Son of Thomas & Margaret (Strosnider) Werry. Died at age 11 shortly after being attacked by two other boys on his way to school.
Newspaper article about his death.
The Canton Daily Ledger
January 18, 1928
BOY 11 DIES UNKNOWN CAUSES
Gerald Werry, 11 year old son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Werry, 1045 South Sixth Avenue, died at Graham hospital yesterday afternoon just before 5 o'clock after he had left his home to return to school after lunch, apparently in good health and spirits.
What caused Gerald's death is yet to be determined at an inquest set by Coroner L. R. Chapin for 7 o'clock this evening at the Sebree home. Meantime the coroner is investigating several theories which with testimony at the hearing may unravel the uncertainty surrounding the boy's death.
As officials and everyone connected with the case went further into it today, it seemed as if the complications in the way of finding the solution grew greater instead of being cleared away.
Dr. Verne Hays, who with Dr. T. C. Hays attended the boy after he was found dying, stated that Gerald had concussion of the brain when he died, but any statement as to the cause of death must properly come from the coroner's jury.
All symptoms point ot concussion the physician said. The problem before the investigators is to determine with certainty how the concussion was received and also what other possible factors enter in.
Sisters of the boy said Gerald was kicked in the head by an older boy while wrestling with another, and the boys in question, together with a third who was with them, deny Gerald was kicked.
That the boy became ill on the way to school is certain and efforts are being made to trace this illness as a possible explanation of death as well as the result of a concussion. Ptomaine and accidental poisoning have been considered.
The boy was found dazed on a bench in the Kellogg school basement and it also is thought possible that he became ill or had some sort of seizure and fell on the floor there, striking his head.
Gerald a pupil in the fifth grade at Kelogg school, who according to his mother was singing during the noon hour and displayed no signs of illness, started for school as usual after lunch. His sister Margaret later said she saw Gerald wrestling or fighting with another boy before they reached the school grounds, and that a third by came up and kicked Gerald in the head, then left him.
The boy with whom Gerald was tussling was Glenn Fordyce 8 years old, son of Mr. and Mrs. M. A. Stillwell, residing on South Seventh avenue not far from the Werry home. It was Glenn's brother Francis 14, who came up and kicked Gerald during the tussle, according to Gerald's sisters.
The Stillwell family came here in September from Gladstone. Glenn is in the third grade at Kellogg and Francis is in the fourth grade.
Winifred, another sister said her brother sat down on some boards and complained that his head hurt and that he felt sick. He told her, she said, that he would go thothe basement o the school and then return home.
Mrs. Gladys B. Crouch, Gerald's teacher, said the boy did not appear in his room after lunch and so far as any of the teachers knew he was not on the grounds. About 2 o'clock, Arthur Wheeler, a second grade pupil, reported to his teacher that there was a boy sick in the basement. The teacher investigated and found Gerald in a stupor.
He had been sick and was almost unconscious. All he could say was "I want my Mamma." over and over. The mother was summoned and she called Drs. T. C. and Verne Hays, who found the boy had lapsed into unsconsciousness and was in a very serious condition.
They had taken him to Graham hospital where emergency treatments were given in an effort to save his ebbing life but the boy died shortly before 5 o'clock in the afternoon.
All members of Gerald's family were grief stricken by the tragedy. Mrs. Werry tearfully recalled how the boy had cheerfully gone about his chores in the morning, carrying out the ashes and bringing incoal and joining his sisters in singing "Four Leaf Clover." She seemed hardly able to realize that her boy had been snatched away so suddenly.
Gerald had missed only about two half days at school this term she said, and although small for his age, he had been hardly and seldom ill. The previous night the boy's sister Margaret had a vivid dream of some impending fate, but she said her brother Luther, not Gerald, was the central figure.
She did not tell her mother about the dream, she said, because Mrs. Werry had a fear of the reality of dreams since the day a year ago when her eldest son Burnett was seriously burned while out hunting, declaring that she was forewarned by a dream that this was going to happen.
Gerald was born April 23, 1916. He is survived by his parents and the following brothers and sisters; Nellie, Burnett, Luther, Margaret, Winifred, and Frances.
Mrs. Werry was formerly Margaret Strosnider. The family has lived here about four years, before that residing at Farmington, Norris and Brereton. Mr. Werry is a miner.
The hour of the inquest was deferred so that Coroner chapin might have opportunity for a complete investigation.
Dr. Chapin this morning questioned the boys who were with Gerald on his way to school yesterday and they told the following story;
The Werry boy waited for Glenn and Francis Fordyce and they started for school together. Frank Kennedy joining them. The boys set out across a vacant lot between fifth and sixth avenues, South of Linn street and on the grass Gerald and Glenn had a friendly wrestling match as they sometimes did, according to the others.
Both the Fordyce boys and Frank Kennedy said that no one kicked Gerald. All four then went on to Linn street and stopped behind a signboard where Gerald leaned against a post and complained that he had a severe headache, and soon sat down on some boards. The boys had some candy and Kennedy and Werry were eating it.
As they prepared to go on toward school, Gerald said he felt too sick to go on. The larger Fordyce boy said he offered to carry him but when the offer was refused the two brothers went on. Kennedy staying with the sick boy.
Within a little while Werry and Kennedy also went on and Gerald went to the basement, where he was discovered about an hour later, lying on a bench. He had been to the toilet and had become sick at his stomach but had managed to drag himself to the bench.
It is believed possible that the concussion indicated by symptoms might have been caused either by a blow or a fall to the floor. Vomiting accompanies concussion or it might also been caused otherwise, according to physicians.
While there were no outward signs of an injury which might have resulted in concussion when the boy was found; when his circulation was increased at the hospital a bruise appeared above the right eye, and was visable at death.
Gerald's sister is said to have declared before she knew of the bruise, that Gerald was kicked over the right eye.
Newspaper article about his death.
The Canton Daily Ledger
January 18, 1928
BOY 11 DIES UNKNOWN CAUSES
Gerald Werry, 11 year old son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Werry, 1045 South Sixth Avenue, died at Graham hospital yesterday afternoon just before 5 o'clock after he had left his home to return to school after lunch, apparently in good health and spirits.
What caused Gerald's death is yet to be determined at an inquest set by Coroner L. R. Chapin for 7 o'clock this evening at the Sebree home. Meantime the coroner is investigating several theories which with testimony at the hearing may unravel the uncertainty surrounding the boy's death.
As officials and everyone connected with the case went further into it today, it seemed as if the complications in the way of finding the solution grew greater instead of being cleared away.
Dr. Verne Hays, who with Dr. T. C. Hays attended the boy after he was found dying, stated that Gerald had concussion of the brain when he died, but any statement as to the cause of death must properly come from the coroner's jury.
All symptoms point ot concussion the physician said. The problem before the investigators is to determine with certainty how the concussion was received and also what other possible factors enter in.
Sisters of the boy said Gerald was kicked in the head by an older boy while wrestling with another, and the boys in question, together with a third who was with them, deny Gerald was kicked.
That the boy became ill on the way to school is certain and efforts are being made to trace this illness as a possible explanation of death as well as the result of a concussion. Ptomaine and accidental poisoning have been considered.
The boy was found dazed on a bench in the Kellogg school basement and it also is thought possible that he became ill or had some sort of seizure and fell on the floor there, striking his head.
Gerald a pupil in the fifth grade at Kelogg school, who according to his mother was singing during the noon hour and displayed no signs of illness, started for school as usual after lunch. His sister Margaret later said she saw Gerald wrestling or fighting with another boy before they reached the school grounds, and that a third by came up and kicked Gerald in the head, then left him.
The boy with whom Gerald was tussling was Glenn Fordyce 8 years old, son of Mr. and Mrs. M. A. Stillwell, residing on South Seventh avenue not far from the Werry home. It was Glenn's brother Francis 14, who came up and kicked Gerald during the tussle, according to Gerald's sisters.
The Stillwell family came here in September from Gladstone. Glenn is in the third grade at Kellogg and Francis is in the fourth grade.
Winifred, another sister said her brother sat down on some boards and complained that his head hurt and that he felt sick. He told her, she said, that he would go thothe basement o the school and then return home.
Mrs. Gladys B. Crouch, Gerald's teacher, said the boy did not appear in his room after lunch and so far as any of the teachers knew he was not on the grounds. About 2 o'clock, Arthur Wheeler, a second grade pupil, reported to his teacher that there was a boy sick in the basement. The teacher investigated and found Gerald in a stupor.
He had been sick and was almost unconscious. All he could say was "I want my Mamma." over and over. The mother was summoned and she called Drs. T. C. and Verne Hays, who found the boy had lapsed into unsconsciousness and was in a very serious condition.
They had taken him to Graham hospital where emergency treatments were given in an effort to save his ebbing life but the boy died shortly before 5 o'clock in the afternoon.
All members of Gerald's family were grief stricken by the tragedy. Mrs. Werry tearfully recalled how the boy had cheerfully gone about his chores in the morning, carrying out the ashes and bringing incoal and joining his sisters in singing "Four Leaf Clover." She seemed hardly able to realize that her boy had been snatched away so suddenly.
Gerald had missed only about two half days at school this term she said, and although small for his age, he had been hardly and seldom ill. The previous night the boy's sister Margaret had a vivid dream of some impending fate, but she said her brother Luther, not Gerald, was the central figure.
She did not tell her mother about the dream, she said, because Mrs. Werry had a fear of the reality of dreams since the day a year ago when her eldest son Burnett was seriously burned while out hunting, declaring that she was forewarned by a dream that this was going to happen.
Gerald was born April 23, 1916. He is survived by his parents and the following brothers and sisters; Nellie, Burnett, Luther, Margaret, Winifred, and Frances.
Mrs. Werry was formerly Margaret Strosnider. The family has lived here about four years, before that residing at Farmington, Norris and Brereton. Mr. Werry is a miner.
The hour of the inquest was deferred so that Coroner chapin might have opportunity for a complete investigation.
Dr. Chapin this morning questioned the boys who were with Gerald on his way to school yesterday and they told the following story;
The Werry boy waited for Glenn and Francis Fordyce and they started for school together. Frank Kennedy joining them. The boys set out across a vacant lot between fifth and sixth avenues, South of Linn street and on the grass Gerald and Glenn had a friendly wrestling match as they sometimes did, according to the others.
Both the Fordyce boys and Frank Kennedy said that no one kicked Gerald. All four then went on to Linn street and stopped behind a signboard where Gerald leaned against a post and complained that he had a severe headache, and soon sat down on some boards. The boys had some candy and Kennedy and Werry were eating it.
As they prepared to go on toward school, Gerald said he felt too sick to go on. The larger Fordyce boy said he offered to carry him but when the offer was refused the two brothers went on. Kennedy staying with the sick boy.
Within a little while Werry and Kennedy also went on and Gerald went to the basement, where he was discovered about an hour later, lying on a bench. He had been to the toilet and had become sick at his stomach but had managed to drag himself to the bench.
It is believed possible that the concussion indicated by symptoms might have been caused either by a blow or a fall to the floor. Vomiting accompanies concussion or it might also been caused otherwise, according to physicians.
While there were no outward signs of an injury which might have resulted in concussion when the boy was found; when his circulation was increased at the hospital a bruise appeared above the right eye, and was visable at death.
Gerald's sister is said to have declared before she knew of the bruise, that Gerald was kicked over the right eye.
Son of Thomas & Margaret (Strosnider) Werry. Died at age 11 shortly after being attacked by two other boys on his way to school.
Newspaper article about his death.
The Canton Daily Ledger
January 18, 1928
BOY 11 DIES UNKNOWN CAUSES
Gerald Werry, 11 year old son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Werry, 1045 South Sixth Avenue, died at Graham hospital yesterday afternoon just before 5 o'clock after he had left his home to return to school after lunch, apparently in good health and spirits.
What caused Gerald's death is yet to be determined at an inquest set by Coroner L. R. Chapin for 7 o'clock this evening at the Sebree home. Meantime the coroner is investigating several theories which with testimony at the hearing may unravel the uncertainty surrounding the boy's death.
As officials and everyone connected with the case went further into it today, it seemed as if the complications in the way of finding the solution grew greater instead of being cleared away.
Dr. Verne Hays, who with Dr. T. C. Hays attended the boy after he was found dying, stated that Gerald had concussion of the brain when he died, but any statement as to the cause of death must properly come from the coroner's jury.
All symptoms point ot concussion the physician said. The problem before the investigators is to determine with certainty how the concussion was received and also what other possible factors enter in.
Sisters of the boy said Gerald was kicked in the head by an older boy while wrestling with another, and the boys in question, together with a third who was with them, deny Gerald was kicked.
That the boy became ill on the way to school is certain and efforts are being made to trace this illness as a possible explanation of death as well as the result of a concussion. Ptomaine and accidental poisoning have been considered.
The boy was found dazed on a bench in the Kellogg school basement and it also is thought possible that he became ill or had some sort of seizure and fell on the floor there, striking his head.
Gerald a pupil in the fifth grade at Kelogg school, who according to his mother was singing during the noon hour and displayed no signs of illness, started for school as usual after lunch. His sister Margaret later said she saw Gerald wrestling or fighting with another boy before they reached the school grounds, and that a third by came up and kicked Gerald in the head, then left him.
The boy with whom Gerald was tussling was Glenn Fordyce 8 years old, son of Mr. and Mrs. M. A. Stillwell, residing on South Seventh avenue not far from the Werry home. It was Glenn's brother Francis 14, who came up and kicked Gerald during the tussle, according to Gerald's sisters.
The Stillwell family came here in September from Gladstone. Glenn is in the third grade at Kellogg and Francis is in the fourth grade.
Winifred, another sister said her brother sat down on some boards and complained that his head hurt and that he felt sick. He told her, she said, that he would go thothe basement o the school and then return home.
Mrs. Gladys B. Crouch, Gerald's teacher, said the boy did not appear in his room after lunch and so far as any of the teachers knew he was not on the grounds. About 2 o'clock, Arthur Wheeler, a second grade pupil, reported to his teacher that there was a boy sick in the basement. The teacher investigated and found Gerald in a stupor.
He had been sick and was almost unconscious. All he could say was "I want my Mamma." over and over. The mother was summoned and she called Drs. T. C. and Verne Hays, who found the boy had lapsed into unsconsciousness and was in a very serious condition.
They had taken him to Graham hospital where emergency treatments were given in an effort to save his ebbing life but the boy died shortly before 5 o'clock in the afternoon.
All members of Gerald's family were grief stricken by the tragedy. Mrs. Werry tearfully recalled how the boy had cheerfully gone about his chores in the morning, carrying out the ashes and bringing incoal and joining his sisters in singing "Four Leaf Clover." She seemed hardly able to realize that her boy had been snatched away so suddenly.
Gerald had missed only about two half days at school this term she said, and although small for his age, he had been hardly and seldom ill. The previous night the boy's sister Margaret had a vivid dream of some impending fate, but she said her brother Luther, not Gerald, was the central figure.
She did not tell her mother about the dream, she said, because Mrs. Werry had a fear of the reality of dreams since the day a year ago when her eldest son Burnett was seriously burned while out hunting, declaring that she was forewarned by a dream that this was going to happen.
Gerald was born April 23, 1916. He is survived by his parents and the following brothers and sisters; Nellie, Burnett, Luther, Margaret, Winifred, and Frances.
Mrs. Werry was formerly Margaret Strosnider. The family has lived here about four years, before that residing at Farmington, Norris and Brereton. Mr. Werry is a miner.
The hour of the inquest was deferred so that Coroner chapin might have opportunity for a complete investigation.
Dr. Chapin this morning questioned the boys who were with Gerald on his way to school yesterday and they told the following story;
The Werry boy waited for Glenn and Francis Fordyce and they started for school together. Frank Kennedy joining them. The boys set out across a vacant lot between fifth and sixth avenues, South of Linn street and on the grass Gerald and Glenn had a friendly wrestling match as they sometimes did, according to the others.
Both the Fordyce boys and Frank Kennedy said that no one kicked Gerald. All four then went on to Linn street and stopped behind a signboard where Gerald leaned against a post and complained that he had a severe headache, and soon sat down on some boards. The boys had some candy and Kennedy and Werry were eating it.
As they prepared to go on toward school, Gerald said he felt too sick to go on. The larger Fordyce boy said he offered to carry him but when the offer was refused the two brothers went on. Kennedy staying with the sick boy.
Within a little while Werry and Kennedy also went on and Gerald went to the basement, where he was discovered about an hour later, lying on a bench. He had been to the toilet and had become sick at his stomach but had managed to drag himself to the bench.
It is believed possible that the concussion indicated by symptoms might have been caused either by a blow or a fall to the floor. Vomiting accompanies concussion or it might also been caused otherwise, according to physicians.
While there were no outward signs of an injury which might have resulted in concussion when the boy was found; when his circulation was increased at the hospital a bruise appeared above the right eye, and was visable at death.
Gerald's sister is said to have declared before she knew of the bruise, that Gerald was kicked over the right eye.
Newspaper article about his death.
The Canton Daily Ledger
January 18, 1928
BOY 11 DIES UNKNOWN CAUSES
Gerald Werry, 11 year old son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Werry, 1045 South Sixth Avenue, died at Graham hospital yesterday afternoon just before 5 o'clock after he had left his home to return to school after lunch, apparently in good health and spirits.
What caused Gerald's death is yet to be determined at an inquest set by Coroner L. R. Chapin for 7 o'clock this evening at the Sebree home. Meantime the coroner is investigating several theories which with testimony at the hearing may unravel the uncertainty surrounding the boy's death.
As officials and everyone connected with the case went further into it today, it seemed as if the complications in the way of finding the solution grew greater instead of being cleared away.
Dr. Verne Hays, who with Dr. T. C. Hays attended the boy after he was found dying, stated that Gerald had concussion of the brain when he died, but any statement as to the cause of death must properly come from the coroner's jury.
All symptoms point ot concussion the physician said. The problem before the investigators is to determine with certainty how the concussion was received and also what other possible factors enter in.
Sisters of the boy said Gerald was kicked in the head by an older boy while wrestling with another, and the boys in question, together with a third who was with them, deny Gerald was kicked.
That the boy became ill on the way to school is certain and efforts are being made to trace this illness as a possible explanation of death as well as the result of a concussion. Ptomaine and accidental poisoning have been considered.
The boy was found dazed on a bench in the Kellogg school basement and it also is thought possible that he became ill or had some sort of seizure and fell on the floor there, striking his head.
Gerald a pupil in the fifth grade at Kelogg school, who according to his mother was singing during the noon hour and displayed no signs of illness, started for school as usual after lunch. His sister Margaret later said she saw Gerald wrestling or fighting with another boy before they reached the school grounds, and that a third by came up and kicked Gerald in the head, then left him.
The boy with whom Gerald was tussling was Glenn Fordyce 8 years old, son of Mr. and Mrs. M. A. Stillwell, residing on South Seventh avenue not far from the Werry home. It was Glenn's brother Francis 14, who came up and kicked Gerald during the tussle, according to Gerald's sisters.
The Stillwell family came here in September from Gladstone. Glenn is in the third grade at Kellogg and Francis is in the fourth grade.
Winifred, another sister said her brother sat down on some boards and complained that his head hurt and that he felt sick. He told her, she said, that he would go thothe basement o the school and then return home.
Mrs. Gladys B. Crouch, Gerald's teacher, said the boy did not appear in his room after lunch and so far as any of the teachers knew he was not on the grounds. About 2 o'clock, Arthur Wheeler, a second grade pupil, reported to his teacher that there was a boy sick in the basement. The teacher investigated and found Gerald in a stupor.
He had been sick and was almost unconscious. All he could say was "I want my Mamma." over and over. The mother was summoned and she called Drs. T. C. and Verne Hays, who found the boy had lapsed into unsconsciousness and was in a very serious condition.
They had taken him to Graham hospital where emergency treatments were given in an effort to save his ebbing life but the boy died shortly before 5 o'clock in the afternoon.
All members of Gerald's family were grief stricken by the tragedy. Mrs. Werry tearfully recalled how the boy had cheerfully gone about his chores in the morning, carrying out the ashes and bringing incoal and joining his sisters in singing "Four Leaf Clover." She seemed hardly able to realize that her boy had been snatched away so suddenly.
Gerald had missed only about two half days at school this term she said, and although small for his age, he had been hardly and seldom ill. The previous night the boy's sister Margaret had a vivid dream of some impending fate, but she said her brother Luther, not Gerald, was the central figure.
She did not tell her mother about the dream, she said, because Mrs. Werry had a fear of the reality of dreams since the day a year ago when her eldest son Burnett was seriously burned while out hunting, declaring that she was forewarned by a dream that this was going to happen.
Gerald was born April 23, 1916. He is survived by his parents and the following brothers and sisters; Nellie, Burnett, Luther, Margaret, Winifred, and Frances.
Mrs. Werry was formerly Margaret Strosnider. The family has lived here about four years, before that residing at Farmington, Norris and Brereton. Mr. Werry is a miner.
The hour of the inquest was deferred so that Coroner chapin might have opportunity for a complete investigation.
Dr. Chapin this morning questioned the boys who were with Gerald on his way to school yesterday and they told the following story;
The Werry boy waited for Glenn and Francis Fordyce and they started for school together. Frank Kennedy joining them. The boys set out across a vacant lot between fifth and sixth avenues, South of Linn street and on the grass Gerald and Glenn had a friendly wrestling match as they sometimes did, according to the others.
Both the Fordyce boys and Frank Kennedy said that no one kicked Gerald. All four then went on to Linn street and stopped behind a signboard where Gerald leaned against a post and complained that he had a severe headache, and soon sat down on some boards. The boys had some candy and Kennedy and Werry were eating it.
As they prepared to go on toward school, Gerald said he felt too sick to go on. The larger Fordyce boy said he offered to carry him but when the offer was refused the two brothers went on. Kennedy staying with the sick boy.
Within a little while Werry and Kennedy also went on and Gerald went to the basement, where he was discovered about an hour later, lying on a bench. He had been to the toilet and had become sick at his stomach but had managed to drag himself to the bench.
It is believed possible that the concussion indicated by symptoms might have been caused either by a blow or a fall to the floor. Vomiting accompanies concussion or it might also been caused otherwise, according to physicians.
While there were no outward signs of an injury which might have resulted in concussion when the boy was found; when his circulation was increased at the hospital a bruise appeared above the right eye, and was visable at death.
Gerald's sister is said to have declared before she knew of the bruise, that Gerald was kicked over the right eye.
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