Times-promoter., 1909-09-16
W. ". Finn DIES BY ROADSIDE
Heart Failure the Cause. Body Discover.
ed by Negro in Dim Morning Light.

ed by Negro in Dim Morning Light.
| Anxiously awaited by his wife, who
little dreamed that the sad news oi
her husbands sudden death was to be
the climax of an entire nights lonely
vigil, Wright w. Finn ,Scontractor, sc
years old, zoos Courtland street, was
found dead by the roadside on Rem
bert street just south Of Cowden ave-
nue. shortly before daybreak yester-
day morning.
Mr.. Finn had always been appre-
hensive OF meeting death by violent
means, and it was his habit to carry
heavy cane at all times as weapon
to be used in case of sudden attack.
Last night, however, he was without
the cane, and stone wrapped in a
handkerchief, which was found nearby
when the body was discovered, at
first created the belief that foul play
might have been done, especially
when Mrs. Finn made the statement
to R. B. Holiday, 2195 Gaylord ave.
nue., that she did not remember of
her husband ever having such hand
kerchief. It was plain white one,
however, and could have easily been
possessed by the dead man without
his wife's knowledge.
Aside from some spots on the face
which often come to victims of heart
failure, there We're no signs whatever
on the body to indicate that murder
had been done. The lower jaw was
slightly ontof place, but this was due,
doubtless, to the fact that the body
had probably lain for hours before it
was found. IA careful and minute ex-
animation of the body was made at
the undertakers.
The most plausible theory as to
how Finn met his death. Is that he
was overtaken by heart failure and
died quietly, without making an out
cry. His hands had clutched several.
tufts of grass, evidently while in the
throes Of death, which had no doubt
come quickly, as there were no other.
signs of a struggle. He had been told
by physicians that he might meet
death from heart failure.
- Z : (. n
Investigation by Sergt. Brett dis
credited the murder theory. A small
amount of change was found on his
person, and he also had his watch
and Q large signet ring on his left hand.
Residents of the neighborhood who
had been awake until far into the
night state that there was never as
much as an outcry, which would have
been heard if holdup or murder had
taken place.
Discovery of the body was made by
a nero boy who,, wild with fright,
notified Ed G. Lawrence, who resides
just across the street. Police head
quarters was notified and Patrolman
who lives in the neighbor-
hood, first viewed the body. Sergeant
Brett arrived later and sent the body
to Mcdowell & Monteverde, who pre-
pared it for bursal.
Mrs. Finn was prpstrated with grief
when notified Of her husbands un-
timely end. She had awaited him
with patience not unmixed with anx-
lety all through the night and when
the time of his wonted arrival had
Iong passed was almost frantic with
apprehension and was in the act OF
sending in an alarm to police head
quarters when the news was broken
TO her by neighbors.
w. w. Finn had been resident of
Memphis for many years, coming
lere from Olive Branch. Miss, to en-
rage in the furniture business. He
.etired from the mercantile business
several years ago and had since en-
ragged as contractor, lately operat-
ng q gravel pit. He was well known
n political circles.
The body will be taken to Olive
3ranch, Miss, this morning by Me-
0owell s. Monteverde, whore the
uneral will be held this afternoon.
nterment will be in the family ceiness
cry.
Mrs. Finn Is. the only survivor of
he dead mans immediate family.
commercial Appeal, Sept. Is.
Funny. Isn't Il.
stDn +...,..,r. i ,,~y> 4 !: IS