Francis Marion Owens, an octogenarian pioneer of Pottawattamie County, and Samantha Owens were both found dead of accidental asphyxiation from gas from a hard coal burner in their home at 107 Nicholas early Saturday morning by neighbors who broke into the house after trying to rouse the old people over the telephone.

Mr. Owens, was 80 years of age and his wife aged 75 years. J.L. Smith made the first investigation and notified the police and also Frank Owens, a son who lives on the Owens farm near Weston. He had been in the habit of buying milk of the Owens family and in making his trip to the house shortly after 8 o'clock, he found the cows still in the barn unfed. He returned to his home and called the son over the telephone asking if the old folks had left the house last night. Frank Owens told Smith to force the doors and he did so with the assistance of G.R. Taylor and M. Stern.

On entering the house they found it full of gas and were hardly able to remain long enough to open the windows and doors. Mr. Owens' body was found lying face down near the stove from which gas was escaping, every damper being shut tight. Mrs. Owens' body was found in the bedroom lying on the bed. She is thought to have tried to get out of bed as had Mr. Owens. Her head was towards the foot of the bed and she had wrapped a coat about her body.

Dr. A.P. Hanchett was called by neighbors and an investigation showed that the old people had been dead for some time. The bodies were still warm and it was judged that death had come about three hours before they were discovered. A small house dog, which was found lying near Mr. Owens' head was still alive although too much affected by the gas to move.

Mr. and Mrs. Owens are survived by two sons, Frank M., who resides near Weston, and L.D. who lives in San Francisco. The son who resides at Weston arrived at the scene by automobile about an hour after the discovery and took charge of the bodies, sending them to Woodring's Undertaking establishment.