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Submitted: 1/26/09 • Approved: 1/26/09 • Last Updated: 9/11/12 • R143079-G0-S3
Plot: Addition: Rugel #4; Section: 1; Plot
Birth: 1869
Death:25 Aug 1907
The Springdale News
Springdale, AR
August 30, 1907
AXTELL, E.G. – E.G. Axtell of La Harpe, Kansas was found dead Sunday morning in his spring wagon in the park east of the Auditorium where he was camped.
He had been here since Wednesday, having been attracted here by the reunion. The discovery of the body was through Fred Haxton, son of S.N. Haxton who lives near, and who went over to see about one of the horses which had broken loose from his hitching place. When near the hack Fred was greeted with an offensive odor which told him something was wrong and returning notified his father who went out and made an examination, finding the dead body of Mr. Axtell who appeared as if he had disrobed for retiring.
No one knew the name of the deceased and in the absence of any testimony bearing on the death a jury was summoned to make an inquiry, with Justice of Peace Millard Berry acting as coroner. The jury consisted of J.J. Long, foreman, J.R. Rose, clerk, R.L. Atwood, Bob Beasley, F.M. Plummer, Wylie Jones, J.W. Phillips, E.L. Fink, T.R. Lane, Chas. Henson, Lafe Chaudoin and T.J. Harrison. An examination of the personal effects of the deceased disclosed his identity and his place of residence and also that his wife resided at La Harpe. It was also brought out that the last seen of Mr. Axtell was between 12 and 1 o'clock Saturday morning when he approached night policeman Frank Koering on the ground in search of a drink of water. Mr. Koering assisted him in locating the spring and it was supposed that soon thereafter he returned to his hack and drawing the curtains, retired, dying soon thereafter. He complained to Mr. Koering of feeling ill and Mr. Koering testified that he was apparently quite nervous.
The sum of $10.30 was found in his effects. The verdict of the coroner's jury was that deceased came to his death from some unknown cause. Telegrams were forwarded to Kansas notifying the family of the deceased of his death and asking for information as to what disposition should be made of the remains. Not receiving any reply, and it being impossible to hold the body longer, the remains were interred in Bluff Cemetery Sunday night.
A telegram was received Monday morning, having been delayed as a result of the telegrapher's strike, requesting that the body be embalmed and shipped to La Harpe, Kansas. This, of course, was impossible and the family of the deceased were so notified.
Wednesday morning. W.C. Wallis, a brother-in-law of the deceased, C.H.H. Bowilby, another brother-in-law, Jack Bevers, son-in-law, and Jas. Milner, an undertaker, all of La Harpe, Kansas, arrived and had the remains taken up and shipped to Kansas to be buried in the Cemetery at Colony.
From these gentlemen it was learned that Mr. Axtell had been in ill health for sometime, being traveling around over the country for some time with a phonograph and moving picture show in the hope of regaining his health.
Two weeks ago he was at the reunion at Sulphur Springs, coming from there here. A few weeks ago he gave an entertainment in the opera house in Springdale, his advertising carrying the name of "Enterprise Amusement Co."
Deceased formerly resided at Colony, Kansas where he disposed of a lucrative hardware and furniture business in order to go on the road for his health. He was also at one time a resident of Iola, Kansas and for five years served on the police force of that city. He was a member of the A.O.U.W., The Macabees and the Triple Tie fraternities and carried insurance in these organization to the amount of $5000.
Mr. Axtell's wife and daughter, Mrs. Beyers, reside at La Harpe. In conversation with The News Mr. Wallis stated that Mrs. Axtell received a letter from her husband Sunday about the same time the telegram reached them notifying them of his death. The letter was written in Springdale Friday afternoon by Mr. Axtell and in this he companied of being ill. Mrs. Axtell was making arrangements to join him soon in his travels.
Mr. Wallis also requests The News to express to the people of Springdale the thanks of the family for their kindness and their assistance.
The Springdale News
Springdale, AR
September 6, 1907
The body of E.G. Axtell, an account of whose sudden death was printed in The News last week, was taken from the grave Wednesday afternoon of last week for removal to La Harpe, Kansas, the home of the deceased. On account of the decomposition that had set in it was impossible for the embalmer to do anything so it was decided to construct a box, making it air tight and ship the remains that way.
Thursday afternoon when the party started to load the box to take it to the train it was found that the acid had eaten through the tin. So it was decided best to rebury the remains in Bluff Cemetery, which was done. The relatives who came down after the body left for home on the afternoon train, having sold Mr. Axtell's team and wagon to the Stone Livery Barn. We understand another effort will be made this fall to remove the body.
Contributed on 1/26/09 by flwillingham
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Record #: 143079