THOMAS HEALEY died very suddenly Thursday [10/16/1902] night in the shanty on Big Island, where he and Irwin Johnson were camping. His death is supposed to have been due to heart failure. Healey went up to visit Johnson’s camp yesterday. That evening he visited the camp of C. G. Davis, farther up the river. Mr. Davis states that he seemed to be in the best of health, and gave no indication of having been drinking. He returned to the camp on the island after a short visit with Davis, and he and Johnson both went to bed in the shanty. This morning when Johnson awoke he endeavored to wake Healey, but could not do so. He immediately rowed to Davis camp and brought him back to camp with him. The men quickly learned that Healey was dead, and Davis then came to Sterling and notified Mayor Lawrie, who in turn notified Coroner Conger. The coroner arrived in Sterling at 3:29 this afternoon and took a jury to the camp on Big Island, where the inquest is now being held. The deceased was about forty-five years of age. He has resided in Rock Falls for many years, and was a tinner by trade, having been an employee of the tinning department of Janssen’s hardware store for a number of years. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Healey, reside in Chicago. He also leaves the following brothers and sisters: Mrs. Ella Mangan of this city, Mrs. Maggie LeFever, Mrs. Kate Knee and Mrs. Mary Mericks of Rock Falls; Mrs. Rose of Chicago, and one brother, James Healey of Chicago. Although given to strong drink, he had numerous friends. He was an expert tinner, and was well liked by all who knew him. His sudden death has caused a great shock to his relatives, who have the sincere sympathy of the community. The remains will be taken to the home of his sister, Mrs. Merrick’s, in Rock Falls, after the inquest. Funeral arrangements have not yet been made. (The Sterling Evening Gazette, October 17, 1902, page 4, column 2)

INQUEST: Did Thomas Healey die from the indirect results of a blow, or was his death due to natural causes? That was the question the coroner’s jury facted at the inquest held over the body Friday [10/17/1902] evening. His death was first supposed to have been due to heart disease, but Coroner Conger was not fully satisfied, having learned of a fight Saturday night, in which Healey was worsted, and at the inquest Dr. Anthony examined the body before the injury. A contusion was found on the right temple and the top of the head scratched. The doctor thought it probable that death was the indirect result of the blow on the temple, and that a blood clot might have formed on the brain, but could not tell positively without a post mortem examination, which he made at the direction of the coroner. The post mortem showed the left side of the brain badly inflamed, and in his testimony before the jury the doctor gave as his opinion Healey’s death was due to inflammation of the brain. He stated the inflammation might possibly have been caused by the blow on the temple, but that in his opinion it was not and that death was due to inflammation of the brain produced by natural causes. The jury rendered a verdict to that effect. J. F. Healey, senior member of the shoe firm of Healey & Drew of Dixon, and a brother of the deceased, was present at the inquest and is still of the opinion that his brother’s death was the result of the blow on the head. The inquest attracted quite a crowd, and several were inclined toward Mr. Healey’s opinion. The jury was composed of S. D. Gossert, foreman; R. C. Hill, John G. Koberstine, J. W. McDonald, W. F. Lawrie and J. H. Williams. The coroner arrived on the 3:30 train from Morrison, and he and the jury left at once for the shanty on Long island where Healey died, the trip up the river being made in the Simplex. The jury viewed the remains and was sworn in its presence. The body was then placed in a trailer and taken to Johnson & O’Malley’s undertaking rooms, where the inquest was held at 7:30 o’clock. Only three witnesses were examined, the first one being Charles Davis, whose story was practically the same as appeared in Friday’s Gazette. Charles Johnson, who was asleep with Healey when he died, was then called. He stated that Healey complained a number of times of a pain in his side in the region of his heart, and that toward evening he seemed to grow worse. Healey rowed over to Davis’ camp in the evening and returned in a short time, greatly exhausted by the row. The two men sat on the edge of the bed and talked for some time, when Healey said his side hurt him so badly he thought he had better go to sleep. The men then retired, and Healey entered the sleep from which he never awoke. Johnson stated that he heard nothing of an unusual nature from Healey during the night. He arose about daylight and thought Healey was still sleeping. When it became light he looked at him, and noticed from his appearance that some thing was wrong. A quick examination convinced him that Healey was dead, and he went immediately to Davis’ camp for assistance, as was told in Friday’s paper. Healey had told him Saturday night that he had been beaten in a fight in Rock Falls a short time before, but refused to divulge the name of the man who had worsted him. As near as can be learned the man was a farmer. Dr. Anthony was then called and testified as has been said. He stated also that the pain Healey felt in his side was caused by the inflammation of the brain and the consequent stagnation of the blood. The funeral services were held at 2:30 o’clock this afternoon at the home of Mrs. Mary Merricks, a sister of the deceased, Rev. J. J. Bennett officiating. A large number of friends of the deceased and the family gathered at the funeral. The interment was in Calvary cemetery in this city.
Contributed by Larry Reynolds - The Sterling Evening Gazette, October 18, 1902, page 1, column 2