Way back in 1994, I contacted Highland Park Cemetery in Kirksville, Missouri, to get more information on ancestors that were buried there.  After some correspondence, the proprietor sent me a picture of a tombstone.   It was rather unsettling.

My mother, sister and I visited the cemetery in October, 1996.  Here's a picture of them with the stone. ( My sister was uncomfortable in this picture.  She was just getting used to being in cemeteries with  her crazy genealogist sister.  Little did she know that she had several days ahead of her spending time in cemeteries!)

Here's a detail of what was on the stone:

It looked like Milton Elmer died on his 27th Birthday!

I went to my local library and ordered the microfilm of the newspaper that I thought would carry the obituary.  I found three separate pieces on his death:

Kirksville Journal, November 26, 1903:

FORMER KIRKSVILLE MAN KILLED

Mrs. Tony Boone, the ex-retoucher at Moore's gallery received a telegram from Kansas City yesterday, stating that her brother Elmer, who was on his way here from Salina, Cal. had been killed by a St. Joseph & Grand Island train near Kansas City.  Mr. Boone was on his way here to visit relatives after an absence of six years.  Particulars of the accident cannot be learned, but it appears there is some mystery surrounding the case.  the remains will probably be brought here for burial.

Separate entry:

The funeral of Elmer Boone, who was killed in Kansas City last Wednesday, occurred Monday afternoon from the home of mother near Bullion.   Burial in Highland Park Cemetery.

West Salt River Section:

Elmer Boone, who formerly lived near Bullion, was accidentally killed by a train in Kansas City Tuesday evening of last week.  His body was sent home and arrived Sunday morning.  Funeral at the home on Monday and burial at Kirksville.  Mr. Boone had been in California for two years and was on his way home to visit his mother who is very sick.  His nephew. Mr. Todd, from California came with him.

I didn't feel satisfied with these articles.  I needed to know MORE.    Since Milton Elmer was killed in Kansas City, Missouri, I ordered the Microfilm of a newspaper in that city for that time frame.  This is what I found in that newspaper during Nov. 19-21, 1903:

November 19, 1903: 

Train Killed Elmer Boone

Body of Salina, Cal., Man Found Beside Grand Island Tracks.

The body of a man, identified by letters found on his person as being that of Elmer Boone, of Salina, Cal., was found beside the Grand Island tracks in Elmdale yesterday evening.  His letters and a railroad ticket showed that he was on his way to visit his brother, T.L. Boone, of Kirksville, MO.  Deputy Coroner Boarman examined the body and had it removed to Wagner's undertaking establishment, but was able to determine little in regard to the nature of the accident which caused death.

    The Body will be held until the return through Kansas City of the crew which is supposed to have been on the train which killed Boone.  the body was terribly mangled.  both legs were severed and the head and body cut and bruised.  It is not likely that Boone fell from the train, as his body was found beside the Grand Island tracks, while his ticket was over the Chicago & Alton.

November 20, 1903:

ELMER BOONE INQUEST TODAY

Crew of the Train That Killed Him is to Testify

    An inquest will be held over the body of Elmer Boone, killed by a Grand Island train in Elemwood Wednesday evening, at the Wagner undertaking establishment this morning at 11:30 o'clock.  The crew in charge of the train which ran over Boone will be through Kansas City this morning and will be called in to attend the inquest.  T.B. Miller, of 412 Laurel Avenue, was a cousin of Boone and is caring for the body.  Albert Todd, and uncle, and Carrie L. Boone, a cousin, live at Kirksville.  Boone was returning from a trip to California to live with them.  The relatives entirely discredit the idea of possible suicide as they say he was in good health and that he was anxious to return home.  A telegram was received here yesterday requesting that the body be forwarded to Kirksville for burial.

November 21, 1903:

JURY DID NOT FIX BLAME.

Can't Locate Responsibility for Death of Elmer Boone

    The coroner's jury was unable to fix the blame for the death of Elmer Boone, whose body was found beside the Grand Island tracks in Elmdale Wednesday.  Members of the train crew stated at the inquest that they believed Boone threw himself in front of the train, but other circumstances seemed to discredit the suicide theory.  Boone was returning from a trip to California to the home of his mother at Kirksville, MO.

My brother thinks Milton Elmer was robbed on the train and his body was dumped overboard.  Someone else I won't mention thinks Milton Elmer was partying too much on his birthday and fell in front of the train while it was stopped in Kansas City.  What do you think?

Genealogists:  Do you have any suggestions on the next level of research?

E mail me at:  LRieger@worldnet.att.net

11/11/2002