The Emporia Gazette
Emporia, KS
February 4, 1935
Jim Northington Dead
Transfer Man's Body Is Found In His Home Today
Unless the inquest over the body of Jim Northington, veteran Emporia transfer man, develops new facts, a verdict of accidental death caused by asphyxiation from carbon monoxide gas probably will be returned by the coroner's jury. It developed this afternoon, Mr. Northington, an unmarried man who lived alone at 110 South rural, was found dead in his home at about 10 o'clock this morning. Coroner Philip Morgan started the inquest in the Roberts-Blue funeral chapel at noon today and heard part of the evidence. It was then continued until this evening, pending further investigation, particularly with reference to the gas stove fumes which apparently caused the man's death. After this morning's inquest and a postmortem, Coroner Morgan reported that no evidence of foul play has turned up and that the man did not die from heart disease. There was evidence, he said, that fumes had been breathed. Mr. Northington's body was found shortly before 10 o'clock this morning by two of his employees, George White and Lester Holzapfel. Mr. White reported that they first had gone to the Northington home at about 8 o'clock to get one of two trucks kept there by Mr. Northington. They found the house locked and both trucks there, indicating that Mr. Northington had not left the house. They took the truck for a moving job, returned at about 10 o'clock, and found the house still locked. The men found a kitchen screen loose and they raised a window. Gas fumes came from the house. Entering the house, they found Mr. Northington's body, shirt removed, lying on a couch, a drop light burning and a 2 burner gas stove fully turned on. The heat in the room was intense. Before the inquest, Mr. White reported that he believed one burner which was turned on, was not burning, but at the inquest he was not sure of this. He said that he and Holzapfel turned off the burners, opened the house and notified county and city officers. Coronel Morgan also was called.
In Usual Health Sunday
At the inquest Mr. White and Mr. Holzapfel repeated their stories and accounts of other witnesses were told. Andrew Kyle, 118 South Rural, a neighbor, said that Mr. Northington had been seen working about his place Sunday evening and that he appeared to be in usual health. It was reported also that another neighbor had heard his radio going Sunday evening. Tom Fleming and Harry Aldridge, policemen, told simiilar stories. They said they entered the house and found an extremely high temperature. In the bedroom the bed covers had been turned back, but the bed had not been occupied. Aldridge testified that the stove pipe damper appeared to be partly closed. The house was in good order and there were no signs of a struggle, they said. T. G. Evans testified that he had gone to the home with Sheriff Roy Davis and that he had turned off the gas at the meter under the house. He said that the fumes were strong under the house. The witnesses, including Northington's uncle, Dr. Northington said his nephew had been in real estate deals the past few months. He is said to own some farm land. It is believed that Mr. Northington kept money concealed in his home, but a hasty investigation this morning did not result in locating any money. This afternoon John P. Nelson of the Kansas Electric Power company, together with Cornelius Northington of Kansas City, a brother, investigated the gas stove. The investigation was finished by 3:30 o'clock, and Mr. Nelson was ready to report his findings whenever the inquest was resumed. Nelson said they took down the stove pipe and found it full of soot and dirt, leaving no chance for a draft, consequently the fumes went out into the room. The witnesses at this morning's inquest were expected to serve as jurors in the inquest which was expected to be held late this afternoon. Funeral arrangements have not been made.
Emporia, KS
February 4, 1935
Jim Northington Dead
Transfer Man's Body Is Found In His Home Today
Unless the inquest over the body of Jim Northington, veteran Emporia transfer man, develops new facts, a verdict of accidental death caused by asphyxiation from carbon monoxide gas probably will be returned by the coroner's jury. It developed this afternoon, Mr. Northington, an unmarried man who lived alone at 110 South rural, was found dead in his home at about 10 o'clock this morning. Coroner Philip Morgan started the inquest in the Roberts-Blue funeral chapel at noon today and heard part of the evidence. It was then continued until this evening, pending further investigation, particularly with reference to the gas stove fumes which apparently caused the man's death. After this morning's inquest and a postmortem, Coroner Morgan reported that no evidence of foul play has turned up and that the man did not die from heart disease. There was evidence, he said, that fumes had been breathed. Mr. Northington's body was found shortly before 10 o'clock this morning by two of his employees, George White and Lester Holzapfel. Mr. White reported that they first had gone to the Northington home at about 8 o'clock to get one of two trucks kept there by Mr. Northington. They found the house locked and both trucks there, indicating that Mr. Northington had not left the house. They took the truck for a moving job, returned at about 10 o'clock, and found the house still locked. The men found a kitchen screen loose and they raised a window. Gas fumes came from the house. Entering the house, they found Mr. Northington's body, shirt removed, lying on a couch, a drop light burning and a 2 burner gas stove fully turned on. The heat in the room was intense. Before the inquest, Mr. White reported that he believed one burner which was turned on, was not burning, but at the inquest he was not sure of this. He said that he and Holzapfel turned off the burners, opened the house and notified county and city officers. Coronel Morgan also was called.
In Usual Health Sunday
At the inquest Mr. White and Mr. Holzapfel repeated their stories and accounts of other witnesses were told. Andrew Kyle, 118 South Rural, a neighbor, said that Mr. Northington had been seen working about his place Sunday evening and that he appeared to be in usual health. It was reported also that another neighbor had heard his radio going Sunday evening. Tom Fleming and Harry Aldridge, policemen, told simiilar stories. They said they entered the house and found an extremely high temperature. In the bedroom the bed covers had been turned back, but the bed had not been occupied. Aldridge testified that the stove pipe damper appeared to be partly closed. The house was in good order and there were no signs of a struggle, they said. T. G. Evans testified that he had gone to the home with Sheriff Roy Davis and that he had turned off the gas at the meter under the house. He said that the fumes were strong under the house. The witnesses, including Northington's uncle, Dr. Northington said his nephew had been in real estate deals the past few months. He is said to own some farm land. It is believed that Mr. Northington kept money concealed in his home, but a hasty investigation this morning did not result in locating any money. This afternoon John P. Nelson of the Kansas Electric Power company, together with Cornelius Northington of Kansas City, a brother, investigated the gas stove. The investigation was finished by 3:30 o'clock, and Mr. Nelson was ready to report his findings whenever the inquest was resumed. Nelson said they took down the stove pipe and found it full of soot and dirt, leaving no chance for a draft, consequently the fumes went out into the room. The witnesses at this morning's inquest were expected to serve as jurors in the inquest which was expected to be held late this afternoon. Funeral arrangements have not been made.
The Emporia Gazette
Emporia, KS
February 4, 1935
Jim Northington Dead
Transfer Man's Body Is Found In His Home Today
Unless the inquest over the body of Jim Northington, veteran Emporia transfer man, develops new facts, a verdict of accidental death caused by asphyxiation from carbon monoxide gas probably will be returned by the coroner's jury. It developed this afternoon, Mr. Northington, an unmarried man who lived alone at 110 South rural, was found dead in his home at about 10 o'clock this morning. Coroner Philip Morgan started the inquest in the Roberts-Blue funeral chapel at noon today and heard part of the evidence. It was then continued until this evening, pending further investigation, particularly with reference to the gas stove fumes which apparently caused the man's death. After this morning's inquest and a postmortem, Coroner Morgan reported that no evidence of foul play has turned up and that the man did not die from heart disease. There was evidence, he said, that fumes had been breathed. Mr. Northington's body was found shortly before 10 o'clock this morning by two of his employees, George White and Lester Holzapfel. Mr. White reported that they first had gone to the Northington home at about 8 o'clock to get one of two trucks kept there by Mr. Northington. They found the house locked and both trucks there, indicating that Mr. Northington had not left the house. They took the truck for a moving job, returned at about 10 o'clock, and found the house still locked. The men found a kitchen screen loose and they raised a window. Gas fumes came from the house. Entering the house, they found Mr. Northington's body, shirt removed, lying on a couch, a drop light burning and a 2 burner gas stove fully turned on. The heat in the room was intense. Before the inquest, Mr. White reported that he believed one burner which was turned on, was not burning, but at the inquest he was not sure of this. He said that he and Holzapfel turned off the burners, opened the house and notified county and city officers. Coronel Morgan also was called.
In Usual Health Sunday
At the inquest Mr. White and Mr. Holzapfel repeated their stories and accounts of other witnesses were told. Andrew Kyle, 118 South Rural, a neighbor, said that Mr. Northington had been seen working about his place Sunday evening and that he appeared to be in usual health. It was reported also that another neighbor had heard his radio going Sunday evening. Tom Fleming and Harry Aldridge, policemen, told simiilar stories. They said they entered the house and found an extremely high temperature. In the bedroom the bed covers had been turned back, but the bed had not been occupied. Aldridge testified that the stove pipe damper appeared to be partly closed. The house was in good order and there were no signs of a struggle, they said. T. G. Evans testified that he had gone to the home with Sheriff Roy Davis and that he had turned off the gas at the meter under the house. He said that the fumes were strong under the house. The witnesses, including Northington's uncle, Dr. Northington said his nephew had been in real estate deals the past few months. He is said to own some farm land. It is believed that Mr. Northington kept money concealed in his home, but a hasty investigation this morning did not result in locating any money. This afternoon John P. Nelson of the Kansas Electric Power company, together with Cornelius Northington of Kansas City, a brother, investigated the gas stove. The investigation was finished by 3:30 o'clock, and Mr. Nelson was ready to report his findings whenever the inquest was resumed. Nelson said they took down the stove pipe and found it full of soot and dirt, leaving no chance for a draft, consequently the fumes went out into the room. The witnesses at this morning's inquest were expected to serve as jurors in the inquest which was expected to be held late this afternoon. Funeral arrangements have not been made.
Emporia, KS
February 4, 1935
Jim Northington Dead
Transfer Man's Body Is Found In His Home Today
Unless the inquest over the body of Jim Northington, veteran Emporia transfer man, develops new facts, a verdict of accidental death caused by asphyxiation from carbon monoxide gas probably will be returned by the coroner's jury. It developed this afternoon, Mr. Northington, an unmarried man who lived alone at 110 South rural, was found dead in his home at about 10 o'clock this morning. Coroner Philip Morgan started the inquest in the Roberts-Blue funeral chapel at noon today and heard part of the evidence. It was then continued until this evening, pending further investigation, particularly with reference to the gas stove fumes which apparently caused the man's death. After this morning's inquest and a postmortem, Coroner Morgan reported that no evidence of foul play has turned up and that the man did not die from heart disease. There was evidence, he said, that fumes had been breathed. Mr. Northington's body was found shortly before 10 o'clock this morning by two of his employees, George White and Lester Holzapfel. Mr. White reported that they first had gone to the Northington home at about 8 o'clock to get one of two trucks kept there by Mr. Northington. They found the house locked and both trucks there, indicating that Mr. Northington had not left the house. They took the truck for a moving job, returned at about 10 o'clock, and found the house still locked. The men found a kitchen screen loose and they raised a window. Gas fumes came from the house. Entering the house, they found Mr. Northington's body, shirt removed, lying on a couch, a drop light burning and a 2 burner gas stove fully turned on. The heat in the room was intense. Before the inquest, Mr. White reported that he believed one burner which was turned on, was not burning, but at the inquest he was not sure of this. He said that he and Holzapfel turned off the burners, opened the house and notified county and city officers. Coronel Morgan also was called.
In Usual Health Sunday
At the inquest Mr. White and Mr. Holzapfel repeated their stories and accounts of other witnesses were told. Andrew Kyle, 118 South Rural, a neighbor, said that Mr. Northington had been seen working about his place Sunday evening and that he appeared to be in usual health. It was reported also that another neighbor had heard his radio going Sunday evening. Tom Fleming and Harry Aldridge, policemen, told simiilar stories. They said they entered the house and found an extremely high temperature. In the bedroom the bed covers had been turned back, but the bed had not been occupied. Aldridge testified that the stove pipe damper appeared to be partly closed. The house was in good order and there were no signs of a struggle, they said. T. G. Evans testified that he had gone to the home with Sheriff Roy Davis and that he had turned off the gas at the meter under the house. He said that the fumes were strong under the house. The witnesses, including Northington's uncle, Dr. Northington said his nephew had been in real estate deals the past few months. He is said to own some farm land. It is believed that Mr. Northington kept money concealed in his home, but a hasty investigation this morning did not result in locating any money. This afternoon John P. Nelson of the Kansas Electric Power company, together with Cornelius Northington of Kansas City, a brother, investigated the gas stove. The investigation was finished by 3:30 o'clock, and Mr. Nelson was ready to report his findings whenever the inquest was resumed. Nelson said they took down the stove pipe and found it full of soot and dirt, leaving no chance for a draft, consequently the fumes went out into the room. The witnesses at this morning's inquest were expected to serve as jurors in the inquest which was expected to be held late this afternoon. Funeral arrangements have not been made.
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Records on Ancestry
Advertisement
