Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1908-05-22
Coroner N. E. Matter, of Wheat
on, ILL.,, Anxious to Find Rel
atiyes of Frank Piper
MAY BE AN ASSUMED NAME
Man Who Dropped Dead in Illinois
Town Told Friend That His Parents
Lived Twelve Miles Distant From
Observation-Disclosures Sent to
T.-R. For Identification.

Is there any one in Marshall county
or a missing relative whom they think
might be the stranger who dropped
dead this week at Wheaton, ILL.,? If so,
If they will apply to the Times-Repup-
lican, photographs of the dead man
NAV be seen, in an effort to establish a
positive Identification.
Coroner Matter, who Is also editor
Of the Wheaton Nlinoian, is very anx-
ions to ascertain the whereabouts OIL
the strangers relatives if such a thing
is possible. Piper's body was buried IN
the potter's field Thursday, because
there was no one to claim the body.
In his paper Coroner Matter pub
fishes the following account OF Plpers
death, together with description OF
the dead man. In personal letter to
the mes-Republican Mr.. Matter also
requests that this paper lend Its IN
fluence in an effort to establish the
identity Of the stranger, and afford the
relatives an opportunity to claim the
body.
The 1llinoian of today says Of the
mans death:
TUESDAY morning an ordinary day
laborer who had been working about
Wheaton the past month at anything
he could get to do. sleeping In barns
and outbuildings, getting lunches at the
bakery and presenting the appearance
of a typical tramp, dropped dead on
the sidewalk near the Pittsford dry
goods store.
"There was nothing on his person to
show who he was or where he was
from, but from fellow laborer who
had met him several times during the
past two years, said he was known
among the tourist fraternity as Iowa
He told one of his pals, during a con-
f1dential streak. that his parents were
well-to-do and lived within twelve
miles of MarshalNown, Iowa.
.He had been working for Raymond
Wheaton the past week and signed the
name Of Frank Piper on receipt for
wages, Coroner Matter took the chance
of locating his relatives by telegraphing
the chief Of police at Marshalltown, to
locate friends, but the name may be
an assumed one.
while digging in the Salisbury cell
lar, next to DR.. J. M. Maury's, he was
noticed by the doctor as having the
appearance and action Of a typical
tramp. BIT becoming acquainted with
him, Piper accepted no favors but what
he was willing to pay for, presenting an
honorable and upright disposition.
"Mrs. Maury called to him during
rainy cold day to come and get cup
Of hot coffee. He soon appeared with
a tourists cut glassware receptacle, a
tomato can. When told to take the cup
he refused, saying the can made a good
coffee cup.
"a person never knows what history
is carried around under the hat of a
tourist. He is some ones boy; may
have good parentage and come from a
good home.
"The coroner in his twelve years
service has never allowed an opportun-
ity to pass in locating relatives or
friends Of any unfortunate coming UNI
der his jurisdiction.
"The man was about so years Of age;
5 feet II inches high; weight ITO
pounds; light brown hair-partly bald;
sandy mustache; brown eyes.
''The jury found the cause of death
as cardiac apoplexy. The remains were
inferred at the county farm yester-
day."