The Paducah sun., 1905-01-07
John Wright Found on River
Bank Unconscious.
Had Escaped Friends and Wandered
. Away While DeIirious From Ill
ness and Drink.
FORMERLY OF MT. VERNON, IND.

originally from Mount vernon, IND,
but who had been running in and
out of Paducah on tow boats for the
past three years, was found this
morning about S:40 O'Clock by resi-
dents OF "Dumptown," at the foot of
Clay street, lying face downward In
pile of rusty wire with his feet in
The river, slowly freezing to death.
Although he was alive when found.
and all possible haste was made in
getting him to the city hall where
medical aid could be secured, he
dled FIVE minutes after being taken
there. before a physician could be Sc
cured to attend him.
As near as can be gotten at the
facts of the case. Wright had been
Ia his room FOR several days up until
yesterday when he left and went to
several places with friends. He had
been on the John S. Summers, but
the last trip made recently was on
the Penguin about two weeks ago.
Since that time he had been idle, and
last week became i'll from fever. His
friends visited him in his room over
the Robertson ice Office on Broad
way and Maiden alley. and compell-
ed him to remain in bed until his
fever left him. Yesterday he left
his room about O'Clock in the morn
ing. but last night at 1880 went to his
room again, but left shortly after and
lad not been heard from until this
morning when found slowly freezing
10 death on the river bank.
His friends say he was crazy. Yes
terday when Capt. Dan Finney paid
him for a days work, he acted very
strangely, and offered Capt. Finney
his change" before he had been
paid. lie then went through the mo-
lions of tying up something. and
breaking the thread with his teeth,
although he had nothing in his
hands.
Al his actions indicated that his
mind was gone, hut probably only
temporarily from drink and his M
ness.
lie escaped 'asi ogh, from friends
when he disappeared. and it is sup
posed wandered away and was over
come by cold about the time he
reached The river bank
This morning about $3.50 o'clock
residents of "Dumptown," were
working along the bank picking up
stun from the garbage dump. when
they discovered Wright lying in a
pile of rusty. tangled wire where he
had evidently stumbled and fallen,
being unable TO extricate himself be-
cause of his weakness from cold
His feet were lying in water nearly
up to the knees. and as soon as
telephone could be reached. the au-
thorities were notified. Patrol Driv-
ar John Austin, City Jailer Tom Ev-
tits and three negro "trusties" went
after Wright and brought him 10 the
hall, Physicians were phoned for,
but five inmates after he was taken
into the hall. he breathed his last.
His shoes had to be,cut on. as they
had frozen to his feet, and when un-
dressed at Pool & Nance's undertak-
ing shops, where he was later taken
by Coroner James Crow, who was
present when he died. his legs were
blue from his feet to his hips, and
his face was muddy where he had
probably fallen into the muddy water
and crawled out.
DR.. d. r. Stuart was secured by
friends after the body was removed
10 the undertakers and an examina-
tlon made.
Wright was A years old. and well
known here by the river men and
Odd Fellows. lie came from Mt
Vernon about three years ago, ran
on the Summers last season, but dur
ing the past hye months he had
been back to Paducah, after a visit
home, had not done much. He has
divorced wife living in Mt. Vernon,
and the only relatives living besides
her is a cousin, Mrs. II. Y, Hickman,
of Mt. Vernon. Wright was a quiet
man and had many friends. He took
drink when he wanted il, but sell
dom too much.