. H.G. Chamberlain and Mrs. L.L. Haverty. | In Witness Whereof, as well the said Coroner, as the said Jurors, have to this Inquisition set their hands and seals, on the day and year, and at the place first above mentioned. | Cyrus J. Stockton, Coroner. | Joseph H. Boyles. (L.S.) F. Linley Waugaman. (L.S.) | John King. (L.S.) Tracy D. Kepler. (L.S.) | Louis Tordella. (L.S.) | Dana R. Perry. (L.S.) | Sept. 23, 1899, Filed in open Court and approved. Per Cur. | Curtis S. Clark, Clerk.”

Ct.QS #44 September Session 1899 Dk. 14:565, captioned “Inquest on Dead Body of an Unknown Colored Man.” “Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, [|, bracketed with:] Crawford County, } ss: | An inquisiton taken at Meadville, in the County aforesaid, the 25th day of Sep., in the year of our Lord one thousand, eight hundred and ninety=nine, before Cyrus J. Stockton, Coroner of the aforesaid County, upon view of the body of a man unknown, then and there lying dead, the Coroner, inquiring on the part of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, when, where, and by what means the said man, colored, came to his death, who says that it appears, from the view of the body, and from evidence produced before him, that the said colored man came to his death on the 25th day of Sept., 1899, at from 5 to 7 o’clock, A. M., by means Neuralgia of the heart, at City Hall. The Coroner, upon view of the body, and evidence producted, deems it unnecessary and inadvisable to hold an inquest. | In Witness Whereof, The said Coroner has to this Inquisition set his hand and seal the day and year, and at the place first above mentioned. | Cyrus J. Stockton, Coroner. | Oct. 2, 1899. The within is hereby approved. Per Cur. | Curtis S. Clark, Clerk.”

Ct.QS #48 November Session 1899 Dk. 14:594, captioned “Coroners Inquest on the dead body of Unknown man at Titusville, Pa.” “An inquisition indented and taken at the office of Simon Strouse, Alderman, ex officio Justice of the Peace, in and for the City of Titusville, County of Crawford and State of Pennsylvania, and acting Coroner, in place of the regular elected Coroner, who resides about 30 miles away from the place of tradedy, the 11th, 14th and 15th days of November, A.D. 1899, before me, Simon Strouse, the said Alderman, ex officio Justice of the Peace and acting Coroner, upon the body of John Doe, unknown and not identified, then and there lying dead and upon the oaths of Charles Henderson, foreman, Patrick Callaghan, Barney Riley, Sherman Alderman, Ed. Keough and Wm McMillan, good and lawful citizens of the County aforesaid, who, being duly sworn to inquire on behalf of the Commonwealth when, where, how and after what manner the said unknown body, John Doe, came to his death, do say upon their oaths and on the evidence of W. G. Johnston, M.D., Dr. Hugh Jamison, Dr. Preston Steele, Margaret Garnett, Mary Hite and Patrick Nash, that the man whose dead body is before us, and upon whose death this inquest is now sitting, who is to us unknown, not been identified, and whom we shall distinguish by the fictitious name of John Doe, came to his death from a pistol shot wound in his right breast, fired by Daniel McGrath, Chief of the Police force of the City of Titusville, while he was attempting to arrest the said John Doe and two others who were looting the [Dk. 14:595, captioned “Continued.”:] house of Bertha Bloom, in said City, and robbing the inmates of their money and valuables; that the said Daniel McGrath only fired the fatal shot after he had been himself shot twice by one or more of the said burglars, once in his left arm and once in the upper abdomen, from which latter wound he has since died; that Daniel McGrath when he so shot the dead man before us was acting in the full discharge of his duties as an officer of the law and order, and while he was bravely fighting against great odds, the said John Doe and the two burglars with him having resisted their arrest with great violence, and discharged their revolvers at the said McGrath many times; that no blame whatever, even in the slightest degree, can be charged against the dead chief of police, but, on the contrary, praise beyond measure is due him for the brave and gallanct manner in which he discharged his official duties in protecting the property and lives of the citizens of the City of Titusville, and in the discharge of [next line] of which duty he met a violent but honorable death. | In Witness Whereof, the Acting Coroner as well as the Jurers [sic] aforesaid have to this inquisition set their hands and seals, at said Titusville, this fifteenth day of November, 1899. Simon Strouse, J.P., (seal) acting Coroner. | C. H. Henderson, (seal) foreman | P. J. Callahan, (seal) | Barney xx Riley, (seal) | W. S. Alderman, (seal) / Ed. J. Kough, (seal) / William McMillan (seal) [to the left of the jurors’ names:] Costs. / Smon Strouse Acting Coroner $5.70 | Dr. W. G. Johnston 10.00 | Jurors 12.00 | Officer serving Jurors 1.25 | [ditto marks, i.e., Officer serving] Witnesses 1.25 | [total:] $30.00 | Nov. 20, 1899, upon due consideration of within, the same is hereby approved, and it is hereby adjudged that there was reasonable cause for holding said inquest. Per Curiam. Curtis S. Clark, Clerk.”

Ct.QS # Session 18