We the jury having been dewly sworn by William Posey, Coronor of Wayne County diligently to inquire and _____ment make in what manner and by whome James Gipson whose dead body was found in the skillet fork near Mauldings Mills on the first day of October 1838 came to his death. After having heard the evidence and upon full inquiry concerning the facts and a carefull aximination of the said body doo find that the decest came to his death by violence and we the jury doo find that the skillet fork aforesaid in the county aforesaid he the said James Gipson then and there being alone in a common river –then called the skillet fork himself voluntarily and wickedly drowned and so the jurors aforesaid upon their oaths aforesaid say that the said (paper faded here) ___ and ____aforesaid the____self killed and murdered.

Given under our hands Oct 1^st 1838

Forman__ Preness maulding

Jahalon Taylor, Jos. Walan; Andrew Davis; William Har_: John Simons; Nathan Turner; Abram Ramsy; Arther Jonson; George Maybey; William Peer; Joseph Miller

Inquest over Samuel Frazier

Fairfield Illinois Jan 28^th 1845

We the jury are of the opinion that Samuel Frazier who now his dead before us came to his death by Intemperance and exposure to the inclemency of the weather on the 28^th inst.

Foreman: John Brown

Jurors: Robert Wilson; A. T. Dozirs; Caleb Wilmans; R. L. Boggs; Y. Skinner?; J. W. Barnhill; I. L. Wamack; John Brown; Thos. Wilson; Thos. T. Bonham; Thos. Cooper

Inquest over the body of Samuel Frazier. Filed 29^th Jany 1845 J. G. Barkley Clerk

Inquest over Sirrys Montgaul

Wayne County, Illinois August 5, 1845

We of the jury after dew examination of the boddy of Sirrys Montgall, deceased are not of opinion that said dec’d person came to his death by any unlawful means.

Jeremiah Hargrave

A list of Jurors I selected & sworn to serve on the inquest held over the dead body of Sirrys Montgaul on the 5^th of August 1845 viz. Jerimiah Hargrave

William A. Forth; John n. Helm; Lewis Cox; Joseph McKinney; Joseph Sessions; Dan’l Williams; Wm. Higginbotom; John Haws; Stewart M. Hargrave; James Chapman; Levi Warren

I hereby certify that the above is the verdict of the jury of 12 men selected and sworn to exammon the boddy of Sirrys Montgaul deceased to ascertain if said Montgaul came to his death by any unlawful means. Signed by thare Foreman on the 5^th day of August 1845

Given under my hand and seal on the Day and Date above written

Benjamin Haws J P W C

Inquest on the body of George Melton

Filed 22 Jany 1846

State of Illinois, Wayne County

Whereas it was presented to me Charles L. Carter, coronor of said county- on the 21^st day of January 1846 that a male person was buried in the graveyard near the late residence of William Posey in said county supposed to have come to his death by violent abuse and ill treatment.

Where upon I forthwith summoned a jury of twelve good and lawful men of the neighborhood to wit: Holly Hodges; William Campbell; Asa Farmer; Thomas Linthacum, Sen’r; William Powless, William Hoskins; John Hudson; John White, Sen’r; John Darr; William butler; Sam’l Borah and Joseph C. Farmer- to enquire how and in what manner, and by whom or what he came by his death. And as soon as the Jurors assembled at the graveyard where the said body was- I appointed Holly Hodges one of them as foreman, and in the presence of all the rest administered to him the oath required by law as foreman, and to the other jurors-also the oath required by law.

Where upon the said jurors, after examination of the said dead body and hearing testimony of Doctors, Dan’l Turney, A. T. Dozier and R. L. Boggs; Ruth Ann Black, Robert Black, Henry McAnally, Warren E. McMackin and Milton Goodridge who were brot forward as witnesses returned the following verdict to wit:

Jan 22, 1846

“We the jurors, over the body of George Melton agree that the deceased came to his death partly from a dropsical affliction of the hart& brain, and partly from the brutal treatment rec’d from the hands of Samuel S. McMackin and his wife Jane McMackin, of Wayne county Illinois”

Holly Hodges Foreman

I Charles L. carter coroner in and for the County and State aforesaid, do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true statement of the proceedings had before me of and concerning the death of said George Melton.

Given under my hand and seal this 22, day of January 1846

Charles L. Carter

Coroner

The info below was found on another paper in Case 1 box 5. ( someone put it in the wrong box. Should have been put back in Box 6 as the inquest report above was in box 6.)

In pursuance of my duty as Coroner of Wayne County Illinois, I held an inquest over the dead body George melton deceased. (names of jurors, Dr.’s and witnesses)

I do herby certify that the above jury, witnesses and Board of Physicians served two days on said inquest given under my hand 26^th day of 1846

C. L. Carter Cor. W. C.

Inquest on the body of Wm. Truscot

18^th July 1848

State of Illinois

Wayne County

Whareas it was Represented to me Voletine C. Borah coroner of said County, on the 18^th day of July 1848. That the body of William Trusco9t was found, dead at his own home. Supposed to have come to his death by violence, whereupon I forth with summoned a Jury with a jury of Twelve good and lawful men of the neighborhood to wit: N. E. Roberts, John Bovee Jr. Samuel Allison, Wm. Shores, Sen., John T. Scott, James Shores, James Melrose, Wm. Patterson, R. B. Robinson, James M. Garner, R. A. Jones and Hiram Shores, to inquire & the cause of said death.

And when assembled at the place wher the body was lying, I appointed N. E. Roberts foreman and administered to him the oath required by law as foreman and also administered the oath required by law to the other jurors, whereupon the dead body was examined and after hearing the testimony of witnesses, the jury returned the following verdict. To wit: We the jury assembled at the home of William Truscott on the 18^th day of July 1848 by order of the coroner of Wayne county after being duly sworn do find on examination of the body of said Truscott that he came to his death by shooting himself by means of a string fastened to the trigger of a rifle gun and pulled off by his foot and the ball entered his forehead found dead in his own house this 18^th day of July A D 1848.

Jurors signed their names: Nathan E. Roberts} Foreman. John Bovee Jr., Samuel Allison, William Shores, Sen., John T. Scott, James Shores, James Molrose, Wm. Patterson, R. B. Robinson, James M. Garner, R. A. Jones, Hiram Shores.

I Volentine C. Borah, coronor in & for the county aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true statement of the proceedings had before me of & concerning the death of the said William Truscott.

Given under my hand and seal this 20^th day of July 1848

Volantine C. Borah Coronor

Inquest over James D. Watkins

State of Illinois Wayne County

Whare as on the fifth day of December AD 1852 that a male person was found dead at Robert T. Forth’s in his corn crib in said county. Supposed to have came to his death by a violent casualty or un due means whare upon I forth with summoned a jury of twelve good and lawful men of the neighborhood to wit: Isaac E. Brown; W. E. Ellis; James McCrill; Levi Warren; Wm. Warren; Garret B. French; T. J. Brown, Thomas Cox, Wm. Hollawa (Holloway?); George W. Ayers, Nathan Woolf, and Jonah Graham to inquire how and in what manner and by whome or what he came by his death and as soon as the said jury assembled at that place where the said boddy was laying. I appointed Isaac E. Brown one of them as Foreman and in the presence of all the rest administered to him the oath according to law and to the others also the same oath whare upon the said jury after examination of the said boddy and hearing the testimony of E. P. Flinn; Wm. Orr; Wm. Windle; Jacob Janes; Wm. Scott; Edward Marshall; R. T. Forth; Leonard C. Gurley; James McCrill; and John Forth who ware subpeanoed as witnesses returned the following verdict to wit: We the under sined jurors empanneled and sworn to inquire have and in what manner and by whom or what the dead boddy came to its death. We find upon examination of the said boddy and the fore going named witnesses examined. That the name of the dead man was James A. Watkins. That he came to his death by his own mis-conduct and drunkenness and that the estate of the dec’d is amply sufficient to defray the expenses of the inquest and of his funeral.

{here the Jurors all named again}

I Hezekial H. Brown a Justice of the Peace in and for said county and state do hereby certify that the saying is a true statement of the proceedings had before me of and concerning the death of the said James D. Walkins.

Given under my hand and seal this 5^th day of December 1852.

H. H. Brown, JP

Filed 6^th Dec 1852 J. G. Barkley Clk

Inquest over the body of John B. Hunt

State of Illinois

1853

Wayne County

We the jurors of inquest over the boddy of John B. Hunt after hearing the evidence and making a close examination of the boddy give our verdict that he came to his death by the improper use of his own hands by hanging himself by the neck until he was dead on the 26^th of this inst.

Johnson Cunningham, (Forman); Eli McDaniel; George W. Sly; Santford Mart; Andrew Heath; Peter McDaniel; Robert Crage (Craig); Elijah Sly; John Bayles; J. P. Cooke;

I James Fitsgerrel Coronor of the county Mayne do certify that I have held the above inquest according to law. Given under my hand this 28^th of February 1853.

Inquest over the body of Robert Bleakley

Filed 27^th May 1854

State of Illinois, Wayne County

Whareas it was represented to me W. H. Porterfield a Justice of the Peace in said county on the 12^th day of May that a male person was found dead at the house of Matthew Bleakley in said County. Supposed to have come to his death by violence casualty or undue means. Whareupon I forthwith summoned a jury of twelve good and lawful men of the neighbourhood to wit: Wm. Holmes as foreman; AARON West; Philip Yohe; John Porterfield; J. H. Travers; Mathew McKelvy; Andrew Enlow; Copelin McKelvy; Rubin Cross; David McCollum; John McCollum; Thos. Jackson to inquire how and in what manner and by whome or what he came to his death. And as soon as the said jurors assembled at the said place where the said dead body was found I appointed Wm. Holmes one of the them as foreman and in the preasence of all the rest, administered to him the following oath. You as foreman of this inquest do solemly swear that you will digigently inquire into how an in what maner and by whom or what the body which here lies came to its death and that you will deliver to me a true inquest there of according to such evidence as the following oath to wit; The same oath which Wm. Holmes youre foreman has just now taken on his part, you and each of you do solemly swer to keep on your respective parts So help you God.

Whereupon the said jurors after examination of the said dead body and hearing the testimony of Jane Bleakley, Elizabeth Bleakley, Mary Bleakley, and Andrew Bleakley who were subpoenaed as witnesses returned the following verdict to wit: We the undersigned jurors empaneled and sworn to inquire how and in what manner and by whom the dead body came to his death. Do find upon examination of the said body, and the testimony Jane Bleakley, Elizabeth Bleakley, Mary Bleakley, and Andrew Bleakley that the name of the dead man is Robert Bleakley and that he came to his death by hanging himself with a rope by the neck until dead. From the evidence and circumstances supposed to be caused by insanity as we suppose, and that the estate of the dec’d is amply sufficient to defray the expenses of the inquest and funeral charges.

Given under our hands this 12^th day of May A. D. 1854

{Here the names of the Jurors were written again. Each one signed their names.}

Coroner Inquest over the Body of Jenu Duke

Filed 18 July 1861

(Top part of paper missing)

And has the (rest of paper missing on this sentence)

Throat cut from ear to ear and the said deed done on or about the 13^th inst.

Jurors:

Foreman; A. S. Hargrave

Jessa Laird; Stephen Stines; Thomas Green, M. D.; Ephram Rice; Levi Shreyer; (paper torn on next name) John A. Flick; Wm. Caldwell; David Crumbacher; Samuel Fitzgerrel; R. B Wright, M. D.

Note from Laurie: I found the following abstract articles in Doris Bland’s

Wayne County Illinois Newspaper Gleanings 1855-1875…

Prairie Pioneer

May 5, 1861

On Saturday the 10^th ult. A horrible murder was committed in our county. Jehu Duke, an old resident living near Enterprise, ten miles north of this place, was shot through the head and his throat by some unknown person. A man by the name of White was arrested on suspicion.”

Prairie Pioneer

Oct 31, 1861

“Departed this life, in the county jail Waller O. White, aged about 30 years Formerly of ___son, County, Ky. The deceased as our readers are aware was arrested and lodged in jail as the murderer of Jehu Duke of this county. Whether true or false, we have the most indubitable testimony of his previous good character from his youth, up to his departure from Ky.”

“He died of continued fever, having few comforts and attention such as the sick so much need or that a Christian community ought to have given.”

Additional information

INQUEST ON BODY OF JOHN JONES

State of Illinois

Wayne County

An inquisition taken for the people for the State of Illinois at the house known as the Tom Payne house in the Town of Fourmile in Said County of Wayne on the 24th of February A.D. 1878. M. T. Berry Coroner in an for Said County upon the view of the body of John Jones then and there being dead. Upon the oaths of B. M. Garner, Jep Ray, John Wolf, Thomas Lewis, W. H. Stephens, George Wright, John Robinson, W. T. Faulkner, Warren Faulkner, N. E. Staggs, J. C. Merritt and Sanford Walker, good and lawful men of the said county, who being sworn to inquire on the part of the people of the State of Illinois into all the circumstances attending the death of the said John Jones and by whom the same was produced and in what manner and when and whare the said John Jones came to his death, do say upon their oaths as aforesaid. That one David Walker of Fourmile Township, in the county of Wayne aforesaid on the 24th day of February A.D. 1878 at 10 o'clock a.m. of that day did at a house known as the Tom Payne house in Fourmile Town, county of Wayne then and there present and that the aforesaid David Walker then and there with a certain loaded shot gun which he the said David Walker then and there held in his hand did in self defense inflict a mortal wound in the abdomen of the said John Jones of which said mortal wound the said John Jones then and there instantly on the 24th day of February A. D. 1878 died and so the said Jurors do say that the said David Walker did then and there kill the said John Jones in self defense in witness whereof the Jurors aforesaid have to this verdict set their hands on the 25th day of February A. D. 1878 as aforesaid.

B.M. Gamer Foreman

W- T. Faulkner Sanford Walker

N. E. Staggs Jeptha Ray

T. W. Lewis J. C. Wolf

Warren Faulkner J. C. Merret

Wm. H. Stephens G. W. Wright

John Robinson

The within Verdict was made up signed and delivered to me this 25th day of February 1878,

Marion T. Berry

Coroner of Wayne Co.

INQUEST ON THE BODY OF GEORGE W. KEEN

We the jury summoned on an inquest over the body of George W. Keen, deceased do find from the evidence that the said George W. Keen came to his death by a pistol shot fired by the hand of Wm. Howard on the 3rd day of Jan. 1877 at the house of Boon Howard's in Jefferson Co. State

of Illinois. This Jan. 11th 1877.

Syria J. Branson Foreman

J. F. Fry E. Marshall

R. Easley J. W. Anderson

J. R. Easley John Wood

Charles Baker F. P. Branson

A. G. Hobson L.M. Anderson

Wm. N? Anderson

Filed in this office January 17 A. D. 1877.

Robt. E. Mabry Circuit Clerk of Wayne County, Illinois

INQUEST ON BODY OF CLARA FORTH

State of Illinois

Wayne County.

An inquisition taken for the people of the state of Illinois near the house of John Pennington, in the town of Indian Praire in said county of Wayne on the 13th day of February A.D. 1888 before Wm. M. Alvis a Justice of the Peace in and for said county, upon the view of the body of Clara Forth, then and there lying dead, upon the oaths of Sam H. Cook, W. L. Tenney, L. M. Forth, John Milner, Anthony Pennington, J. W. Spicer, good and lawful men of the said county, who, being duly sworn to inquire on the part of the people of the State of Illinois into all the circumstances attending the death of the said Clara Forth, and came to her death, do say upon their oaths aforesaid, that one Levi Forth of the town of Arrington in the County of Wayne,

aforesaid on the 13th day of February A.D. 1888 at or near 9 o'clock A.M. of that day with force and arms did, at the NW comer of a corn field near the house of John Pennington, in the County of Wayne aforesaid then and there feloniously, violently and of his malice aforethought make an

assault upon the body of the aforesaid Clara Forth, his wife, then and there present, and that the aforesaid Levi Forth then and there with a certain club about 21/2 feet long and about 11/2 inches in diameter strike her 5 or 6 times crushing the skull knocking her down and then cutting her throat from ear to ear with a razor, which he the said Levi Forth then and there held in his hand, violently and feloniously, and of his malice aforethought, inflict the mortal wounds above named, of which said mortal wounds the said Clara Forth then and there died instantly. And so the said jurors do say, that the said Levi Forth did then and there feloniously kill and murder the said Clara Forth, his wife, against the peace of the people of this state and their dignity. In

witness whereof, the jurors aforesaid have to this verdict set their hands, on the said day of the date of this inquisition, as aforesaid.

The within verdict was made up. Signed and delivered to me this 13th day of Feb 1888.

Wm. Alvis J. P.

(Clara Forth and Josie Ellis sisters)

JOSIE ELLIS in her 14th year being duly sworn states that they met Levi Forth at the comer near where the body now lies. He wanted Clara to live with him. They talked about 10 minutes. He had the club when met. He struck her 5 or 6 times with the club knocking her down and then taking a razor from his pocket and cut her throat. He then left going in a westerly, I staid near, all the time.

Wm. JONES being sworn says he was coming along the big Road. He heard some one screaming. He turned down the lane met Josie Ellis about 200 yards east of where the deed was committed. She told him that Levi Forth had killed Clara. He then turned and went on to McReynolds. Told McReynolds about it. He and Andy McReynolds came on to where the body lay. Found the body in the same posititon as it lay where jury viewed it.

(Box 7 west wall )

INQUEST ON BODY OF LEVI FORTH

State of Illinois

Wayne County.

An inquisition taken for the people of the State of Illinois, at the barn of Jacob Milner (dec'd) in the town of Indian Prairie, in said county of Wayne on the 13th day of February 1888 before W. M. Alvis, a Justice of the Peace in and for said county, upon the view of the body of Levi Forth then and there lying dead. Upon the oaths of Ark Tenney, Warren Mason. Thomas H. Tibbs, Edward Yoho, William Hilliard and T. B. Spicer, good and lawful men of the said county, who being duly sworn to inquire on the part of the people of the State of Illinois, into all the circumstances attending the death of the said Levi Forth and by whom the same was produced and in what manner, and when and where the said Levi Forth came his death, do say, upon their

oaths as aforesaid, that the said Levi Forth die, on the 13th day of February 1888, near the Town of Johnsonville in said county of Wayne voluntarily and of his own malice aforethought, inflict a mortal wound in and upon the body of himself with a razor in his own hand by cutting his throat,

the said Levi Forth of which said mortal wounds the said Levi Forth then and there instantly died, (or at least a very short time, and so the Jurors aforesaid, upon their oaths, say the said Levi Forth did then and there in manner aforesaid, voluntarily and of his own malice aforethought, kill and murder himself, the said Levi Forth against the Peace of the people of this state and their dignity,

In witness whereof, the jurors aforesaid have to this verdict set their hands, on the day of the

date of this inquisition as aforesaid.

Jurors Ark Tenney Foreman

Warren Mason Edward Yoho

Thomas H. Tibbs William Hilliard

T. B. Spicer

In the case of the dead body of Levi Forth found in barn Feb. 13th, 1888.

Sylvester Powless and John O'Mar testified that they saw the deceased when within about 35 paces from the log stable on the farm of Jacob Milner, (dec'd) about eleven o'clock a.m. on the 13th day of Feb. 1888, and upon approaching found said deceased dead with gash cut in both sides of neck and from the fact that a razor was found covered with blood nearby, the virdict of this jury is that said Levi Forth came to his death from loss of blood from wounds in neck and throat made by razor in his own hands.

(Ark. Tenney the foreman wrote above, then each juror had signed their own names to this

statement.)

The within verdict was made up signed and delivered to roe this 13th day of Feb 1888.

W. M. Alvis, J. P.

(Box 7 West Wall Circuit Clerks Office, Wayne Co., Il.)

INQUEST ON BODY OF BENJAMIN TURNER

Case 1 Box 6

State of Illinois

Wayne County

Whereas it was represented us Nathan Crews and Joseph F. Tomison two Justices of the Peace of said county on the 2nd day of May 1857 that the body of Benjamin Turner was found dead near Dear Creek in Wayne County, Illinois supposed to have come to his death by violence. Where uppon we fourthwith summoned a jury of twelve good and lawful men of the neighborhood to wit: R. L. Boggs, John Lowery, John R. Spicer, P. C. Bell, John F. Ghorbe?, John I. Baker, Thomas Eads, Martin Emmons, Adam Rinard, David Alien, N. P. Branch, and Sylvester Rider to enquire & c the cause of said

death. And when assembled at the place wher the body was lying we appointed R. L, Boggs formon and administered to him the oath required by law as formon and also administered the oath required by law to the other jurors whereuppon the dead body was examined and after hearing the evidence of witnesses the jury returned the following verdict to wit:

We the undersigned jurors empanneled to hold an inquest over the dead body of Benjamin Turner found this morning in the woods near Deer Creek in Wayne Co. Ill, find that said Turner came to his death from a gunshot would inflicted by some person unknown to the jurors.

May 2nd, 1857.

It appeared in evidence the above named Benjamin Turner was last seen alive on the evening of the twenty fourth day of last month in the company of William J. Green, who had a gun in his possession & stated that he & said Turner wer going a turkey hunting.

Original signatures of jury: (*Note. Some last names misspelled in body of letter.)

R.L. Boggs Forman

Jno Lowrey John R. Spicer

P.C. Bales John F. Shorb (looks like Ghorbe in letter.)

John D. Baker Thos. Ades

Martin Emmons Adam Rinard

David Alien N. P. Branch

Sylvester Rider.

We Nathan Crews & Joseph F. Tomison two Justices of the peace in & for the County a foresaid, do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true statement of the proceeding had before us of and concerning the death of the said Benjamin Turner. Given under our hands and seal this 2nd May 1857.

Nathan Crews J.P. {seal}

J. F. Thomason J.P. {seal}

INQUEST ON BODY OF WILLIAM A. DODDS

State of Illinois

Wayne County

Record of an inquisition before Marion T. Berry Coroner of said county, at Fail-field in

said County on the 29th day of October A. D. 1877 upon the body of William A. Dodds then and there lying dead, twelve good and lawful men of said county and neighborhood, where the said body was found, to wit:

John D. Handley, T. L. Cooper, S. M. Staley, W. W. George, Riley Ross, R. F. Brown, E. S. Black, z. Bean, W. N. Dickey, W. G. Can-others, C. W. Summers and Thos. W. Scott having been by me first duly sworn, according to law, diligently to inquire into, and true presentment make, how, in what manner, by whom, or by what the said body came to its death, and having heard all the evidence touching the said inquiry, did return to me, as Coroner aforesaid, the following verdict, duly signed by them all:

We the undersigned Jurors sworn to inquire of the death of Capt. Wm. A- Dodds on oath do find that he came to his death by conjestion produced by excessive drinking and dissipation.

And I Marion T. Berry as such Coroner, hereby certify that on or about the said body was found

One pocket book containing Five and 13/100 dollars. Some miscellaneous papers and letters and

two revolvers.

Given under my hand and seal, at Fairfield the day and year first above written.

M. T. Berry, Coroner of

Wayne County.

INQUEST ON THE BODY OF ANN SUTTERFIELD

State of Illinois

Wayne County.

Held at Beech Bluff in the Town of Leech in the County of Wayne and State of Illinois, on

Thursday the 15th day of July, 1888. James E. Inskeep, Coroner.

R. P. Hardy, John W. Lewis, Bishop A. Lucas, John Shirley, Polk Green and William Lock.

Mrs. Polk Green; I am acquainted with the deceased, her name is Annie Sutterfield, was not present when she was drowned but come afterward, examined the corpse saw no bruises about her. Mrs. Keelan said she saw no bruises about the girl either. Christiana Green says she heard a noise and someone crying out and she left her work and ran to the river, where she saw the deceased struggling in the water with her little brother and another boy trying to pull her out.

Margaret Mahill rushed into the water and got the boys out who were almost drowned. She saw noone try to do Annie any injury. Annie was 17 years old. She had gone in swimming and had got into deep water. Albert Mahill said she was splashing water on us when we swam off into

deep water. She followed us and got over her head and sunk. Struggling to get out. I caught hold other hair and she dragged me under. I had to let her go when Margaret Mahill pulled me out. John Lewis testified that two boys were yelling and hollering down at the river and came running

to where I was at work and said Annie Sutterfield was drowning. It was nearly a mile from the place and I run there and found that the girl was in all probability dead as she had been under the water for half hour or more. Finally found her body in the river and she was dead.

Verdict of the jury on case of Annie Sutterfield deceased, held at Beech Bluff July 15th, 1888. We the jury find that the deceased Annie Sutterfield came to her death by accidental drowning while in bathing. Signed by: R. P. Hardy, John Shirley, Polk Green, John W. Lewis, Bishop Lucas and William Locke.

BOX 7 West wall in Circuit Clerks office, Wayne Co., IL.

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