Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-06-12
NET SUDDEN DEATH.
J. F. sterrett Fatally Injured by
jumping From Street Gar.
FRACTURED THF BACK OF. THE SKULL
An Old aud Respected Citizen of OF
tumwa Was Returning From
Church when the Accident
Occurred.
[From Saturdays Daily.l

from Saturdays Daily.1
Joseph F. Sterrett, one of the Oldest
and most highly respected citizens of
Ottumwa was almost instantly killed
last evening while alighting from an
east bound street car, on West Sec
ond street. The accident occurred
about nine o'clock directly in front of
Z Peck's livery and feed stable. When
Mr.. Sterrett, fell the back of his head
struck the pavement, fracturing the
skull from point near the top of the
head to the base OF the skull. He was
conveyed to the Office of the livery
stable and later taken to the home of
his son-in-law, G. q. Mcdaniel, 427 West
Fifth street, where he died at 1890.
-Four physicians We're summoned and
every thing known to human skill
was done to save him, but his injuries
were fatal. The brain tissue was torn
and hemorrhage resulted. An opera
stion removed the blood pressure and
prolonged life, but for a short time
only.
Mr.. Sterrett, who resided at 314
North Marion street, had gone to the
West End Presbyterian church to full
fill previous engagement there, and
was on, his return home. He failed to
signal the conductor to stop at Mar
ion street until the car had crossed the
objective point. The signal was trans
mitted to the motorman and the car
was being slowed down for the pur-
pose Of stopping at the next crossing,
Washing ton street, to let Mr.. Sterrett
off. He was riding with his back to-
d wards the front end Of the car and
when about the center of the block
between Marion and Washington
streets stepped to the foot board of
the left side of the car and jumped,
\ facing the rear of the car. He was
thrown violently to the pavement, his
head receiving the brunt Of the blow.
He never regained consciousness and
expired about the time above stated.
The, above. facts were related to a
Courier reporter this morning by Mar
tin Hardsocg who was on the car with
Mr.. Sterrett and warned him not to
1 Jump. Mr.. Hardsocg had also been at
sending church in the west end, and
like Mr.. Sterrett was returning home.
He had been talking to him, and when
Nthe latter began to make preparations
ITO alight before the Car had stopped,
Mr.. Hardsocg advised him to wait.
The car was what is known as a
,asummer car. 1t was No. IA, and was
Nh charge of Conductor G. w. Smith
\ Ind H. y. Park, motorlnan
Alexander Westbrook, who is employ
ed at Peci's barn, and Clyde Morrow
and John Upham were sitting out in
frontso the barn and saw Mr.. Sterrett
fall. They assisted in carrying him
into the office, but aside from the mere
I fact that they saw him fall they know
nothing more concerning the details OF
the accident.
Joseph F. Sterrett was born near
Xenia, Ohio, July 16, 1927. He was
united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth
Jones near Wilmington, Clinton coun-
ty, Ohio, March 1S, 1852. Two years
later they to Illinois, locating at Mon
mouth. They afterwards resided a
short time at Bonneville, Mo-, when
they came to Ottumwa where they
have resided continuousl ever since.
OF late years the deceased has been
employed in the Office of the Ottumwa
Boiler Works, of which his son-in-l law
G. e. McDaniels, is proprietor. He was
70 years old yet very active, and be-
sides the regular duties of his daily
routine of work, found much time to
devote to church work, he having been
allife-long member of the Presbyterian
church.
Two children have preceded Mr.. Ster.
rett in death. Besides the wife two
daughters and one son are left to
I mourn their loss. The daughters are:
Mrs. G. r.. Mcdaniel, of AT West Fifth
street, and Miss Anna Sterrett who re-
sides at home. The only son is vii.
4 liam r.. residing in Kansas.
The deceased was a man honored
and respected by all who knew him, a
Conscientious Christian whose sole pur-
pose was to live an upright, godly life
endearing him to all his fellow men
with whom he came in contact. He
was a devoted husband; kind father
and most excellent neighbor and cit
izen.