The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1859-07-06
Insanity and Death.

Insanity and Death.
On Saturday evening last q man was
killed on the Des Moines railroad by placing
himself in the way of the engine, about
miles out on the track. The body was picked
up and brought to the depot, and coroner's
inquest held over it. Before the proceedings
were concluded, Mr.. Evans (of the firm Of
Baldwin 4 Evans of this city, appeared and
identified the body as that Of Spencer A.
Turner, Of St. Louis. Mr.. Evans had Just
received letter from brother OF Mr.. Tur-
ner at St. Louis, stating that Spencer had
been insane for some two or three months,
and that he had managed to escape from the
house one day last week. He was traced to
the packet Quincy, but concealed himself
and could not be found. Mr.. Evans found
out that he came up here on the Quincy and
went on to Montrose, where he was seen on
Saturday morning, wandering about bare
headed. Mr.. Bowen persuaded him to come
into his hotel and get some breakfast. His
movements were singular, and oil they could
get out Of him was that he had come from
st. Louis. Mr.. Seaton and others endeav-
ored in vain to persuade him to come down
to keokuk on the cars. During the day he
was seen on the plankroad, where he travelled
without giving way to horses or wagons
In the afternoon he was seen down at the
depot, passing through a crowd Of men and
a drove of cattle without turning to the right
or left. He walked out on the rail track,
and when about eight miles out, the engineer
of the incoming train saw him and whistlei.
Turner looked up but kept straight ahead
The engineer whistled again, but Turner
paid no attention to the warning. The en-
gineer whistled down the brakes and re-
versed the engine. But the train being on
down grade, could not be stopped. Turner
was thrown off into pool of water. The
officers got to him as soon as possible, but he
breathed but few times after being taken
out of the water. They found bruise on
the forehead which was made by the engine
or cow catcher, and undoubtedly caused his
death.
Mr.. Evans took charge Of the remains and
returned them to the relatives Of the de-
ceased in st. Louis. Mr.. Turner leaves
wife and children. We became acquainted
with him several years ago. He was man
of correct habits and good business capacity.
We presume his insanity was brought on BY
disappointment in business and pecuniary
troubles.
The Great BALLROOM Voyage.
The st. Louis papers of Monday, announce
the result Of the great ballooning voyage OF
Messrs. Wise, La Mountain and eager
These gentlemen, accompanied by Mr.. Hyde
OF the Republican, assembled from Washing
ton square, st. Louis, in their air ship At
lantic, large balloon, with smaller one in
tow, on Friday morning at seven O'Clock, and
on Saturday morning at six O'Clock, after al
aerial voyage of % hours duration, the,
landed, all safe, in North Adams, Jefferso,
county, New York.
It seems that the balloon only made on
hundred miles during the first six hours. an
only two hundred in the last six hours Of he
trip. It must, therefore, have Travelled owe
one hundred miles On hour during the othe
eleven hours Of her voyage to accomplish tn
distance between Pana, Illinois, where it wa
seen at O'Clock, a. m, and Niagara FALL
: in the vicinity of which it was observed at
M, or thereabouts, the same day.
This aerial voyage Of tho Atlantic Balloo
will be the occasion, probably, Of nearly 4
much gassy graduation as was expended Q
the Atlantic cable q short time since. On
, will be followed, we fear, by similar disa,
pontment, so fur as the promise of practc,
results lie concerned.
. GREAT SALE or CArrLK.-One day TAI
week Chicago dealer bought, on the prairi