The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1902-03-29
BODY WILL
BE HELD
Until Relatives of Henry Wes-
terhOuse are Heard From.
DEATH WAS ACCIDENTAL
Such Was the Verdict of the
COroner's Jury.
DEATH WAS ACCIDENTAL

Coroner 2fcCcliister received telegram
last night from James DoviH at Dakota,
Mimi. saying that Henry Westenhouse' 5
brother. living in New Amsterdam. Wis.
and that he would have TO be notified
before the authorities could learn what 70
90 with the remains.
The coroner teIegraphed to the brother
last night. but up 10 a late hour had
heard nothing from him in regard u the
disposition OF the remains. The body viii
be held here until the relatives in the
north are heard from. and their wishes
VIII be respected in regard 10 the disposal
u the body.
Coroner McColiister held an inquest yes
crday to inquire into the cause OF the
lcath OF Henry Westerhouse. The jury
composed of NJ Y. Cave, D. Y. Donnelly.
II. II. Carr, J. F. IAttell. G.. wilkins and
=. ". Barnaby returned a verdict that
Henry Westerhouse came to his death by
an accident. being run over by a wagon
belonging 10 the Wells. Fargo express
company while trying to stop horse at
his own risk.
The jury was called together at 9
clock and taken TO the undertaking
rooms where they took their oaths over
the body of Henry Westernhouse and the
physicians explained how the man met
his death. They then adjourned to the
court house where the testimony was
taken. Henry Huffman began the taking
OF the evidence. DR.. Jordan was the first
witness called. He stated that the man s
chest was crushed in and that the press
ing down Of the bones stopped the breath
ing. causing almost instant death
Geo. Cloud was~next called. His home
is in Emporia and ne was the fireman on
he in hot 70 mi n ha
horse when SIr. Westerhouse started 70
take It out OF the way. He said the old
man walked UP TO the horse and took
hold OF the bride and turned tho horse
away and the engine hid the horse and
wagon from him so he did not see the
accident at all.
w. S. Dicks, the engineer. was next call
ed. He stated that he saw the horse on
the track and as he was running very
slow stopped the engine in front Of the
passenger depot. He blew the whistle
three or four time 70 warn the express
men to take the horse away and then he
saw the man come out and take hold Of
the bride and start 20 lead the animal off
the track. The horse began to rear and
plunge and after almost completing two
perfect circles the old gentleman was
thrown down and the wheels OF the wagon
passed over him. When the man was
picked up he was alive but unconscious.
A W. Kerns was the next witness call
ed. He had known Mr.. Westerhouse for
about two months. He had taught him
the silver plating business in Cofey willie
and then had gone 20 Cherryvale and
from that town to this city. He and the
dead man went to the depot 70 look
around and Mr.. WesteThouse saw the
horse on the track and started 10 take
him away when the horse began plunging
and described one circle about 30 feet in
diameter and then started on another Of
larger diameter When about half way
around this circle the old man was thrown
down and the wheels of the wagon pass
cd over him. Mr.. Kerns helped to pick him
up and laid him on stretcher and Mr..
Westerhouse gave one moan and that
was the only sign that he was alive. He
died before any doctors reached him.
From aIr. Kerns it was learned that
there was q son II years Of age some place
in Minnesota and the whole aim OF Henry
Westerhouse' life was 10 educate the
boy He had sold his property in Mime
sofa and was looking for new location.
He gave Mr.. Kerns TO understand that he
had 81 Geo life insurance.
W. II. Boibert, ya-dmaster OF the Santa
Fe in this city, was on the depot platform
when the accident occurred. He noticed
the old man go out TO the horse and try
TO lead him away and the horse trying
TO run away. He said the horse descrio-
ed a circle and started on another one
when either Mr.. Westerhouse's strength
failed or he was thrown 70 the ground
and the two wheels OF the wagon passed
over him.
NJ s Rudolph, the Frisco agent, was
on the platform when the accident oc-
Cured He heard the train whistle and
turned TO see what was the matter and
noticed Mr.. Westerhouse going out 20
the horse and saw the old gentleman lead
him away and the next thing was the
horse running away with tho man hold
ing on TO the bride for dear life. When
the horse had described nearly two COM
plete circles the man was thrown down
and two wheels Of the wagon passed over
him The wagon was partly loaded and
would weigh about 100 pounds.
This was the last witness examined by
the coroner ard the jury returned the
above verdict IN a few moments.