Norfolk City Virginia USGenWeb Archives Obituaries.....Clogan, Thomas May 28, 1899
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Robert Woolfitt http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00034.html#0008401 November 21, 2022, 3:38 pm

Virginian-Pilot  May 30, 1899
Mr. Thomas Clogan, who for a quarter of a century or more held the position of 
toll-gatherer for Holt street bridge, and was a familiar figure to all who had 
recourse to that thoroughfare in passing to and from the city proper, is dead.

The body of the old man was found between 5 and 6 o’clock Sunday morning in the 
water. Life was extinct. The alarm was given and friends and acquaintances, 
together with Chief of Police Kizer, Sheriff Lawler, a friend of the deceased, and 
Coroner Newton, soon gathered at the scene.

There was much speculation as to the cause of the old man’s death. He had been 
seen by friends Saturday morning, sitting at the window of his house on the 
bridge, where he has continued to reside since the bridge passed to the control of 
the city by purchase and became free. And there were numerous rumors suggestive of 
suicide. Traced down, however, nothing was learned to cast doubt upon the original 
theory that it was a case of accidental drowning.

The first news of the drowning was received at the police station by telephone 
Sunday morning. Captain Vellines, who was en route home, had the body removed from 
the canal, where it was found floating. Later, it was taken to Oliver’s 
undertaking rooms, on Freemason street, where Coroner Newton viewed it and held an 
inquest. All the testimony available was heard, including that of several persons 
who had seen him Saturday morning en route to witness the advent of the Spanish 
cruiser, Reina Mercedes, into the harbor. No one could throw any light upon the 
mystery of his death. The jury rendered a verdict, in accordance with the facts, 
namely, death by accidental drowning.

The body was prepared for burial by Funeral Director Oliver. and removed to the 
house of Mr. P. Binton, No. 137 Kelly avenue, Brambleton Ward, from whence the 
funeral took place at 3 o’clock yesterday afternoon, Rev. Father Doherty, of St. 
Mary’s Catholic Church, conducting the services. The remains were laid to rest in 
St. Mary’s Catholic cemetery.

Rumor succeeded rumor in quick succession as to the cause of Mr. Clogan’s death. 
One had it that he became discouraged in consequence of losing his position of 
toll-gatherer, and had sought exemption from sorrow in a voluntary death in the 
water over which had gathered tolls for more than twenty-five years. Another was 
to the effect that he had, while en route to the river front Saturday, told a boy 
that he would never return. There were others of course, but thoroughly sifted, 
they were found to be rumors, without foundation. Still there are friends and 
acquaintances of the deceased who cling to the theory of suicide, assigning as the 
basis of their belief that he was crippled, out of work, conscious of his 
inability to earn a living in old age, and, in a moment of despondency, he plunged 
into the canal where his body was found.

It is worthy of note that Mr. Clogan's home, the old toll house, where he 
continued to reside, was found secured. When he left, he deposited ample food for 
his pets, a cat and mocking bird. His truck was locked, his revolver loaded and 
everything orderly and neat. Nothing was found to indicate self-destruction, nor 
has any one, save the boy mentioned, come forward to testify that he had expressed 
discouragement and a desire to end his 1ife. The most reasonable theory thus far 
advanced was that he fell into the water accidentally and was drowned. He was in 
the habit of going to the trestle for shrimps, and many believe he lost his
life on this mission. It will probably never be known whether he met death
voluntarily or accidentally until the great book of secrets is opened and 
proclaimed by the recording angel.

The hour of Mr. Clogan’s death is also a mystery. His watch, which is said to have 
been an accurate timekeeper, stopped at 4 o'clock, but whether it ceased to run 
Saturday afternoon or Sunday morning at that hour will probab1y never be known.

Twenty-seven cents in money was found. This small amount is believed to represent 
the amount of money at the command of Mr. Clogan.

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