Obituary of John France, Comanche County, KSGenWeb Digital Library

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THE WESTERN STAR, 9 June 1916

Obituary of JOHN FRANCE

SUDDEN DEATH OF JOHN FRANCE

John France, who had made his home in this county for several years, is dead. His lifeless body was found by the side of the road about one half mile south of P. A. Johnston's home, between here and Protection and 4
miles west of this city on Friday of last week. A traveling man coming from Protection to this city was the first to see the dead man. That was about 2 o'clock p.m. The authorities in this city were promptly notified. Deputy Sheriff Geo. Williams and Elza Holmes, undertaker, went at once to where the body lay and made an investigation. It was apparent that death had occurred only a short time before the body was found. It was learned that during the forenoon Mr. France had secured a wagon and team in town and had gone to the Nathan Lindley place, northeast of Protection, after a load of old iron and junk for Uncle Zach Powell. On
the return trip Mr. France had evidently taken sick, and had either fallen off the wagon or had climbed down and lain on the ground with a view of resting. A sudden attack of either brain or heart trouble was probably the cause of death. Some bruised were found on the body but there were no evidences of a struggle or of serious injury from the fall. No coroner's inquest was held.

Deceased was about 45 years of age. He was a native of England, but had been in this country for 15 or 20 years. He was a hard working and trustworthy man. For several years he had worked either in town or on
some farm or ranch in this county, the past 8 or 9 months at the Platt (Arrington) ranch in Rumsey-tp. While in town he worked for Kehl & Son, Zach Powell and others. He was a good worker and usually saved a good portion of his earnings. At the time of his death he had a fair-sized bank account. Mr. France was of a retiring and modest disposition, hence he did not form many acquaintances. For a number of years he had been afflicted with a nervous trouble, the result of an injury to the spine while working on a farm in Canada several years ago. At the time the accident occurred he was on a load of hay and was driving into a barn, when he was struck on the back of the neck by a heavy beam.

Not much can be learned of the life story of the deceased. He was very non-communicative in regard to his ancestry, even to his closest friends. It was generally understood, however, that he had very few relatives in this country-possibly an uncle or a brother in Canada and a distant relative some where in Oklahoma.

The body of the deceased was embalmed and the authorities here at once made an attempt to locate some relative, but up to Sunday noon were unable to do so. Consequently burial was made in the Coldwater cemetery on Sunday afternoon. Appropriate funeral services were held in the M. E. church at 2 p.m., the pastor, Rev. Ralph W. Syrick, being in charge.

Transcribed and Contributed by Shirley Brier

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