Ambler Gazette, January 10, 1895

Violent Deaths in '94

Eight suicides are recorded among the violent deaths for the year 1894 in this county. The entire number of violent and sudden deaths for the year is eighty-seven. Of this number Coroner Kurtz investigated sixty-three, John H. Williams, 8; J.P. Iredell, Moreland, 2; J.M. Neiman, Pottstown, 1; J.W. Reeder, Jenkintown, 4; Joshua Beyers, Pottstown, 2; George Hand, Hatboro, 1; Thomas Nicholson, Ashbourne 1; G.W.H. Smith, Springfield, 2; H.B. Clay, Pottstown, 1; W.S. Slotterer, Salford, 1; P.H. Renninger, New Hanover, 1.

The suicides were as follows: Benjamin H. Rubey, Ashbourne, shot himself with a gun; William Scott, Ardmore, took poison; L.M. Giretti lay down on the railroad tracks in Plymouth; David Swager, Collegeville, hung himself; Jacob S. Kline, Tylersport, hung himself; Sarah C. Shantz, Hatfield, cut her throat with a razor; John C. Godshall, Lansdale, hung himself; Henry Schueck, New Hanover, hung himself.

There were forty accidental deaths, two by drowning, seventeen being railroad casualties and six occurred by falls. Heart trouble claimed nineteen victims while seven died from apoplexy. Other sudden deaths were:

Brain congestion, 1; hemorrhage, 1; jaundice, 1; marasmus, 1; natural causes, 2, and exhaustion, 1.

Violent deaths of a peculiar nature occurred as follows:

Amos Ewing, of Norristown, was killed by station agent E.A. Kunkel, at Valley Forge, while in the act of committing highway robbery.

Francis L. Morgan was killed by being struck by lightning.

Peter Doyle, of Jenkintown, took poison for Jamaica Ginger.

Unknown man died from natural causes, neglect and exposure. He was found in a barn near Norristown.

William Langon was drowned at Flat Rock dam while escaping an officer.

Mary Grant, of Haverford, was struck by a horse.

LeRoy J.S. Smith, of Springfield township, was shot by a pistol while playing with it.

One-year-old W. Charles Baker, of Springfield township, was killed by a folding bed.

John Kingkiner, Sr., of Norristown, died from injuries by being knocked down by a hose cart.

Unknown male child, found in a field near Edge Hill, dead before born.

Henry C. Kulp, of Salfordville, was burned to death.

Uriah Snyder, Jr., of Ardmore, was killed by an explosion.

The same number of suicides occurred this year as in 1893, but the number of inquests last year was 93, while only 87 were held in 1894.

Submitted by Nancy.