Edward Simon Renwick

Asphyxiation Caused Death Ed. Van Dusen.

Verdict At Inquest

Member of Well Known Pioneer Family Here, Who Had Disappeared For A Week, Is Found By A Neighbor Dead at His Home on East Sycamore Street

"Accidental death by asphyxiation caused from breathing illuminating gas escaping from a kitchen stove," was the verdict rendered by a coroner's jury yesterday, Monday, afternoon in Kebil's undertaking parlors after an investigation was made into the death of Edward Van Dusen of Sycamore.

Van Dusen, all his life a resident of this community, was found lying on the kitchen floor of his home on East Sycamore street at 10 a.m. Sunday by Arthur Eddy, a neighbor. An examination revealed that he had been dead for over a week. His pet cat was also found was also found lifeless on a bed in an adjoining room.

Gas Jet Was Found Open

Theories of suicide, murder and death from poison liquor were abandoned, after a gas jet was found open on a small stove placed on a shelf directly above the spot where the body was found. All gas had been discharged from the meter, a prepaid type of mechanism, and the control valve had automatically closed, it was found in an investigation late Monday morning. This was the reason advanced for the lack of an odor of gas in the house when the body was found. Seven persons took the witness stand at the inquest.

The first was Arthur Eddy, a next door neighbor who discovered the body. He stated that he had not seen Van Dusen since a week ago Sunday, and that thinking he might be sick, went to the home. He found the back door open, the rest of the house closed. He saw the body on the kitchen floor. A minute examination revealed to him that the body was lifeless. Deputy Sheriff Fritz Dolder was summoned.

Testimony of Deputy Sheriff Dolder

Dolder testified that with the exception of a small cut upon the forehead no other marks of violence could be found. The room was in good order, and from all indications death had come quickly and unexpectedly. It appeared that the man had died with acute pain registered on his face with his right hand clutching at his stomach, the deputy stated.

Soon after the arrival of Deputy Dolder, William Van Dusen, living two miles north of Sycamore and who had associated with the deceased practically all his life, was notified. A search was made for any personal papers, but none was found. Edward Van Dusen is a nephew of William Van Dusen, the latter stated. Van Du- (continued on Page Six) sen stated that he had never known his nephew to be despondent or temperamental.

That Can Dusen was in perfect health and in good spirits was brought out in testimony of Harry Adgate, also a neighbor of the deceased, who stated that Van Dusen and himself had gone hunting two weeks ago. In all respects Van Dusen showed no signs of despondency, Adgate stated.

Following an examination, C. V. Kebil, the undertaker, testified that he believed death had come as the result of asphyxiation. Testimony of Gas Co. Head.

G. L. Sims, manager of the Illinois Northern Utilities company of DeKalb, stated on the stand that a new gas meter had been installed in the Van Dusen home on the Friday prior to the discovery of the body. He introduced W. C. Taylor of Sycamore, fitter for the gas company, who installed the new meter. Tayror said he entered the house Friday through the basement door after finding no response to his knocking. He noticed no odor of gas and removed the meter without hearing any noise in the house. He stated that every meter of the prepaid type was changed every five years for tests. There was no gas in the old meter when removed; and no gas from the new meter had been used, it was revealed in the investigation yesterday.

Edward Simon Renwick was the son of W. E. Renwick of Elgin and was born in December, 1888, on a farm near Sycamore. A few hours after his birth his mother died and he was taken by his mother's brother, William Van Dusen. He assumed the name of Van Dusen in later life.

He was twice married. His first wife survives, and his second wife died four years ago. He is survived by his father and three half-brothers, R. L. Renwick of Niles, Mich., Percy I. Renwick of Chicago and Floyd F. Renwick of Oak Park.

Funeral services will be held at 2 o'clock p.m. Wednesday in the Methodist church in Sycamore, Rev. Charles Kelley officiating. The interment will be in Charter Grove cemetery.

Source: Dead A Week On Kitchen Floor, in Sycamore, DeKalb, Illinois, United States. True Republican, Page 1 & 6, 20 Nov 1929, Secondary Quality.