NORTON, John - d. April 1911

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Howard Courant
April 6, 1911

Found Dead

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(From the Citizen).

John Norton who has lived for many years on his farm about eight miles southeast of Moline, was found dead in his house about four o'clock, Monday afternoon.

Dr. Costello, coroner, and J. A. McHenry, county attorney went down Monday and investigated the case and it was their opinion that he died a natural death.

When found he was lying on a bunk with a cover pulled over him and there were no marks of violence about the body.   He was last seen by neighbors Saturday.

John Norton was a man probably more than 80 years of age and for the past 25 years had lived alone.  He had been married and his wife and children were compelled to leave him, on account that he would not provide for them.  A number of years ago his house burned down and his habitation since was without doubt the most miserable residence of any human in the county.  It was simply a dug-out covered with manure and without a window.  His place of abode was a mess of filth and his body was covered with rags, the doctor said that he had five or six old blouses on him when he died.  He owned a very good farm and had more than $200 in the bank besides some stock on the farm.  About $12 was found in the house.

Some of his children lived in Kansas City, and they were notified and came to Moline Tuesday.