The Daily Northwestern, Oshkosh Thur 21 Sep 1882 Page 4:
The death of James A. McCourt, which from the time of the accident to him by which he broke his leg, was to his physicians only a question of time, occurred at 1:30 o'clock this morning. In one sense, the death was sudden. During he night he seemed to suffer scarcely any and talked and chatted freely with his brother Peter and those around him. Only a few minutes before he expired he lit a cigar and smoked part of it, saying to his brother, "they ain't going to bury me, yet awhile, hey Pete?". In fact he was so cheerful that the relatives who were spending the night at the house began to feel quite encouraged and somewhat hopeful in comparison with the cheerless prospects during the previous day. Suddenly there was a relaxation, he began to smile and died without a word and without a struggle, with the smile on his face.
It is not certain when the funeral will take place. Telegrams have been sent in every direction northward in quest of his father. The last heard of him he was at Duluth. It is learned that he there stated that he would either take a boat for Marquette or go to St. Paul. Telegrams have been sent to various places where it was thought he might be overtaken, but up to present writing no tiding have been received of him. It is thought now that the funeral will have to be delayed until Sunday, but may take place Saturday should his father be found and be able to reach here by that time.
Anticipating the possibility of death, McCourt two or three days ago willed his store and life insurance and in fact all his worldly possessions to his mother.
His sister, Mrs. W. H. Courtney, arrived here Tuesday, having fortunately started on her way west from New York on a visit previous to the accident.
Telegrams have been sent to his sister, Lizzie, at Denver, but have failed to reach her. The deceased was in the 36th year of his age. He was born in Buffalo, NY, and was a mere child when his parents moved west and settled in this city.
Note: There were several succeeding newspaper accounts. His father was located at Ashland and would arrive on the 9:30 train 22 Sep and Lizzie located in Burlington, Iowa and would arrive 23 Sep. Funeral to be Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock from St. Peter's Catholic Church.