The State vs. the Dead Body of Landrum Hopper

Date: 
August 17, 1882

Deceased

Landrum Hopper
Sex: 
Male
Race: 
White
COD Category: 
Accident
COD: 
Act of God
COD Method/Implement: 
lightning
COD Inquest Finding: 

upon their oaths do say that the said Landrum Hopper came to his death from the effects of a stroke lightning in the field of Truman S. Weber where he had been ploughing

Coroner

Coroner: 
H. G. Gaffney
Coroner Title: 
trial justice acting as coroner

Location

Inquest Location: 
at Truman S. Webber's
County: 
Spartanburg County, SC

Source

South Carolina Department of Archives & History
Columbia, SC
Inquest Images: 
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Transcription: 

Dr. J. N. Mendenhall sworn says they have examined the body of the deceased Landrum Hopper and find his head & breast discolored black & blue spots on them. Also find a burnt hole in the hat he wore. Examined the mule he was plowing & find his left ear scorched, eyes injured & unable to chew & taking into consideration these facts & other circumstances, I have no hesitancy in saying that the deceased came to his death by a stroke of lightning. J. N. Mendenhall, M.D.

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