Alex R. Coryell

EVENING CHRONICLE

Virginia City, Nev.

June 25, 1891

DEATH OF ALEX CORYELL

A Brave Officer Falls in the Discharge of Duty

Over Exertion While Arresting a Drunken Brute Hastens His Death – His History on the Coast – A Pioneer.

This morning about 1 o’clock A. R. Coryell, a special officer for the Third and Fourth Wards, fell dead in front of Mooney’s stable on B Street. He and Officer Williams had just succeeded in locking up Dan Connors, who had offered violent resistance.

During the evening Dan Connors, a late arrival who is working in the Justice, had made himself obnoxious in several down-town saloons, later was found asleep on the sidewalk in front of Cole’s drug store by Officer Williams and Coryell, who attempted to take him to jail. On being awakened from his drunken stupor, Connors offered violent resistance to the officers, who finally clapped handcuffs on the prisoner.

Before proceeding more than thirty steps in the direction of the jail Connors struck Coryell on the nose with his handcuffed hands, inflicting a wound from which the blood flowed freely. After a hard struggle the officers lodged the obstreperous individual in jail.

After seeing Connors lodged in jail by Deputy Sheriff Jon Blakeley, who was woke up for the purpose, the two officers started up B street talking of the struggle, when, as they reached the corner of Mooney’s stable, Coryell threw up his arms and fell backwards on the sidewalk dead.

He neither spoke or moved after his fall, nor did he speak or groan while falling. His companion stopped and asked him what was the matter, and receiving no reply, ran to the Courthouse for water, thinking he had fallen in a faint. Returning almost immediately, accompanied by Deputy Sheriff Bleakley, they found that he was dead.

It was said that Coryell was subject to quinsy of the throat from enlarged tonsils, which during great physical exertion or undue excitement was liable to result fatally. In fact, it is said that his life has been prolonged several times by the prompt action of different parties aware of his aliment. The black and blue condition of the body at the back of the neck no doubt suggests the cause of death. Drs. Harris and Webber were of the opinion that death was caused from the rupture of a blood vessel from great physical exertion.

An inquest was held this afternoon before ex-officio Coroner Cook, and the jury upon the evidence given by Dr. Harris, without an autopsy being held, rendered a verdict that the cause of death was heart complaint.

Deceased was born at Coryell’s Ferry on the Schuykill River, Pennsylvania, December 31, 1831, therefore was 59 years and six months of age…

Plaque Location & Image

Center Wall Column 4 Row A     View The Plaque