Died on the train 1899

[ddurbin]

from THE MOLINE REVIEW   Friday, November 17, 1899

DIED

Dr. L. J. Cunkle of Madison, Kansas, was a passenger on No. 203, which left Kansas City at 9 p.m. Wednesday.  He took a sleeper, and requested the porter to awaken him at Longton, as he wished to get breakfast in Moline before taking the train for home.  At Holiday, the conductor went to his berth to collect his ticket, and found him as he then supposed, sleeping, and did not disturb him thinking he would collect the ticket later.  When the train reached Longton, the porter went to call him, as had been requested, and found him dead.  As he was found in exactly the same position as when the conductor last saw him at Holiday, it is presumed that he was dead when the conductor saw him.  The condition of the body when it reached Moline would indicate as much.  It was the opinion of W. S. Martindale, the undertaker, and Dr. Farrow, coroner, that Dr. Cunkle had been dead abut eight hours, which would strengthen the conductor's opinion.  For these reasons, and out of feeling for the relatives and friends of the deceased, Dr. Farrow thought it wholly unneccessary to hold a post-mortem unless his family should request it later.  Dr. Farrow's decision meets with the approval of every one.

Dr. Cunkle was about fifty years old.  Had lived in Madison for a number of years, and was considered a good physician, but as a man he was not without his faults.  What occassioned his death we do not presume to know.  That he dissipated to excess must be admitted by all who knew him as a half-pint flask of whickey was found by his side in the berth he occupied , perhaps one drink had been taken.  He leaves a wife and daughter in Madison, his home, and a son, Austin, who is practicing law in Arkansas.  He was supposed to be a man of some business ability and in comforable circumstances.