Roney, Patrick 1839 - 1893

RONEY

Posted By: Allison Lawrence (email)
Date: 1/12/2021 at 08:54:58

Source: Decorah Republican August 17, 1893 P 5 C 4

Sudden Death of Pat. Roney.

Report comes in, just as we go to press, that Pat. Roney, brother of Peter Roney, of this city, died suddenly at the residence of B Severson, on the Locust road, early this morning. He was in town yesterday, apparently as well as usual. Last night he applied at Mr Severson’s lodging, and at one o’clock was sleeping soundly. When the family arose this morning, they found him dead The above facts are given by Mr. Severson’s son, who came in to notify the sheriff. Coroner Hefflin was sent for and is now out, holding an inquest. Mr Roney is one of the old, old residents of this county, and in a way was quite a character. Owing to the lateness of the hour, we are unable to give any particulars of his life.

Source: Decorah Republican August 24, 1893 P 5 C 2

--The funeral of Patrick Roney occurred last Saturday morning. He was born near Belfast, Ireland, and came to America when an infant. Up to Oct. 15th, 1855, he resided in Essex Co., N.Y., and then came to this state and county and has lived here ever since. He served in the war both in the infantry and cavalry and was a good soldier. He leaves a wife.

Transcriber's Note: The deceased was born in 1839 and buried at Phelps Cemetery.

Source: Decorah Republican August 24, 1893 P 4 C 1

IS IT MURDER?

PATRICK RONEY’S DEATH ASSUMES A GHASTLY ASPECT.

Facts show it was the Result of a Drunken Row, if not Worse.

In our issue of last week we reported the very sudden death early Thursday morning of Patrick Roney at the home of Gunder Severson, on the Locust road, about five miles north of town, under circumstances rather peculiar. At that time it was reported that he was sleeping soundly at one o’clock in the morning and when the family arose at five he was dead. It now transpires that Roney was found under circumstances which indicate he was murdered, and Gunder Severson was arrested, charged with the crime.

Dr. Hefllin was called and with Sheriff Norgard went to the scene of the tragedy to hold an inquest. A jury was impanelled and after viewing the remains and making other examinations returned the following verdict.

We, the jury, empanelled by E.M. Hefllin, coroner of Winnesheik Co., to wit: Wm. Hilleman, chairman, M Broghamer and J.W. Hogan, for an inquest holden on the dead body of Patrick Roney, found dead at the residence of Gunder Severson, of Canoe township, Winnesheik Co., find Patrick Roney came to his death from the hands of Gunder Severson, to the best of our knowledge and belief, from evidence here annexed.

WM. HILLEMAN

M. BROGHAMER.

J.W. HOGAN.

Roney was found lying face downward in a pool of blood, and his head badly battered. The evidence brought before the jury was that of Mr. Severson’s son-in-law, and in effect is that he went into the house and found Roney on the floor with Severson on top of him, pounding him. This was considered sufficient evidence on which to arrest and hold the latter for the crime. Friday morning he was taken before Justice Morss and plead not guilty. A hearing in the case was set for yesterday.

Thursday night the body of Roney was brought to town and taken to Golz’s undertaking rooms. Friday a medical examination was made which showed seven scalp wounds, three of which would each have caused death. One of them was on the temple, another on the forehead and the third on the back of the head.

Source: Decorah Republican August 24, 1893 P 5 C 2

Yesterday morning at 10:30 o’clock the court house was filled with those anxious to hear the evidence present in the case. The first witness called was Ole Arneson, son-in-law of the defendant. In substance he said: –

Live in Highland township and Gunder Severson lives in Canoe. Went to his place about 9 o’clock on the evening of Aug 16th, and found Gunder Severson and Patrick Roney there. They were drinking liquor. They had some trouble and called each other bad words. Severson said, “You - - - -, I can fix you.” After that Gunder Severson ordered me to go down cellar and get some herring and told me to take them out in the shanty and wash the salt off of them, Took the lantern and went out there, The first thing I saw, Patrick Roney stood up off of the lounge. Severson got hold of him and threw him over his head and then struck Roney some hard blows. Went in and pulled Severson off and said “Please don’t hurt him.” Gunder sat down in a chair and I went to see how Pat was hurt, Severson said “Let him go and die.” Between 12 and 1 o’clock Henry Severson, defendant’s son, came home. We sat there till about 2 o’clock, when Henry and I went up stairs to bed and left Gunder down stairs. Patrick was breathing when we went to bed. About sun-rise Severson came up stairs and woke us up, and said he thought Roney was dead. We went down and found Patrick lying as dead. While we were hitching up Gunder said, “You fellows seen Patrick fall and hurt himself.” We didn’t answer him because we didn’t see him fall himself and hurt himself. Severson wanted me to say that Patrick Roney fell by himself and hurt himself, but I shan’t say that because it wasn’t so. Couldn’t see anything in Gunder’s hand when he struck Roney; might have had something for all I could see; sounded as though he had something in his hand. They were hard blows. Saw Pat have a pop bottle. Gunder asked him for it and did not give it back. They had both been drinking. Pat seemed to be the drunker of the two. Cross examination brought out no new evidence,

Dr. Hefflin testified: –

My name is E.M. Hefflin; am coroner of Winnesheik county. Held inquest on body of Patrick Roney found dead at Gunder Severson’s, on Aug. 17th. Found Roney lying on his face; there was a pop battle under his left shoulder, his left hand was clinched and in it were hairs or whiskers. Head and face bore ten wounds and bruises which were inflicted by some blunt instrument, to the best of my knowledge and belief. The witness then located the different wounds and stated as his judgement that they would cause concussion of the brain. Roney’s body was taken to Mr. Golz, the undertaker. The coroner there caused a post mortem examination to be held in which he was assisted by Drs. Williams and Curtis, and it was their opinion that Roney came to his death from concussion of the brain caused by blows inflicted upon his head.

On cross examination the witness stated he had the pop bottle found under Roney and produced it. Also said he found a pair of tongs bearing the appearance of blood about six rods from the house, but could not produce them and did not desire to do so until he had ascertained whether it was human or animal blood. The pop bottle was put in evidence by Mr. Acres attorney for Severson.

Peter Roney was called and corroborated Dr. Hefflin’s testimony about finding the pop bottle.

Dr. Williams was called and after stating that he assisted in the post mortem examination, described the wounds found on Roney’s head and face. Skull was not fractured. Brains showed that death occurred from concussion.

Dr. Curtis’ testimony was a corroboration of Dr. Hefflin’s and Dr. Williams’ testimony regarding the nature and results of the wounds. He entered into detail in the description of different kinds of concussion, and stated that when he removed the cap of the brain he emptied there – fore blood which had been caused to flow from the blows, and did not come from the brain.

Here the the state closed its testimony.

The only witness called on the part of the defense was Henry Severson, son of Gunder Severson His testimony was mainly heresay, being principally a repetition of what he was told about the affair by his brother-in-law.

The case was submitted to the Justice without argument who bound the prisoner over to the District Court and remanded him to jail.

Phelps Cemetery
 

Winneshiek Obituaries maintained by Bruce Kuennen.
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