The Perry County Advocate, Friday 3 December 1937 Page 1 Samuel Thomas Found Dead Found Hanging Across Fence Dead From Exposure Samuel Thomas, aged 45, was found dead in the front yard of his home about two miles southeast of Cutler Sunday morning. Two motorists whose car had broken down near the stack where Thomas lived approached the place to ask for help. As they neared the stack they observed what appeared to be the body of a man hanging over a fence. Fearing the man had met with foul play the strangers went to a nearby far to phone the authorities in Cutler. Later examination of the body failed to show any marks to indicate he had been attacked and killed. At the inquest which Corner F. J. Schleper held Sunday afternoon information was brought out that Thomas who was said to have been drinking heavily Saturday night, left Cutler to walk to his home about 2 o'clock Sunday morning. The jury rendered a verdict of death from exposure. Thomas was a bachelor and for years had occupied the shanty where his body was found. He had been employed in the Cutler mine in other years. The body was taken to the Earns Undertaking home at Soulterville to be prepared for interment which was made in the Swanwick cemetery. * * * * * The Perry County Advocate, Friday 3 December 1937 Page 1 Death of Aged Couple Shrouded in Mystery On last Monday after, Abner (Arthur Alva) Luke and wife each about 65, were found dead in a field of weeds on the Ed Hincke farm near Pinckneyville. The couple had been missing from their home near where they were found, since Saturday afternoon. According to the testimony of one witness, they were seen crossing the field late on Saturday afternoon, apparently in an intoxicated condition. According to another, they went to the home of William Ginn with a good supply of beer and whiskey and had a hearty supper of backbone and potatoes and all had plenty to drink. That seems to be about the last known about them until late Monday afternoon. When the bodies were found they were both without shoes and that raised several questions. Mr. Ginn discovered the shoes and took them to the tavern of Logan Rice. Upon being questioned, it appeared that Mr. Ginn was too much under the influence of liquor to know just what did happen on Saturday night after supper, as he fell asleep. A post mortem was held on Wednesday afternoon and Coroner Schleper held an inquest on Wednesday night at the Pyatt-Horner Funeral Home. Some of the evidence indicated foul play and that they were placed in the field by some one, and others think that in an intoxicated condition they started to go home, finally got lost and fell down and died of exposure. It will be remembered that on Saturday night the weather was cold and stormy. No arrests have been made but officers are still working on the case. * * * * * Unknown St. Louis newspaper ST. LOUIS AID SOUGHT TO SOLVE SLAYING IN ILLINOIS DUQUOIN, ILL., Dec. 2.-(U. P.)-St. Louis authorities were asked to aid in seeking a solution to the mysterious deaths of Abe (Arthur Alva) Luke, 62 and his wife, Martha, 65, who were found by hunters Tuesday night in a field a half mile east of Pinckneyville. Corner Schleper said it was indicated they were strangled to death. * * * * * Unknown St. Louis newspaper Death of Illinois Couple a Mystery PINCKNEYVILLE, Ill., Dec. 2, --(AP)-Examination of the bodies of Mr. and Mrs. Abner (Arthur Alva) Luke has failed to disclosed any indication of the cause of their deaths. A coroner's jury returned a verdict that the farmer and his wife, both 65, came to their deaths from causes unknown. Tests were being made to determine whether they could have been poisoned. The bodies, shoes and stockings removed, were found in a field half a mile from their home. Contributed by: Pamela Return to INDEX, Perry County