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1906 SIDDENS death in Indiana while there for work...

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1906 SIDDENS death in Indiana while there for work...

Posted: 24 Apr 2007 5:54AM GMT
Classification: Query
Surnames: Sidden, White, Duncan, Dry, Ziegler, Fife, and Gullett, Munson
Does anyone have more info on the following?

Please let me know.
Donald A. French
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C.L. Sidden Suicides

About 11:00 o’clock Monday , C. L. Sidden employed as foreman of a bridge and building gang on the Effingham District of the Illinois Central with head quarters in Mattoon, shot himself thru the temple in a room above the saloon in Riverton and died instantly.

Sidden had been employed almost entirely in Indiana during the past summer. Ed Duncan and I. G. Dry both of this city being member of his gang. He had been a frequent visitor for some months past, usually stopping at the Commercial Hotel when in town.

For several days just prior to his death he had been leading dissipated life and spent Sunday night in fitting climax to his debauch. He reported to Riverton and retired in the room above the saloon where he slept for a few hours. Together with Tom White shortly prior to his tragic death he came down stairs and ordered liquor but was refused by the bar tender who advised him to sober up and return to work. Remarking that he would do so he ascended the stairs and reclined upon a couch there for a short time and at 11a.m. shot himself thru the temple his weapon being a 38 caliber revolver. The bullet passed thru his head and death was instantaneous.

The coroner of Sullivan Co. was at once summoned as was H. W. Ziegler of this city. The inquest developed a note upon the person which clearly established the suicide theory and a verdict was rendered accordingly. Undertaker David Fife and H. M. Gullett accompanied by supervisor of bridges and buildings, S. P Munson of Mattoon , Sidden’s immediate officer, went to Riverton and brought the remains to this city where they were prepared for burial .
A grown son also arrived Monday night and he together with the body departed Tuesday morning for Mason, IL. the home of the deceased’s mother where the funeral was conducted yesterday.

Mr Sidden is survived by his wife and the son mentioned both of whom reside in Mattoon. His age was 56 years, 5 months, and 6 days, and he had been in the employee of the Illinois Central for several years.

Dec. 13 1906
Palestine (IL.) Reporter

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