COWGILL, G. E.
Source;
Burlington, Kansas News Thursday 10 Nov 1898 p 1
GE Cowgill,
the well known painter and paper hanger and brother of HE Cowgill, met a tragic
death in north Burlington Wednesday night. He and Mrs. Cowgill were living at
the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. JJ Smith on north second street. He did
not come home at the usual time and the family supposed he was staying down in
town on account of the excitement incident to the election. That, however, was
a mistake. The next morning when Mr. Smith went to the barn to attend to the
ordinary work he was horrified to find the body of the unfortunate man lying at
the foot of the perpendicular ladder leading to the hay mow. He is reported to have gone home early and
without doubt had gone in the rear gate and started to climb into the mow for
hay and missed his footing and fallen to the floor, breaking his neck and dying
instantly. The coroner was summoned and
viewed the remains, but decided that no inquest was necessary, as the only
possible cause of death was so well known. The relatives have been notified and
the funeral will take place Saturday.
George Elisha Cowgill was born in Putnam County, Indiana in 1849 and was
therefore 49 years of age. He came to Kansas in the fall of 1870 and was
married in 1873 to Miss Mary Smith. They have two daughters, Maude, the eldest,
being the wife of CF Decker of Waverly and Miss Harriet, who is attending
school at Omaha and living with her aunt, Mrs. Stockwell. His parents live at
Baldwin City and they with the brother, HE are the only relatives. All friends
extend sympathy in this, their hour of sour trial. - kbz