A HORRIBLE DEATH.
John Poston Sets Fire to the City jail and Perishes in the Flames.
While confined in the city calaboose for a short time last Thursday evening John Poston, in some way, set the building on fire and burned to death before he could be rescued. The fire was started on the inside of the building in one end of the small room and in a few minutes after it was discovered the unfortunate inmate was dead. The supposition is that the building was set on fire by Poston, either for the purpose of attempting to burn the lock off so he might escape, or with the intention of committing suicide. The circumstances might lead to either conclusion, but further than mere conjecture regarding the man's intentions nothing can ever be positively known, as he made no remark to those who reached the jail before his death that would help to explain his motive.
Poston had been drinking during the day and about the middle of the afternoon city marshal, Patsy Cahalan, placed him in the calaboose. While he was not apparently badly intoxicated he became noisy and ugly after being confined and as soon as the marshal left he proceeded to demolish every thing inside the jail. On taking him his supper about six o'clock the marshal discovered the condition of the jail. The cast iron stove was broken into small pieces, the stove pipe was torn down and mashed flat, the large coal box was broken into splinters, the water bucket destroyed and even the inside wooden window shutters were wrenched off and broken into splinters. Finding the calaboose in this condition the marshal searched the prisoner, fearing he might do further harm and leaving him his supper, locked the door and went up town for the purpose of making arrangements with the city officials to let him take Poston out for trial, or get permission to place him in the county jail over night. After being gone a short time and while on his way to the home of the city attorney, D. A. Rouner, the alarm of fire was given and being only about three blocks away and seeing the direction of the fire he learned at once that the calaboose was burning. He reached the building quickly but other persons were a few moments ahead of him and in their frantic efforts to rescue the imprisoned man the lock was battered until it was impossible for the marshal to get it open. Some one ran to a house near by for an ax and with a few blows the marshal knocked the lock off and pushed the door open. The flames burst out to a distance of fifteen or twenty feet and it was impossible to do anything to stop the fire until the arrival of the fire department with the pump and hose. Some hand fire extinguishers were used but they did no good.
Jas. Vaughn, who had rode into town horse back, was the first person to discover that the calaboose was on fire. He stopped at the Shumate livery barn and in getting off his horse with his face to the south he could see through the calaboose window that it was burning inside. On giving the alarm he learned that Poston was locked up in the burning building and with one or two others rushed to the door, and with a short piece of iron he picked up attempted to save the man by breaking the lock. Poston was still alive and called to Vaughn to get him out "for God's sake." Vaughn told him he would do his best and urged him to get near the window so he could get air. Poston called to them a time or two to hurry up, it was getting too hot and he couldn't stand it. A few seconds later he was heard to mourn "Oh my God!" and as he was seen through the windows to fall to the floor it was known he was dead. Only a slight glimpse of his body was seen through the flames as it lay in the raging fire, and notwithstanding a large crowd soon gathered all were powerless to do anything towards putting out the fire until the hand pump and hose were on the ground. Before their arrival the fire had gained considerable headway, but was soon extinguished. The charred body was placed in a box and taken to the council room, where an inquest was held the following morning before Justice McCullough, and the following verdict was returned by the jury:
"We the jury find that the deceased John Poston came to his death by burning in the city jail of Edina and the fire started on the inside of the jail building: origin of fire unknown."
The disaster was the most horryfying (sic) ever known here, but no blame is attached to the city marshal or any one else for the death of the unfortunate man. The fact that persons could be seen by Poston, and were easily within hearing distance, and yet he made no outcry, even after the fire had got a good start in the room, leads to the supposition that he might have started the fire with the intention of burning himself to death, and yet there are other reasons for believing that he made an attempt to burn the door so he might escape, and after starting the fire it got beyond his control. The fire evidently started at the door which was in the west end of the building and Poston's body was found east of the north window, hear the northeast corner of the room.
Citizens of Edina contributed funds to buy a coffin and the charred remains were buried Friday evening. One arm, one leg and the head were burned almost off and the body presented a sickening sight. The deceased was about 45 years of age and had been a drinking man for a number of years. He was very quarrelsome at times when drinking, but when sober was a hard worker, and made no trouble. He separated from his wife several years ago and his family has since lived at Canton.
The Edina Sentinel, Edina, Missouri, April 13, 1899
~~~~~~~
1860 United States Federal Census
Name: John W Posten
Age: 6
Birth Year: abt 1854
Gender: Male
Birth Place: Virginia
Home in 1860: Township 60 Range 19, Linn, Missouri
Post Office: Enterprise
Attended School: Yes
Household Members: Name Age
William Posten 39
Louisa Posten 34
Mary J Posten 18
Dallas Posten 16
Benjamin R Posten 14
Salina Posten 12
John W Posten 6
William L Posten 4
James M Posten 1
1870 Uninted States Federal Census
Name: John Poston
Age in 1870: 16
Birth Year: abt 1854
Birthplace: Virginia
Home in 1870: Center, Knox, Missouri
Gender: Male
Occupation: Farm Laborer
Attended School: Y
Household Members: Name Age
Charles Poston 8
William Poston 50
Louisa Poston 45
Mary Poston 27
Benjamin Poston 23
John Poston 16
Salina Poston 20
William Poston 14
James Poston 12
Elizabeth Poston 8
Virginia Poston 10
Florence Poston 6
Missouri, Marriage Records, 1805-2002
Name: John Poston
Marriage Date: 16 Jun 1878
Marriage Place: Knox, Missouri, USA
Spouse: Demaries Hanes
1880 United States Federal Census
Name: John W. Poston
Age: 28
Birth Date: Abt 1852
Birthplace: Virginia
Home in 1880: Edina, Knox, Missouri, USA
Race: White
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: Self (Head)
Marital Status: Widower
Spouse's Name: Demarious Poston
Father's Birthplace: Virginia
Mother's Birthplace: Virginia
Occupation: Runs An Engine
Household Members: Name Age
John W. Poston 28
Demarious Poston 25
Celestia R. Poston 1
John Poston Sets Fire to the City jail and Perishes in the Flames.
While confined in the city calaboose for a short time last Thursday evening John Poston, in some way, set the building on fire and burned to death before he could be rescued. The fire was started on the inside of the building in one end of the small room and in a few minutes after it was discovered the unfortunate inmate was dead. The supposition is that the building was set on fire by Poston, either for the purpose of attempting to burn the lock off so he might escape, or with the intention of committing suicide. The circumstances might lead to either conclusion, but further than mere conjecture regarding the man's intentions nothing can ever be positively known, as he made no remark to those who reached the jail before his death that would help to explain his motive.
Poston had been drinking during the day and about the middle of the afternoon city marshal, Patsy Cahalan, placed him in the calaboose. While he was not apparently badly intoxicated he became noisy and ugly after being confined and as soon as the marshal left he proceeded to demolish every thing inside the jail. On taking him his supper about six o'clock the marshal discovered the condition of the jail. The cast iron stove was broken into small pieces, the stove pipe was torn down and mashed flat, the large coal box was broken into splinters, the water bucket destroyed and even the inside wooden window shutters were wrenched off and broken into splinters. Finding the calaboose in this condition the marshal searched the prisoner, fearing he might do further harm and leaving him his supper, locked the door and went up town for the purpose of making arrangements with the city officials to let him take Poston out for trial, or get permission to place him in the county jail over night. After being gone a short time and while on his way to the home of the city attorney, D. A. Rouner, the alarm of fire was given and being only about three blocks away and seeing the direction of the fire he learned at once that the calaboose was burning. He reached the building quickly but other persons were a few moments ahead of him and in their frantic efforts to rescue the imprisoned man the lock was battered until it was impossible for the marshal to get it open. Some one ran to a house near by for an ax and with a few blows the marshal knocked the lock off and pushed the door open. The flames burst out to a distance of fifteen or twenty feet and it was impossible to do anything to stop the fire until the arrival of the fire department with the pump and hose. Some hand fire extinguishers were used but they did no good.
Jas. Vaughn, who had rode into town horse back, was the first person to discover that the calaboose was on fire. He stopped at the Shumate livery barn and in getting off his horse with his face to the south he could see through the calaboose window that it was burning inside. On giving the alarm he learned that Poston was locked up in the burning building and with one or two others rushed to the door, and with a short piece of iron he picked up attempted to save the man by breaking the lock. Poston was still alive and called to Vaughn to get him out "for God's sake." Vaughn told him he would do his best and urged him to get near the window so he could get air. Poston called to them a time or two to hurry up, it was getting too hot and he couldn't stand it. A few seconds later he was heard to mourn "Oh my God!" and as he was seen through the windows to fall to the floor it was known he was dead. Only a slight glimpse of his body was seen through the flames as it lay in the raging fire, and notwithstanding a large crowd soon gathered all were powerless to do anything towards putting out the fire until the hand pump and hose were on the ground. Before their arrival the fire had gained considerable headway, but was soon extinguished. The charred body was placed in a box and taken to the council room, where an inquest was held the following morning before Justice McCullough, and the following verdict was returned by the jury:
"We the jury find that the deceased John Poston came to his death by burning in the city jail of Edina and the fire started on the inside of the jail building: origin of fire unknown."
The disaster was the most horryfying (sic) ever known here, but no blame is attached to the city marshal or any one else for the death of the unfortunate man. The fact that persons could be seen by Poston, and were easily within hearing distance, and yet he made no outcry, even after the fire had got a good start in the room, leads to the supposition that he might have started the fire with the intention of burning himself to death, and yet there are other reasons for believing that he made an attempt to burn the door so he might escape, and after starting the fire it got beyond his control. The fire evidently started at the door which was in the west end of the building and Poston's body was found east of the north window, hear the northeast corner of the room.
Citizens of Edina contributed funds to buy a coffin and the charred remains were buried Friday evening. One arm, one leg and the head were burned almost off and the body presented a sickening sight. The deceased was about 45 years of age and had been a drinking man for a number of years. He was very quarrelsome at times when drinking, but when sober was a hard worker, and made no trouble. He separated from his wife several years ago and his family has since lived at Canton.
The Edina Sentinel, Edina, Missouri, April 13, 1899
~~~~~~~
1860 United States Federal Census
Name: John W Posten
Age: 6
Birth Year: abt 1854
Gender: Male
Birth Place: Virginia
Home in 1860: Township 60 Range 19, Linn, Missouri
Post Office: Enterprise
Attended School: Yes
Household Members: Name Age
William Posten 39
Louisa Posten 34
Mary J Posten 18
Dallas Posten 16
Benjamin R Posten 14
Salina Posten 12
John W Posten 6
William L Posten 4
James M Posten 1
1870 Uninted States Federal Census
Name: John Poston
Age in 1870: 16
Birth Year: abt 1854
Birthplace: Virginia
Home in 1870: Center, Knox, Missouri
Gender: Male
Occupation: Farm Laborer
Attended School: Y
Household Members: Name Age
Charles Poston 8
William Poston 50
Louisa Poston 45
Mary Poston 27
Benjamin Poston 23
John Poston 16
Salina Poston 20
William Poston 14
James Poston 12
Elizabeth Poston 8
Virginia Poston 10
Florence Poston 6
Missouri, Marriage Records, 1805-2002
Name: John Poston
Marriage Date: 16 Jun 1878
Marriage Place: Knox, Missouri, USA
Spouse: Demaries Hanes
1880 United States Federal Census
Name: John W. Poston
Age: 28
Birth Date: Abt 1852
Birthplace: Virginia
Home in 1880: Edina, Knox, Missouri, USA
Race: White
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: Self (Head)
Marital Status: Widower
Spouse's Name: Demarious Poston
Father's Birthplace: Virginia
Mother's Birthplace: Virginia
Occupation: Runs An Engine
Household Members: Name Age
John W. Poston 28
Demarious Poston 25
Celestia R. Poston 1
A HORRIBLE DEATH.
John Poston Sets Fire to the City jail and Perishes in the Flames.
While confined in the city calaboose for a short time last Thursday evening John Poston, in some way, set the building on fire and burned to death before he could be rescued. The fire was started on the inside of the building in one end of the small room and in a few minutes after it was discovered the unfortunate inmate was dead. The supposition is that the building was set on fire by Poston, either for the purpose of attempting to burn the lock off so he might escape, or with the intention of committing suicide. The circumstances might lead to either conclusion, but further than mere conjecture regarding the man's intentions nothing can ever be positively known, as he made no remark to those who reached the jail before his death that would help to explain his motive.
Poston had been drinking during the day and about the middle of the afternoon city marshal, Patsy Cahalan, placed him in the calaboose. While he was not apparently badly intoxicated he became noisy and ugly after being confined and as soon as the marshal left he proceeded to demolish every thing inside the jail. On taking him his supper about six o'clock the marshal discovered the condition of the jail. The cast iron stove was broken into small pieces, the stove pipe was torn down and mashed flat, the large coal box was broken into splinters, the water bucket destroyed and even the inside wooden window shutters were wrenched off and broken into splinters. Finding the calaboose in this condition the marshal searched the prisoner, fearing he might do further harm and leaving him his supper, locked the door and went up town for the purpose of making arrangements with the city officials to let him take Poston out for trial, or get permission to place him in the county jail over night. After being gone a short time and while on his way to the home of the city attorney, D. A. Rouner, the alarm of fire was given and being only about three blocks away and seeing the direction of the fire he learned at once that the calaboose was burning. He reached the building quickly but other persons were a few moments ahead of him and in their frantic efforts to rescue the imprisoned man the lock was battered until it was impossible for the marshal to get it open. Some one ran to a house near by for an ax and with a few blows the marshal knocked the lock off and pushed the door open. The flames burst out to a distance of fifteen or twenty feet and it was impossible to do anything to stop the fire until the arrival of the fire department with the pump and hose. Some hand fire extinguishers were used but they did no good.
Jas. Vaughn, who had rode into town horse back, was the first person to discover that the calaboose was on fire. He stopped at the Shumate livery barn and in getting off his horse with his face to the south he could see through the calaboose window that it was burning inside. On giving the alarm he learned that Poston was locked up in the burning building and with one or two others rushed to the door, and with a short piece of iron he picked up attempted to save the man by breaking the lock. Poston was still alive and called to Vaughn to get him out "for God's sake." Vaughn told him he would do his best and urged him to get near the window so he could get air. Poston called to them a time or two to hurry up, it was getting too hot and he couldn't stand it. A few seconds later he was heard to mourn "Oh my God!" and as he was seen through the windows to fall to the floor it was known he was dead. Only a slight glimpse of his body was seen through the flames as it lay in the raging fire, and notwithstanding a large crowd soon gathered all were powerless to do anything towards putting out the fire until the hand pump and hose were on the ground. Before their arrival the fire had gained considerable headway, but was soon extinguished. The charred body was placed in a box and taken to the council room, where an inquest was held the following morning before Justice McCullough, and the following verdict was returned by the jury:
"We the jury find that the deceased John Poston came to his death by burning in the city jail of Edina and the fire started on the inside of the jail building: origin of fire unknown."
The disaster was the most horryfying (sic) ever known here, but no blame is attached to the city marshal or any one else for the death of the unfortunate man. The fact that persons could be seen by Poston, and were easily within hearing distance, and yet he made no outcry, even after the fire had got a good start in the room, leads to the supposition that he might have started the fire with the intention of burning himself to death, and yet there are other reasons for believing that he made an attempt to burn the door so he might escape, and after starting the fire it got beyond his control. The fire evidently started at the door which was in the west end of the building and Poston's body was found east of the north window, hear the northeast corner of the room.
Citizens of Edina contributed funds to buy a coffin and the charred remains were buried Friday evening. One arm, one leg and the head were burned almost off and the body presented a sickening sight. The deceased was about 45 years of age and had been a drinking man for a number of years. He was very quarrelsome at times when drinking, but when sober was a hard worker, and made no trouble. He separated from his wife several years ago and his family has since lived at Canton.
The Edina Sentinel, Edina, Missouri, April 13, 1899
~~~~~~~
1860 United States Federal Census
Name: John W Posten
Age: 6
Birth Year: abt 1854
Gender: Male
Birth Place: Virginia
Home in 1860: Township 60 Range 19, Linn, Missouri
Post Office: Enterprise
Attended School: Yes
Household Members: Name Age
William Posten 39
Louisa Posten 34
Mary J Posten 18
Dallas Posten 16
Benjamin R Posten 14
Salina Posten 12
John W Posten 6
William L Posten 4
James M Posten 1
1870 Uninted States Federal Census
Name: John Poston
Age in 1870: 16
Birth Year: abt 1854
Birthplace: Virginia
Home in 1870: Center, Knox, Missouri
Gender: Male
Occupation: Farm Laborer
Attended School: Y
Household Members: Name Age
Charles Poston 8
William Poston 50
Louisa Poston 45
Mary Poston 27
Benjamin Poston 23
John Poston 16
Salina Poston 20
William Poston 14
James Poston 12
Elizabeth Poston 8
Virginia Poston 10
Florence Poston 6
Missouri, Marriage Records, 1805-2002
Name: John Poston
Marriage Date: 16 Jun 1878
Marriage Place: Knox, Missouri, USA
Spouse: Demaries Hanes
1880 United States Federal Census
Name: John W. Poston
Age: 28
Birth Date: Abt 1852
Birthplace: Virginia
Home in 1880: Edina, Knox, Missouri, USA
Race: White
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: Self (Head)
Marital Status: Widower
Spouse's Name: Demarious Poston
Father's Birthplace: Virginia
Mother's Birthplace: Virginia
Occupation: Runs An Engine
Household Members: Name Age
John W. Poston 28
Demarious Poston 25
Celestia R. Poston 1
John Poston Sets Fire to the City jail and Perishes in the Flames.
While confined in the city calaboose for a short time last Thursday evening John Poston, in some way, set the building on fire and burned to death before he could be rescued. The fire was started on the inside of the building in one end of the small room and in a few minutes after it was discovered the unfortunate inmate was dead. The supposition is that the building was set on fire by Poston, either for the purpose of attempting to burn the lock off so he might escape, or with the intention of committing suicide. The circumstances might lead to either conclusion, but further than mere conjecture regarding the man's intentions nothing can ever be positively known, as he made no remark to those who reached the jail before his death that would help to explain his motive.
Poston had been drinking during the day and about the middle of the afternoon city marshal, Patsy Cahalan, placed him in the calaboose. While he was not apparently badly intoxicated he became noisy and ugly after being confined and as soon as the marshal left he proceeded to demolish every thing inside the jail. On taking him his supper about six o'clock the marshal discovered the condition of the jail. The cast iron stove was broken into small pieces, the stove pipe was torn down and mashed flat, the large coal box was broken into splinters, the water bucket destroyed and even the inside wooden window shutters were wrenched off and broken into splinters. Finding the calaboose in this condition the marshal searched the prisoner, fearing he might do further harm and leaving him his supper, locked the door and went up town for the purpose of making arrangements with the city officials to let him take Poston out for trial, or get permission to place him in the county jail over night. After being gone a short time and while on his way to the home of the city attorney, D. A. Rouner, the alarm of fire was given and being only about three blocks away and seeing the direction of the fire he learned at once that the calaboose was burning. He reached the building quickly but other persons were a few moments ahead of him and in their frantic efforts to rescue the imprisoned man the lock was battered until it was impossible for the marshal to get it open. Some one ran to a house near by for an ax and with a few blows the marshal knocked the lock off and pushed the door open. The flames burst out to a distance of fifteen or twenty feet and it was impossible to do anything to stop the fire until the arrival of the fire department with the pump and hose. Some hand fire extinguishers were used but they did no good.
Jas. Vaughn, who had rode into town horse back, was the first person to discover that the calaboose was on fire. He stopped at the Shumate livery barn and in getting off his horse with his face to the south he could see through the calaboose window that it was burning inside. On giving the alarm he learned that Poston was locked up in the burning building and with one or two others rushed to the door, and with a short piece of iron he picked up attempted to save the man by breaking the lock. Poston was still alive and called to Vaughn to get him out "for God's sake." Vaughn told him he would do his best and urged him to get near the window so he could get air. Poston called to them a time or two to hurry up, it was getting too hot and he couldn't stand it. A few seconds later he was heard to mourn "Oh my God!" and as he was seen through the windows to fall to the floor it was known he was dead. Only a slight glimpse of his body was seen through the flames as it lay in the raging fire, and notwithstanding a large crowd soon gathered all were powerless to do anything towards putting out the fire until the hand pump and hose were on the ground. Before their arrival the fire had gained considerable headway, but was soon extinguished. The charred body was placed in a box and taken to the council room, where an inquest was held the following morning before Justice McCullough, and the following verdict was returned by the jury:
"We the jury find that the deceased John Poston came to his death by burning in the city jail of Edina and the fire started on the inside of the jail building: origin of fire unknown."
The disaster was the most horryfying (sic) ever known here, but no blame is attached to the city marshal or any one else for the death of the unfortunate man. The fact that persons could be seen by Poston, and were easily within hearing distance, and yet he made no outcry, even after the fire had got a good start in the room, leads to the supposition that he might have started the fire with the intention of burning himself to death, and yet there are other reasons for believing that he made an attempt to burn the door so he might escape, and after starting the fire it got beyond his control. The fire evidently started at the door which was in the west end of the building and Poston's body was found east of the north window, hear the northeast corner of the room.
Citizens of Edina contributed funds to buy a coffin and the charred remains were buried Friday evening. One arm, one leg and the head were burned almost off and the body presented a sickening sight. The deceased was about 45 years of age and had been a drinking man for a number of years. He was very quarrelsome at times when drinking, but when sober was a hard worker, and made no trouble. He separated from his wife several years ago and his family has since lived at Canton.
The Edina Sentinel, Edina, Missouri, April 13, 1899
~~~~~~~
1860 United States Federal Census
Name: John W Posten
Age: 6
Birth Year: abt 1854
Gender: Male
Birth Place: Virginia
Home in 1860: Township 60 Range 19, Linn, Missouri
Post Office: Enterprise
Attended School: Yes
Household Members: Name Age
William Posten 39
Louisa Posten 34
Mary J Posten 18
Dallas Posten 16
Benjamin R Posten 14
Salina Posten 12
John W Posten 6
William L Posten 4
James M Posten 1
1870 Uninted States Federal Census
Name: John Poston
Age in 1870: 16
Birth Year: abt 1854
Birthplace: Virginia
Home in 1870: Center, Knox, Missouri
Gender: Male
Occupation: Farm Laborer
Attended School: Y
Household Members: Name Age
Charles Poston 8
William Poston 50
Louisa Poston 45
Mary Poston 27
Benjamin Poston 23
John Poston 16
Salina Poston 20
William Poston 14
James Poston 12
Elizabeth Poston 8
Virginia Poston 10
Florence Poston 6
Missouri, Marriage Records, 1805-2002
Name: John Poston
Marriage Date: 16 Jun 1878
Marriage Place: Knox, Missouri, USA
Spouse: Demaries Hanes
1880 United States Federal Census
Name: John W. Poston
Age: 28
Birth Date: Abt 1852
Birthplace: Virginia
Home in 1880: Edina, Knox, Missouri, USA
Race: White
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: Self (Head)
Marital Status: Widower
Spouse's Name: Demarious Poston
Father's Birthplace: Virginia
Mother's Birthplace: Virginia
Occupation: Runs An Engine
Household Members: Name Age
John W. Poston 28
Demarious Poston 25
Celestia R. Poston 1
Family Members
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