Description
“Died in a Cornfield” An old colored man named Alfred Swope was found dead in a cornfield near Easton Tuesday afternoon. It was at first thought that he had been murdered and Coroner Quinn was notified. The coroner and Constable Graham went on and upon investigation learned that Swope had been of unsound mind and in poor health. He had wandered away from his cabin and died in the field where he was found. Swope had lived in Easton township for 17 years and was a peculiar character. He lived in a little hut on the bank of the creek and subsisted entirely on game. It is said that he never earned any money and never had use for any. He was about 60 years old. (Researcher's note: Alfred may be the son of Lewis Swope. On August 10, 1860, in Platte County, Missouri, Lewis Swope emancipated his wife Manerva (Minerva), 16 year old son Alfred and 14 year old son Martin Van Buren.)Date(s) of Creation
12/17/1891
