Agnes was born to Andrew Thompson McElwain and Nancy A. Wheatley.
The Iowa City Daily Press
Published in Iowa City, Iowa
Monday, October 30th, 1916
TRAGIC FATE OF MRS. BURGE FOUND DROWNED
Estimable Woman Wanders From Home and Dies in Treacherous Stream
CLIMAX OF MISFORTUNE
Husband and Daughter Die Within Period of Little More Than a Year.
Cruel death in the Iowa river was the tragic fate of Mrs. James W. Burge this morning, or Sunday - the terrible event coming as a climax to two other deaths in the family of the heartbroken pioneer. Her lifeless form was found, suspended over the University Dam, this morning.
Despondent, She Wanders Away
She had been despondent, brooding over the deaths of her beloved daughter, Marjorie, which occurred two months ago, and her husband, a pioneer Iowa horseman, who died less than a year before that, and was breaking physically and mentally from old age and grief. Mrs. Burge wandered away from home early Sunday morning, it is believed, as other residents of the Marvin home heard noises about 7 that suggested, when she was subsequently missed, that she went away then.
Lived With Her Daughter.
She resided at 322 East Burlington street, at the home of Mrs. Loretta J. Marvin. She had come hither a few days ago, with her daughter Vannie, who became assistant secretary to President W. A. Jessup, on the return to the old home of the Burge family. She and her aged mother had lived together in Davenport, after the death of the father and husband in that city, a shade more than a year ago. Two other children survive - Charles Burge, of Los Angeles, Cal.; and Mrs. Ed. Weber, one of Iowa City's prominent club women.
A. T. Calkins Makes Dread Discovery.
The body was discovered this morning about 7 o'clock, by A. T. Calkins, sanitary inspector of Iowa City, who chanced a passing - to attend to some business over the river. He could see only a bundle of clothes, apparently on the dam, but he suspected that there might have been a tragedy. Therefore, he communicated with the police, and drove back to the river, with the officer in his vehicle. Later on, Chief J. J. Clark of the Fire department came down, and pending the latter's arrival, Al Tucker, fishing, cast out a hook, and it caught in the clothing.
Chief Clark Comes.
These garments had been tossed by the stream in such a manner as to conceal the body, and when the taut line drew the clothing from its massed condition, rearranging it, the terrible truth became evident. Chief Clark and his aides de camp then pursued the quest, and soon managed to fasten a castout rope-bearing hook in the dress of the ill-fated woman and thus she was soon drawn ashore.
Half Way Across River.
The body lay on the dam, more than half way across the river - that is, about 100 feet east of the last pier of the arch - not the last pier of the bridge, itself, but of those in the water. A log had rested on the garments of the drowned woman, holding them and her, at the crest of the dam, as above indicated. Her head was above the dam's edge, and the water, but was covered by the raiment in such a way, as the forgoing story shows, as to render impossible any observance of the proof of the tragedy. As soon as the body was drawn a little aside, and the dresses swept from their bundlelike condition, the terrible truth was manifest.
Mystery in Tragedy.
The tragedy is veiled in mystery, as no one saw the ill-fated pioneer fall into the stream. She had wandered down that way once before, having been seen on the Burlington street bridge, the city officers were informed, on Saturday afternoon, looking at the stream, and the University Dam. Easily, after reverting to this scene, and returning thereto, she could have become dizzy, and fallen in, during Sunday forenoon, ere the church bells tolled, or even later in the day. Just as easily, she could have been swept towards the dam, where Fate decreed that her dress should be entangled with the log. Thus the discovery - terrible, but better than a silent, mystery-laden vanishing, became possible.
An Early Settler.
Mrs. Burge was 72 years of age. She was a real pioneer of Iowa City, having lived here a good many years ago, long before her husband, a lover of fine horses, known from one end of the state to the other, died in Davenport. The Burges also lied in West Liberty for a time. Mrs. Burge was the daughter of A. T. McElwain, one of the first of Iowa City's pioneers.
Coroner Hurd Informed.
Coroner Charles K. Hurd was promptly informed of the accident, and he investigated promptly. The facts revealed to him - as related above - that the aged woman had wandered down to the treacherous Iowa, Sunday, but how she fell in, nothing proved, as nobody was a witness to the tragedy. No formal inquest, however, will be necessary, as there is no suggestion of foul play, to necessitate the summoning of a jury. If an inquest were held, the verdict would probably be "Accidental death, the manner unknown."
Funeral in Davenport.
The funeral will be held in Davenport, whither the remains will be taken in the morning. The services will be at the Corrigan undertaking apartments, at 2 o'clock. Rev. Dr. Cole, of St. John's Methodist church, will officiate.
The Iowa City Citizen
Published in Iowa City, Iowa
Tuesday, October 31st, 1916
BODY OF WOMAN FOUND IN RIVER
MRS. AGGIE BURGE, 72 YEARS OLD, TAKEN FROM DAM YESTERDAY
Death by Drowning Followed Disappearance of Aged Woman from Home of Daughter Early Sunday Morning.
The body of Mrs. Aggie Burge, 72 years old, was removed from the top of the Burlington street dam across the river Monday morning about 10 o'clock. It had evidently been in the water for some time, and it is believed that the aged woman fell into the river soon after disappearing from the home of her daughter, Mrs. Ed Weber, 336 East Burlington street, about 5:30 o'clock yesterday morning. The finding of the body ended a quest which began Sunday, when relatives of Mrs. Burge, alarmed at her early disappearance, instituted a search for her. Death had evidently been caused by drowning. The theory of premeditated suicide has been dismissed, inasmuch as Mrs. Burge had never spoken of the possibility of such an act and on the contrary was distressed at mention of unusual deaths. She had no troubles nor worries, and it is believed that death was either accidental or that it occurred during a temporary aberration. It is not known where Mrs. Burge fell into the river, but it is supposed that she did so at the Burlington street bridge. The body had been noticed during the morning by several people, who thought it merely a bundle of rags. Charles Stimmel of 316 South Madison St., fishing at the dam Sunday, told companions that he believed it was a body of a woman, but they laughed at the suggestion. Monday morning, however, Mr. Stimmel with T. D. Calkins, city sanitary inspector, and Officer Albert Burger of the police force, removed the body from the dam. The coroner's office was communicated with, and it was taken to the coroner's rooms, where it was identified. Besides Mrs. Weber, Mrs. Burge leaves another daughter, Miss Vannie Burge, who has lately taken a position in the office of President Jessup of the university, and other relatives. The body will be taken to Davenport this morning for burial. The funeral services will be held this afternoon at 2:00 o'clock in the Horrigan undertaking rooms, Davenport, with Dr. Cole of St. John's Methodist church officiating. Interment will be made at Davenport.
The Iowa City Daily Citizen
Published in Iowa City, Iowa
Wednesday, November 1st, 1916
MRS. AGGIE BURGE BURIED YESTERDAY
Funeral services for Mrs. J. W. Burge, who met death in the Iowa river Sunday, were held yesterday afternoon at 2 o'clock in St. Johns Methodist church in Davenport, of which she had been a member for years. Rev. Frank Cole officiated at the service. Prof. McCulloch gave several musical numbers. Members of the W. C. T. U. attended in a body, and members of the organization acted as honorary bearers. Interment was made in Oakdale cemetery, Davenport.
The Iowa City Daily Press
Published in Iowa City, Iowa
Monday, October 30th, 1916
TRAGIC FATE OF MRS. BURGE FOUND DROWNED
Estimable Woman Wanders From Home and Dies in Treacherous Stream
CLIMAX OF MISFORTUNE
Husband and Daughter Die Within Period of Little More Than a Year.
Cruel death in the Iowa river was the tragic fate of Mrs. James W. Burge this morning, or Sunday - the terrible event coming as a climax to two other deaths in the family of the heartbroken pioneer. Her lifeless form was found, suspended over the University Dam, this morning.
Despondent, She Wanders Away
She had been despondent, brooding over the deaths of her beloved daughter, Marjorie, which occurred two months ago, and her husband, a pioneer Iowa horseman, who died less than a year before that, and was breaking physically and mentally from old age and grief. Mrs. Burge wandered away from home early Sunday morning, it is believed, as other residents of the Marvin home heard noises about 7 that suggested, when she was subsequently missed, that she went away then.
Lived With Her Daughter.
She resided at 322 East Burlington street, at the home of Mrs. Loretta J. Marvin. She had come hither a few days ago, with her daughter Vannie, who became assistant secretary to President W. A. Jessup, on the return to the old home of the Burge family. She and her aged mother had lived together in Davenport, after the death of the father and husband in that city, a shade more than a year ago. Two other children survive - Charles Burge, of Los Angeles, Cal.; and Mrs. Ed. Weber, one of Iowa City's prominent club women.
A. T. Calkins Makes Dread Discovery.
The body was discovered this morning about 7 o'clock, by A. T. Calkins, sanitary inspector of Iowa City, who chanced a passing - to attend to some business over the river. He could see only a bundle of clothes, apparently on the dam, but he suspected that there might have been a tragedy. Therefore, he communicated with the police, and drove back to the river, with the officer in his vehicle. Later on, Chief J. J. Clark of the Fire department came down, and pending the latter's arrival, Al Tucker, fishing, cast out a hook, and it caught in the clothing.
Chief Clark Comes.
These garments had been tossed by the stream in such a manner as to conceal the body, and when the taut line drew the clothing from its massed condition, rearranging it, the terrible truth became evident. Chief Clark and his aides de camp then pursued the quest, and soon managed to fasten a castout rope-bearing hook in the dress of the ill-fated woman and thus she was soon drawn ashore.
Half Way Across River.
The body lay on the dam, more than half way across the river - that is, about 100 feet east of the last pier of the arch - not the last pier of the bridge, itself, but of those in the water. A log had rested on the garments of the drowned woman, holding them and her, at the crest of the dam, as above indicated. Her head was above the dam's edge, and the water, but was covered by the raiment in such a way, as the forgoing story shows, as to render impossible any observance of the proof of the tragedy. As soon as the body was drawn a little aside, and the dresses swept from their bundlelike condition, the terrible truth was manifest.
Mystery in Tragedy.
The tragedy is veiled in mystery, as no one saw the ill-fated pioneer fall into the stream. She had wandered down that way once before, having been seen on the Burlington street bridge, the city officers were informed, on Saturday afternoon, looking at the stream, and the University Dam. Easily, after reverting to this scene, and returning thereto, she could have become dizzy, and fallen in, during Sunday forenoon, ere the church bells tolled, or even later in the day. Just as easily, she could have been swept towards the dam, where Fate decreed that her dress should be entangled with the log. Thus the discovery - terrible, but better than a silent, mystery-laden vanishing, became possible.
An Early Settler.
Mrs. Burge was 72 years of age. She was a real pioneer of Iowa City, having lived here a good many years ago, long before her husband, a lover of fine horses, known from one end of the state to the other, died in Davenport. The Burges also lied in West Liberty for a time. Mrs. Burge was the daughter of A. T. McElwain, one of the first of Iowa City's pioneers.
Coroner Hurd Informed.
Coroner Charles K. Hurd was promptly informed of the accident, and he investigated promptly. The facts revealed to him - as related above - that the aged woman had wandered down to the treacherous Iowa, Sunday, but how she fell in, nothing proved, as nobody was a witness to the tragedy. No formal inquest, however, will be necessary, as there is no suggestion of foul play, to necessitate the summoning of a jury. If an inquest were held, the verdict would probably be "Accidental death, the manner unknown."
Funeral in Davenport.
The funeral will be held in Davenport, whither the remains will be taken in the morning. The services will be at the Corrigan undertaking apartments, at 2 o'clock. Rev. Dr. Cole, of St. John's Methodist church, will officiate.
The Iowa City Citizen
Published in Iowa City, Iowa
Tuesday, October 31st, 1916
BODY OF WOMAN FOUND IN RIVER
MRS. AGGIE BURGE, 72 YEARS OLD, TAKEN FROM DAM YESTERDAY
Death by Drowning Followed Disappearance of Aged Woman from Home of Daughter Early Sunday Morning.
The body of Mrs. Aggie Burge, 72 years old, was removed from the top of the Burlington street dam across the river Monday morning about 10 o'clock. It had evidently been in the water for some time, and it is believed that the aged woman fell into the river soon after disappearing from the home of her daughter, Mrs. Ed Weber, 336 East Burlington street, about 5:30 o'clock yesterday morning. The finding of the body ended a quest which began Sunday, when relatives of Mrs. Burge, alarmed at her early disappearance, instituted a search for her. Death had evidently been caused by drowning. The theory of premeditated suicide has been dismissed, inasmuch as Mrs. Burge had never spoken of the possibility of such an act and on the contrary was distressed at mention of unusual deaths. She had no troubles nor worries, and it is believed that death was either accidental or that it occurred during a temporary aberration. It is not known where Mrs. Burge fell into the river, but it is supposed that she did so at the Burlington street bridge. The body had been noticed during the morning by several people, who thought it merely a bundle of rags. Charles Stimmel of 316 South Madison St., fishing at the dam Sunday, told companions that he believed it was a body of a woman, but they laughed at the suggestion. Monday morning, however, Mr. Stimmel with T. D. Calkins, city sanitary inspector, and Officer Albert Burger of the police force, removed the body from the dam. The coroner's office was communicated with, and it was taken to the coroner's rooms, where it was identified. Besides Mrs. Weber, Mrs. Burge leaves another daughter, Miss Vannie Burge, who has lately taken a position in the office of President Jessup of the university, and other relatives. The body will be taken to Davenport this morning for burial. The funeral services will be held this afternoon at 2:00 o'clock in the Horrigan undertaking rooms, Davenport, with Dr. Cole of St. John's Methodist church officiating. Interment will be made at Davenport.
The Iowa City Daily Citizen
Published in Iowa City, Iowa
Wednesday, November 1st, 1916
MRS. AGGIE BURGE BURIED YESTERDAY
Funeral services for Mrs. J. W. Burge, who met death in the Iowa river Sunday, were held yesterday afternoon at 2 o'clock in St. Johns Methodist church in Davenport, of which she had been a member for years. Rev. Frank Cole officiated at the service. Prof. McCulloch gave several musical numbers. Members of the W. C. T. U. attended in a body, and members of the organization acted as honorary bearers. Interment was made in Oakdale cemetery, Davenport.
Agnes was born to Andrew Thompson McElwain and Nancy A. Wheatley.
The Iowa City Daily Press
Published in Iowa City, Iowa
Monday, October 30th, 1916
TRAGIC FATE OF MRS. BURGE FOUND DROWNED
Estimable Woman Wanders From Home and Dies in Treacherous Stream
CLIMAX OF MISFORTUNE
Husband and Daughter Die Within Period of Little More Than a Year.
Cruel death in the Iowa river was the tragic fate of Mrs. James W. Burge this morning, or Sunday - the terrible event coming as a climax to two other deaths in the family of the heartbroken pioneer. Her lifeless form was found, suspended over the University Dam, this morning.
Despondent, She Wanders Away
She had been despondent, brooding over the deaths of her beloved daughter, Marjorie, which occurred two months ago, and her husband, a pioneer Iowa horseman, who died less than a year before that, and was breaking physically and mentally from old age and grief. Mrs. Burge wandered away from home early Sunday morning, it is believed, as other residents of the Marvin home heard noises about 7 that suggested, when she was subsequently missed, that she went away then.
Lived With Her Daughter.
She resided at 322 East Burlington street, at the home of Mrs. Loretta J. Marvin. She had come hither a few days ago, with her daughter Vannie, who became assistant secretary to President W. A. Jessup, on the return to the old home of the Burge family. She and her aged mother had lived together in Davenport, after the death of the father and husband in that city, a shade more than a year ago. Two other children survive - Charles Burge, of Los Angeles, Cal.; and Mrs. Ed. Weber, one of Iowa City's prominent club women.
A. T. Calkins Makes Dread Discovery.
The body was discovered this morning about 7 o'clock, by A. T. Calkins, sanitary inspector of Iowa City, who chanced a passing - to attend to some business over the river. He could see only a bundle of clothes, apparently on the dam, but he suspected that there might have been a tragedy. Therefore, he communicated with the police, and drove back to the river, with the officer in his vehicle. Later on, Chief J. J. Clark of the Fire department came down, and pending the latter's arrival, Al Tucker, fishing, cast out a hook, and it caught in the clothing.
Chief Clark Comes.
These garments had been tossed by the stream in such a manner as to conceal the body, and when the taut line drew the clothing from its massed condition, rearranging it, the terrible truth became evident. Chief Clark and his aides de camp then pursued the quest, and soon managed to fasten a castout rope-bearing hook in the dress of the ill-fated woman and thus she was soon drawn ashore.
Half Way Across River.
The body lay on the dam, more than half way across the river - that is, about 100 feet east of the last pier of the arch - not the last pier of the bridge, itself, but of those in the water. A log had rested on the garments of the drowned woman, holding them and her, at the crest of the dam, as above indicated. Her head was above the dam's edge, and the water, but was covered by the raiment in such a way, as the forgoing story shows, as to render impossible any observance of the proof of the tragedy. As soon as the body was drawn a little aside, and the dresses swept from their bundlelike condition, the terrible truth was manifest.
Mystery in Tragedy.
The tragedy is veiled in mystery, as no one saw the ill-fated pioneer fall into the stream. She had wandered down that way once before, having been seen on the Burlington street bridge, the city officers were informed, on Saturday afternoon, looking at the stream, and the University Dam. Easily, after reverting to this scene, and returning thereto, she could have become dizzy, and fallen in, during Sunday forenoon, ere the church bells tolled, or even later in the day. Just as easily, she could have been swept towards the dam, where Fate decreed that her dress should be entangled with the log. Thus the discovery - terrible, but better than a silent, mystery-laden vanishing, became possible.
An Early Settler.
Mrs. Burge was 72 years of age. She was a real pioneer of Iowa City, having lived here a good many years ago, long before her husband, a lover of fine horses, known from one end of the state to the other, died in Davenport. The Burges also lied in West Liberty for a time. Mrs. Burge was the daughter of A. T. McElwain, one of the first of Iowa City's pioneers.
Coroner Hurd Informed.
Coroner Charles K. Hurd was promptly informed of the accident, and he investigated promptly. The facts revealed to him - as related above - that the aged woman had wandered down to the treacherous Iowa, Sunday, but how she fell in, nothing proved, as nobody was a witness to the tragedy. No formal inquest, however, will be necessary, as there is no suggestion of foul play, to necessitate the summoning of a jury. If an inquest were held, the verdict would probably be "Accidental death, the manner unknown."
Funeral in Davenport.
The funeral will be held in Davenport, whither the remains will be taken in the morning. The services will be at the Corrigan undertaking apartments, at 2 o'clock. Rev. Dr. Cole, of St. John's Methodist church, will officiate.
The Iowa City Citizen
Published in Iowa City, Iowa
Tuesday, October 31st, 1916
BODY OF WOMAN FOUND IN RIVER
MRS. AGGIE BURGE, 72 YEARS OLD, TAKEN FROM DAM YESTERDAY
Death by Drowning Followed Disappearance of Aged Woman from Home of Daughter Early Sunday Morning.
The body of Mrs. Aggie Burge, 72 years old, was removed from the top of the Burlington street dam across the river Monday morning about 10 o'clock. It had evidently been in the water for some time, and it is believed that the aged woman fell into the river soon after disappearing from the home of her daughter, Mrs. Ed Weber, 336 East Burlington street, about 5:30 o'clock yesterday morning. The finding of the body ended a quest which began Sunday, when relatives of Mrs. Burge, alarmed at her early disappearance, instituted a search for her. Death had evidently been caused by drowning. The theory of premeditated suicide has been dismissed, inasmuch as Mrs. Burge had never spoken of the possibility of such an act and on the contrary was distressed at mention of unusual deaths. She had no troubles nor worries, and it is believed that death was either accidental or that it occurred during a temporary aberration. It is not known where Mrs. Burge fell into the river, but it is supposed that she did so at the Burlington street bridge. The body had been noticed during the morning by several people, who thought it merely a bundle of rags. Charles Stimmel of 316 South Madison St., fishing at the dam Sunday, told companions that he believed it was a body of a woman, but they laughed at the suggestion. Monday morning, however, Mr. Stimmel with T. D. Calkins, city sanitary inspector, and Officer Albert Burger of the police force, removed the body from the dam. The coroner's office was communicated with, and it was taken to the coroner's rooms, where it was identified. Besides Mrs. Weber, Mrs. Burge leaves another daughter, Miss Vannie Burge, who has lately taken a position in the office of President Jessup of the university, and other relatives. The body will be taken to Davenport this morning for burial. The funeral services will be held this afternoon at 2:00 o'clock in the Horrigan undertaking rooms, Davenport, with Dr. Cole of St. John's Methodist church officiating. Interment will be made at Davenport.
The Iowa City Daily Citizen
Published in Iowa City, Iowa
Wednesday, November 1st, 1916
MRS. AGGIE BURGE BURIED YESTERDAY
Funeral services for Mrs. J. W. Burge, who met death in the Iowa river Sunday, were held yesterday afternoon at 2 o'clock in St. Johns Methodist church in Davenport, of which she had been a member for years. Rev. Frank Cole officiated at the service. Prof. McCulloch gave several musical numbers. Members of the W. C. T. U. attended in a body, and members of the organization acted as honorary bearers. Interment was made in Oakdale cemetery, Davenport.
The Iowa City Daily Press
Published in Iowa City, Iowa
Monday, October 30th, 1916
TRAGIC FATE OF MRS. BURGE FOUND DROWNED
Estimable Woman Wanders From Home and Dies in Treacherous Stream
CLIMAX OF MISFORTUNE
Husband and Daughter Die Within Period of Little More Than a Year.
Cruel death in the Iowa river was the tragic fate of Mrs. James W. Burge this morning, or Sunday - the terrible event coming as a climax to two other deaths in the family of the heartbroken pioneer. Her lifeless form was found, suspended over the University Dam, this morning.
Despondent, She Wanders Away
She had been despondent, brooding over the deaths of her beloved daughter, Marjorie, which occurred two months ago, and her husband, a pioneer Iowa horseman, who died less than a year before that, and was breaking physically and mentally from old age and grief. Mrs. Burge wandered away from home early Sunday morning, it is believed, as other residents of the Marvin home heard noises about 7 that suggested, when she was subsequently missed, that she went away then.
Lived With Her Daughter.
She resided at 322 East Burlington street, at the home of Mrs. Loretta J. Marvin. She had come hither a few days ago, with her daughter Vannie, who became assistant secretary to President W. A. Jessup, on the return to the old home of the Burge family. She and her aged mother had lived together in Davenport, after the death of the father and husband in that city, a shade more than a year ago. Two other children survive - Charles Burge, of Los Angeles, Cal.; and Mrs. Ed. Weber, one of Iowa City's prominent club women.
A. T. Calkins Makes Dread Discovery.
The body was discovered this morning about 7 o'clock, by A. T. Calkins, sanitary inspector of Iowa City, who chanced a passing - to attend to some business over the river. He could see only a bundle of clothes, apparently on the dam, but he suspected that there might have been a tragedy. Therefore, he communicated with the police, and drove back to the river, with the officer in his vehicle. Later on, Chief J. J. Clark of the Fire department came down, and pending the latter's arrival, Al Tucker, fishing, cast out a hook, and it caught in the clothing.
Chief Clark Comes.
These garments had been tossed by the stream in such a manner as to conceal the body, and when the taut line drew the clothing from its massed condition, rearranging it, the terrible truth became evident. Chief Clark and his aides de camp then pursued the quest, and soon managed to fasten a castout rope-bearing hook in the dress of the ill-fated woman and thus she was soon drawn ashore.
Half Way Across River.
The body lay on the dam, more than half way across the river - that is, about 100 feet east of the last pier of the arch - not the last pier of the bridge, itself, but of those in the water. A log had rested on the garments of the drowned woman, holding them and her, at the crest of the dam, as above indicated. Her head was above the dam's edge, and the water, but was covered by the raiment in such a way, as the forgoing story shows, as to render impossible any observance of the proof of the tragedy. As soon as the body was drawn a little aside, and the dresses swept from their bundlelike condition, the terrible truth was manifest.
Mystery in Tragedy.
The tragedy is veiled in mystery, as no one saw the ill-fated pioneer fall into the stream. She had wandered down that way once before, having been seen on the Burlington street bridge, the city officers were informed, on Saturday afternoon, looking at the stream, and the University Dam. Easily, after reverting to this scene, and returning thereto, she could have become dizzy, and fallen in, during Sunday forenoon, ere the church bells tolled, or even later in the day. Just as easily, she could have been swept towards the dam, where Fate decreed that her dress should be entangled with the log. Thus the discovery - terrible, but better than a silent, mystery-laden vanishing, became possible.
An Early Settler.
Mrs. Burge was 72 years of age. She was a real pioneer of Iowa City, having lived here a good many years ago, long before her husband, a lover of fine horses, known from one end of the state to the other, died in Davenport. The Burges also lied in West Liberty for a time. Mrs. Burge was the daughter of A. T. McElwain, one of the first of Iowa City's pioneers.
Coroner Hurd Informed.
Coroner Charles K. Hurd was promptly informed of the accident, and he investigated promptly. The facts revealed to him - as related above - that the aged woman had wandered down to the treacherous Iowa, Sunday, but how she fell in, nothing proved, as nobody was a witness to the tragedy. No formal inquest, however, will be necessary, as there is no suggestion of foul play, to necessitate the summoning of a jury. If an inquest were held, the verdict would probably be "Accidental death, the manner unknown."
Funeral in Davenport.
The funeral will be held in Davenport, whither the remains will be taken in the morning. The services will be at the Corrigan undertaking apartments, at 2 o'clock. Rev. Dr. Cole, of St. John's Methodist church, will officiate.
The Iowa City Citizen
Published in Iowa City, Iowa
Tuesday, October 31st, 1916
BODY OF WOMAN FOUND IN RIVER
MRS. AGGIE BURGE, 72 YEARS OLD, TAKEN FROM DAM YESTERDAY
Death by Drowning Followed Disappearance of Aged Woman from Home of Daughter Early Sunday Morning.
The body of Mrs. Aggie Burge, 72 years old, was removed from the top of the Burlington street dam across the river Monday morning about 10 o'clock. It had evidently been in the water for some time, and it is believed that the aged woman fell into the river soon after disappearing from the home of her daughter, Mrs. Ed Weber, 336 East Burlington street, about 5:30 o'clock yesterday morning. The finding of the body ended a quest which began Sunday, when relatives of Mrs. Burge, alarmed at her early disappearance, instituted a search for her. Death had evidently been caused by drowning. The theory of premeditated suicide has been dismissed, inasmuch as Mrs. Burge had never spoken of the possibility of such an act and on the contrary was distressed at mention of unusual deaths. She had no troubles nor worries, and it is believed that death was either accidental or that it occurred during a temporary aberration. It is not known where Mrs. Burge fell into the river, but it is supposed that she did so at the Burlington street bridge. The body had been noticed during the morning by several people, who thought it merely a bundle of rags. Charles Stimmel of 316 South Madison St., fishing at the dam Sunday, told companions that he believed it was a body of a woman, but they laughed at the suggestion. Monday morning, however, Mr. Stimmel with T. D. Calkins, city sanitary inspector, and Officer Albert Burger of the police force, removed the body from the dam. The coroner's office was communicated with, and it was taken to the coroner's rooms, where it was identified. Besides Mrs. Weber, Mrs. Burge leaves another daughter, Miss Vannie Burge, who has lately taken a position in the office of President Jessup of the university, and other relatives. The body will be taken to Davenport this morning for burial. The funeral services will be held this afternoon at 2:00 o'clock in the Horrigan undertaking rooms, Davenport, with Dr. Cole of St. John's Methodist church officiating. Interment will be made at Davenport.
The Iowa City Daily Citizen
Published in Iowa City, Iowa
Wednesday, November 1st, 1916
MRS. AGGIE BURGE BURIED YESTERDAY
Funeral services for Mrs. J. W. Burge, who met death in the Iowa river Sunday, were held yesterday afternoon at 2 o'clock in St. Johns Methodist church in Davenport, of which she had been a member for years. Rev. Frank Cole officiated at the service. Prof. McCulloch gave several musical numbers. Members of the W. C. T. U. attended in a body, and members of the organization acted as honorary bearers. Interment was made in Oakdale cemetery, Davenport.
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