Nashua Reporter, 25 Sep 1902

ACCIDENTAL DROWNING

Was the Verdict Brought in by the

Coroner's Jury as the Cause of Eri

Hall's Death

The mystery surrounding the disappearance of Eri Hall a week ago last Sunday was solved Saturday by the finding of the body in the river, at a point about one-half a mile below Cold Springs, where the river turns east, and a few rods above where the boat was found.

Searching parties were out every day last week and the river was dragged in the vicinity of where the boat was found and the timber and willow patches adjoining the river were thoroughly searched out without avail until Saturday when about noon as Dave King was scanning the river with a spyglass he saw, in the center of the river about due east of Merrill Peterson's house, an object which appeared to be a piece of canvas or cloth. He at once came to town and got a boat and in company with O. L. Bullen and Wm. Hall, brother of the missing man, rowed to the spot where the object was seen, and found the body of Hall floating near the surface, lying partially on one side, the head and one shoulder appearing above the water. The body was taken to the shore and the coroner at once notified and as soon as possible the body was brought to the undertaking rooms of Lundt & Lubring to await the inquest. Coroner Landon and County Attorney Gelser arrived from New Hampton about 6 p.m. and after supper impanneled a jury composed of J.A. Yarger, Silas Wait and F.R. Packard and the inquest held with the result as above stated. It was rumored on the streets during the afternoon that Hall had been shot, that there was a bullet hole in his head, but a thorough examination by the coroner and also by Dr. Horton, failed to reveal anything of the kind, there being no mark on the head or body except a small scratch on the right cheek and that only through the outer skin.

The particulars of the drowning as we get them are that Mr. Hall went up the river Sunday morning to fish having with him about a pint and a half of diluted alcohol. He was seen in the vicinity of Mitchell's slough and further up the river at different times during the day, the last time, that is known of, being when he was seen about four o'clock by Merrill Peterson and his hired man. He was then standing in the boat, which was well out in the center of the river, just east of Mr. Peterson's house, looking over toward the east bank of the river where someone was shooting in the timber. It was near this spot that the body was found, and it is supposed that he fell from the boat soon after this and that the boat drifted down the river and into the bayou where it was found the next day. The body probably remained in about the same place until Saturday when the water was drawn off from above the dam, creating an under current which brought it to the surface. How he happened to fall into the river or why he failed to get to the shore, as he was a good swimmer, will never be known.

Deceased was an unmarried man, about 42 years of age, and had lived most of his life in this vicinity. He was his own worst enemy, having an ungovernable appetite for strong drink. He was a hard working man and was of a kindly disposition. He leaves an aged mother, one brother and one sister. The funeral services were held at the home in Brooklyn Sunday morning, conducted by Rev. Ewell and the remains interred in Beck Cemetery.

*********

Nashua Reporter February. 19, 1905 page 8:
"The bodies of Mr and Mrs. H. Hall and three children, and Mrs. K. Winn were moved down from the Beck Cemetery Friday and buried in Oak Hill Cemetery."

I think the three children were John B, Maria, and Eri Hall.
I think John B. Hall was later moved again to Greenwood Cemetery to be buried with his wife.

Mrs K. Winn was Hiram and Jane's granddaughter, Katherine Bean Winn.