Norfolk City Virginia USGenWeb Archives Obituaries.....Swank, Mary A January 12, 1886 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/va/vafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Suzy Ward Fleming wardflemin@aol.com May 19, 2015, 7:47 pm The Public Ledger, Mon., Jan. 11, 1886, pg. 1 Sudden Death from Apoplexy-This community was startled and astounded yesterday morning by the announcement that Mrs. Mary A. Swank, a well-known lady of this city, had been murdered at her residence, No. 12 Cumberland Street, and that her son, by a former marriage, Homer W. Abdell, had been arrested on suspicion, and that her husband Mr. Luther. Swank, was under guard at the house. It seems that between 8 and 9 o’clock Saturday night a lady, who lives in the same building heard the cries of “Murder!” “Help!” “Police!” & cries, and going out into the hallway saw young Abdell supporting his mother’s head on his knee, but stating that he did not know who it was, but that he had found her lying senseless on the floor. Drs. Hunter, Rose, and Nash were called in, but could do nothing for the relief of the patient, and she died between 3 and 4 o’clock in the morning, without regaining consciousness. In the meantime, a loaded cane had been found in the hall, and Abdell was arrested on suspicion of having assaulted his mother, he being somewhat intoxicated at the time, and was taken to the station house. Mr. Swank, the husband, was in bed at the time of the occurrence, and knew nothing of his wife’s condition until he was informed by someone who entered the room. He was also placed under arrest, but was allowed to remain at home. City Coroner Dr. E.V. Newton was notified of the death of Mrs. Swank, and of the suspicious circumstances, and he ordered a jury of inquest to be summoned, which assembled between 10 and 11 o’clock, as follows: Messrs. B.A. Richardson, W.B. Payne, F.P. McIntyre, John J. McIntyre, A.M. McIntyre and Joseph McIntyre. Dr. Newton, assisted by Dr. George H. Rose, conducted the autopsy, first giving the scalp a careful examination, but finding no abrasion or mark whatever to indicate that a blow had been received. The skull, upon being laid bare, showed no indentation or fracture, but when the brain was exposed the cause of death was at once evident. The left hemisphere of the brain was badly diseased and softened, indicating that it had been long affected, and that death from apoplexy was liable to occur at any moment. The brain had broken down, causing a cavity, with extravagated blood, and death from apoplexy followed as a natural result. The jury at once returned a verdict in accordance with the facts thus demonstrated and the two gentlemen, the husband and the son were forth with released from custody. It is regretted that undue haste in jumping to the conclusion that a murder had been committed should have placed innocent persons in the predicament in which Messrs. Swank and Abdell found themselves, and at a time, too, when there tenderest feeling were naturally aroused, the should be charged with a monstrous and unnatural crime, of which they were wholly and entirely innocent, even in thought. The funeral of Mrs. Swank will take place at 2 o’clock tomorrow afternoon from the Cumberland Street M.E. Church, and friends and acquaintances are invited. The Norfolk Virginian, Tues., Jan. 12, 1886 On Sunday night between 9 and 10 o’clock, when Mr. H.M. Abdell went to his home, No. 12 Cumberland Street, he found his mother, Mrs. Mary A. Swank lying in the hallway. He began crying “Murder” and “Help”, and was heard by a lady living in the building. The cries were reported at the station house, and Mr. Abdell was placed under arrest and locked up. Mr. Luther Swank, the husband of the lady, was also placed under arrest on suspicion, but was allowed to remain at the house. Mrs. Swank was unconscious, and Drs. Nash, Hunter and Rose were called in, but could afford no relief and she died about 3 a.m. Yesterday morning Dr. E.V. Newton caused a jury of inquest to be summoned, and an autopsy was held by Dr. Rose and himself. The brain was examined and it was found that the deceased had come to her death from apoplexy, the brain being soft and diseased. The jury returned a verdict in accordance with the results of the autopsy and the two prisoners were released. The funeral will take place from the Cumberland Street M.E. Church this afternoon at 2 o’clock. The Norfolk Virginian, Wed., Jan. 13, 1886. Pg. 1 The funeral of the late Mary A. Swank, who died of apoplexy at an early hour Sunday morning took place from the Cumberland Street M.E. Church yesterday afternoon at 2 o’clock, and was very largely attended. Rev. A.G. Brown, pastor of the church, conducted the services, and preached an eloquent funeral sermon, after which the remains were interred in Elmwood Cemetery. Additional Comments: Elmwood File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/norfolkcity/obits/s/swank8122gob.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/vafiles/ File size: 5.2 Kb