Coroner Dearborn was called to Ripley Tuesday evening to hold an inquest over the remains of Charles W. McClure. Mr. McClure lived alone in the east end of Ripley. He was found dead by Harry Westbrook Tuesday. Mr. McClure was last seen Tuesday afternoon. He then told his relatives that he was going to get his pension papers and have them signed up and then visit some neighbors. For this reason no suspicion was aroused when they did not notice his absence from the town. Dr. Millen found the papers still in the post office and made inquiry concerning him. This led his relatives to seek him with the results stated. He had died while eating his dinner, and his head had fallen over on the table. $87.55 was found on his person. Deceased was 77 years of age. The verdict of the coroner’s jury was to the effect that his death came from natural causes – old age, complicated with chronic heart difficulties. There was no evidence of foul play. The time of death was supposed to be about noon Saturday. The funeral will be held Thursday afternoon at 3 p. m. under the auspices of the G. A. R.
Source: Mt. Sterling Democrat Message, p. 9, col. 3, Saturday, 18 Jan 1896.