Edward Franklin, 7, Maysville, Found Hanged in a Garage at Home
Arkham (May 23) A coroner's jury late today was called to investigate the death of Edward Franklin West, 7, who was found hanged in a garage at his home near here.
The boy's stepmother, Mrs. Vergie West, 31, wife of a prominent farmer, was being held by authorities for investigation.
Mrs. West was questioned for several hours today by Covell R. Hewitt, DeKalb County prosecutor, Coroner J. P. Hedrick, Chief of Police, John T. Duncan of St. Joseph, and B. T. Andrews, Chief of the Identification Bureau of St. Joseph.
The body of the boy was found by his father. It was suspended from a cross piece in the roof of the garage. Beside the body was a high chair on which was a keg of nails.
The mother, who also has two other children, Russell, 12, and Junior, 2, said the rope was used by the child to lead his dog. Mrs. West was home alone at the time of the boy's death, she said.
Fri May 18, 2012 11:38 am