The Paducah evening sun., 1910-02-10
Howard Bourland Found Dead
on Shantyboat Early This
Morning.
Said He Was Feeling Bad
Yesterday.
HE WAS A NATIVE OF BENTON.

Huddled against the door on the
floor OF his shantyboat, Howard Bour-
land. 25 years old. was found dead at
O'Clock this morning by Capt. Il.
Await, his employer The boat was
tied to chains at the south stage OF
the wharfboat. Coroner Franz Ea6-r
was Ootified and took charge os the
body
When Captain Await went to the
river this morning to begin his days
work he knocked at Bourland's door.
Receiving no answer he tried TO push
the door open. but found something
heavy against II ON the inside. Cap
tain Await ran 10 the wharfboat Office
and told John Street and VIE Gea-
gan, who are in change OF the wharf
at night. Both Street and Geasan
followed Captain Await back TO the
houseboat and they forced the door
open by throwing their combined
weight against 1t.
Lying on the floor was Bertrand.
His body was cold and he had been
dead several hours. They notified the
coroner
Bourland's death Is thought 10 be
the result Of exposure and use Of
cocaine He had been feeling badly
yesterday, according TO Captain Await,
and had been lying around his boat
most OF the day. Last night Captain
Await went TO see him and Bourland
told his employer that he was feeling
better and would be all right tomor-
row.
''Now II you s-e really sick will
oaH a doctor" said Captain Await.
"No. am all right" responded
Bourland. Captain Await told him
goodnight and left the boat at 8
oclocla. That was the last eeen Of
Bourand. He was in bed and fully
dressed. Caotain Await says he had
probably arisen and staggered to the
door when he dropped dead to the
floor.
Ever since last September Bour-
land had been working for Captain
Await. He was employed directly
after George Cashon. Captain Awaits
assistant. was drowned near the south
end of the wharfboat. not far from
the spot where Bourland died.
Bourland began his river career
about five wears ago with Captain
Await. and. had been working of and
on around the river since. He for
merly worked for the lack Singletree
company and the West Kentucky
Coal company, but since last Septem-
Der had been working regularly for
Captain Await. Those who knew him
said he was addicted TO the cocaine
habit and Il is thought this was
directly the cause Of his death. He
was said to have been negligent about
his health and exposed himself to the
cold considerably this winter.
He lived on the houseboat that was
fitted out with a bed and other fur
lnishings The boat WAS warm. Bour-
land came here from Benton. where
he Is said to have a brother. Levy
Bourland. He leaves another brother,
Jim Bourland. living in Paducah
The body was removed to the un-
ldertaking establishment of Mattil
lEfnger & Roth. where Coroner Frank
Eaker held an inquest at 10 o'clock.
The verdict was that Bourland came
to his death by exposure.
The remains will be held there to-
day until arrangements are made 20
take them TO Benton for burial.
Bourland carried an Insurance policy
that is in the hands of his brother,
Jim Bourland. In additioa to two
brothers Bourland leaves three sisters
, living near Benton They are Mes
DANES Sallie Gray, Lula jackson and
Clara Heitt.