NEWS: A. L. HENCH, 1903, Altoona, Blair County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Judy Banja 

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RUMORS OF FOUL PLAY.

Coroner McCartney Will Disinter the Body of A. L. Hench, Who Died Last Week, 
and Hunt for Poison.

  Coroner McCartney decided yesterday to disinter the remains of Mr. A. L. 
Hench, who died last week and was buried Sunday.
  Rumors of foul play came to the coroner's ears and, after a consultation 
with legal talent, he decided to take the step.
  There are various stories afloat, no two alike, save in one particular.  
Every story ascribes his death to Rough on Rats, but disagree as to whether 
it was a case of suicide or murder.
  When the body is lifted, the stomach, liver, heart and other organs will be 
sent to a chemist for analysis and, should poison be found, the matter will 
be investigated still further.

Altoona Times, July 2, 1903

BODY EXHUMED.

Coroner Secures Organs of A. L. Hench and Will Take Them to Philadelphia for 
Analysis.

  Coroner McCartney yesterday afternoon went to Greenwood cemetery, accompanied 
by Dr. O. H. Shaffer, and exhumed the body of A. L. Hench, who died a few days 
since, and secured the stomach, heart, liver, kidneys and intestines, which he 
will have analyzed.
  The organs were placed in vessels and sealed in preparatory to taking them to 
Philadelphia, to be given into the hands of a chemist.  The coroner is taking 
the step because of the fact that there are rumours about that Hench met with 
his death from poison, and because their was said to befoul play in the case.
  If there is any poison found in the organs, the coroner will hold a rigid 
investigation into the death and endeavor to ascertain whether the man took the 
poison or whether it was administered by someone else.
  He has not announced when he will go to Philadelphia with the vessels, but it 
will be in a day or two.

Altoona Times, July 3, 1903