 EARL STURTEVANT - MYSTERIOUS DEATH
Contributed by Linda Sturtevant Irwin Earl Sturtevant, Shannon Marshal found dead Thomson Review, 23 June 1932 Earl Sturtevant, Shannon night marshal was found in his car about 5:20 this morning, by the driver of Freeport Bread Company, driver No 7. A doctor was called and after a brief examination of the body, declared he thought Sturtevant had died of heart trouble. Sheriff Shiley and Corner Schreiter were notified at once and the two county officials, along with States Attorney Ralph Eaton, his secretary and Mrs. Kermitt Paul, left at once for Shannon, where an inquest was held this morning. The driver of the bread truck drove into Shannon about 5 o’clock this morning and stopped at the Baer Store where he delivered bread. When he drove up the main street he noticed that Sturtevant was sitting in his car apparently asleep. After delivering the bread and seeing that the Shannon man did not wake up after two cars went by, the Freeport man walked over to Sturtevant’s car, which was standing in front of the Shannon station. When he opened the car he saw that Sturtevant was dead. The Freeport man immediately summoned some people who were passing by and a doctor was called. The medical man made only a cursory examination of the body, as he was not allowed to touch it, until the corner was called. Various reports concerning the death were circulated and it was reported that Sturtevant had been shot by bootleggers, by someone with a grudge against him, or by someone who tried to break into a Shannon store and was surprised by the marshal. According to the Freeport bread man, Sturtevant sat in his car in a natural position, with a folded blanket under his head, making it appear as if he fell ill and crawled into the car to rest a bit. It would have been about impossible for some person or persons to shoot Sturtevant and place him in the car in that position. Stories connecting outsiders with Sturtevant’s death were started when it was reported that his gun was found on the floor of his car near his feet. This later report also was interpreted by many as meaning that he had killed himself. A late report stated that there were no gun shot wounds on the body, and from that information it is surmised that Sturtevant died of natural causes. Bruises found on the body of Earl Sturtevant, town marshal at Shannon, whose body was found slumped in his automobile on the main street of Shannon, about 5:30 on the morning of June 23, indicate that he was beaten to death, declared States Attorney Ralph Eaton last week. While neither Mr. Eaton nor Sherriff Harry Shiley would give any announcement in regard to the finding of Col. Calvin Goddard, Northwestern University ballistics expert, who examined the 38 caliber bullet which caused Sturtevant’s death and which was taken from the body, they both indicated that an intensive search for the slayers has been pressed. Sturtevant’s 38 caliber revolver was found by his side the morning of the death and the examination was made by the ballistic expert to try and find whether the bullet which caused the marshal’s death came from his own gun or from one of similar caliber. States Attorney Eaton expressed the belief that the marks which appeared to indicate that the man had been attacked, probably with a blackjack and was afterward shot to death. The blue marks which were apparently serious bruises, were not noticed when the body was first found. The marks extended from the upper right forehead to below the temple. Four small blue marks were also discovered on the left side of the forehead. The marks indicated that Sturtevant had been struck hard enough to become unconscious officials stated. Plan to Continue Investigation into Mysterious Death of Sturtevant, Coroner’s Jury
Carroll County officials planned to continue their investigation regarding the sudden death of Earl Sturtevant, former Shannon night marshal, who was found dead in his own car on the morning of June 23,. After the coroner’s jury returned an open verdict at the continuation of the inquest last week. Coroner Schreiter, who had dismissed the jury subject to recall, on June 25, had the men meet at Shannon, Thursday morning where the case was reopened. After hearing different testimony the jury voted that Earl F. Sturtevant came to his death by a bullet wound in his abdomen, by means unknown to the jury. In taking this stand it appears that the jury was not convinced that Sturtevant committed suicide, and that the members felt that he might have been murdered. Clarence Stiffler, driver of a Freeport Bread Company truck, was called and asked to testify at the inquest. He told of how he noticed Sturtevant in his car the morning of the 3rd, and how on closer examination he discovered that the officer was dead. He called for help and Dr. A. Grassau took charge of the body. Mayor J.J. Warner, of Shannon, testified that Sturtevant had punched the time clock at 3 a.m. just about 2 hours before he was found dead. States Attorney Eaton told the jury of the findings of the ballistics expert in Chicago, to whom the bullet found in Sturtevant and his gun, were taken. The bullet and gun were taken to the offices of the Scientific Crime Detection laboratory in Chicago; where they were examined by Seth Wiard, assistant to Col. Calvin Goddard. After the careful tests, Wiard decided that the bullet that killed the Shannon marshal had come from his own gun, and that it corresponded to the empty shell in the revolver which had belonged to Sturtevant. Highway patrolman, Glenn Erdmier and Ralph Scharman, funeral director, testified in regard to the bruises on Sturtevant’s head and face, but nothing of a definite nature was introduced. One interesting fact brought out was that when the body was discovered, the gun was found on the floor of the car between the dead man’s feet. While his right hand was on the right side of the right knee. Shannon folks are firm in their belief that Sturtevant was killed, and are doing everything in their power to help bring the culprit, if such there be, to justice. Note: Earl F. Sturtevant was the son of John and Elizabeth Stubbs Sturtevant, of Cherry Grove Township, Carroll County, Illinois
Earl Sturtevant was born in Shannon, Illinois, April 2, 1891, to Mr. and
Mrs. John Sturtevant. He was educated in the public schools of Shannon and
during his later life has been active in American Legion work.
He is survived by his wife, Irene Sturtevant; two brothers, Will and Harry K.
both of Rockford; one sister, Mrs. Harry Kline of Rockford; his mother, Mrs.
Elizabeth Kline of Rockford and one half brother John Grush of Sibley, Iowa.
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