From: KyArchives [Archives@genrecords.org] Sent: Thursday, August 25, 2005 8:13 AM To: Ky-Footsteps Subject: Dan'l.Decker.Starved.To.Death,.Verdict.Of.The.Coroner's.Jury.1934.Edmons on.NEWS Dan'l Decker Starved To Death, Verdict Of The Coroner's Jury October 4, 1934 Edmonson County KyArchives News The Edmonson County News October 4, 1934 "Them as Has Gits - Them as Ain't Don't Git Ary" That statement is distinctly Edmonson Countian and in too many instances it fittingly describes "relief" in this county as it is and as it ain't. That we should not go off half-cocked, The News has bee making some investigations of our own and the more we investigate the more convinced are we that "them as has gits---them as ain't don't git ary." Here's just a few cases: Down in the Durbin section is one of the big beneficiaries of the corn- hog reduction program, (name on request). His check for NOT raising hogs and corn this year will amount to $273.26 according to records on file with the government agencies. This record shows that he cultivated 80 acres of corn in 1932; 60 acres in 1933. He now has an estimated corn crop of 1,500 bushels. Yet this man until very recently was on the RELIEF ROLLS, one day a week, just the same as the man who own nothing, has little, if any, food and no decent clothing. His family has received Red Cross clothing and (Page Torn) (Page Torn) "ain't got ary and gits nary." One home visitor called and gave her an order for $1 food and 25 cents medicine. According to neighbors that is ALL she has ever received "from the relief." *********** Right in the same section is a prominent man we can name who owns a good farm, 4 mules, 1 horse, cows, hogs and other stock, has a check coming to him for about $170 for reducing corn-hog production. Another man, it is reliably stated, is the same neighborhood owns a half interest in a mail route and get a check from the government every month. BOTH are regularly on "work relief." Jody Hays, of the same section, owns a patchwork house located on an acre of land. He owns four acres nearby. Tuesday he had a wife and nine children at home. The tenth child was expected that day and doubtless has arrived by now. He has been "on and off" relief----mostly off. He is "off" now, or was Tuesday. ************** Last Friday Elbert Smith and his good wife who live in the Forks country, came to town to learn why they had been dropped from the relief rolls. Elbert, a son of Uncle Billy Frank Smith, as fine a man as ever lived, is all bent and twisted from rheumatism. He gets around with the aid of two short sticks. He cannot even stand erect. Well, they learned that "somebody" had reported that Elbert had employment as deputy tax commissioner. He was slated for that job but when time came to take up the work his physical condition was such that he could not do the travelling required. The Tax Commissioner insisted that Elbert or his wife take the lists in his neighborhood. They complied and THAT was the reason Mrs. Smith, who had been given "work relief" and "commodities," was dropped from the relief rolls. And right here let us interject is found the reason that men and women on relief rolls will not accept other employment, if it be only temporary. They know that somebody will run to the relief office and report that they are working and that they will be dropped "from the relief." That is why PAUPERS are being created by the score. Instead of being encouraged to take additional work to supplement the pitiful sum of $1.80 doled out to them weekly, the have cause to fear that the regular stipend will be stopped if they accept other employment. No chance whatever for a family in that condition to EVER become self-sustaining. And then up in the Forks country there is Claud Clark, a good citizen, who has a wife and five children. Never received any relief funds, neighbors say. Last week they sold their last chicken to get money to buy a few groceries. Claud has earned a few dimes by making rustic chairs with a pocket knife. **************** Turley Meredith testified that before death passage from Decker's bowels consisted of whole grains of hard corn. HAD "PLENTY" SAYS WILCOX The Herald-Post Thursday morning quoted Thornton Wilcox, State relief administrator, as saying that the Daniel Decker case "was investigated" and that representatives of the relief administration had secured statements that Decker was well supplied with food, and did not die of starvation." Wilcox's statement was based on a report sent in by the local relief office, which is said to have included a statement from the widow that the family had plenty to eat and good clothing, including an extra "Sunday" suit for each. This is not only contradicted by Mrs. Decker's sworn testimony at the trial but also the statements of those who buried Decker that the body was buried in shirt sleeves as no coat of any kind was available. It is safe to say that burying a man's body without a coat is without precedent in Edmonson County. Bernard Anderson is quoted as saying that the house, though formerly used for a corn crib, had been made "comfortable," and that as far as he knew, the couple had plenty to eat. Anderson was on the coroner's jury and wrote the verdict. A statement from Dr. D. D. Cornwell to the effect that he treated Decker in 1931, diagnosing the case as epilepsy. County Attorney Truman Demunbrun's written statement relates that he knew none of the facts but expressed the belief that "no one in Edmonson County ever did and never will die of starvation, relief or no relief." This morning, Thursday, the County Attorney informed The News that he had been requested to recommend that the coroner's inquest be reopened for further proof. "CASE RECORD" The "case record" of Daniel Decker as it stands in the Edmonson County Relief Office is as follows: Jan. 12, 1933---Applied for work Jan. 12, to Nov 18, 1933 received $28 for work Dec 12, 1933 to March 21, 1934, received $18 in direct relief Reapplied April 13, 1934 and received $4.80, April 13 to May 24. May 10, 1934, Home visitor reported "old and unable to work" Dropped from all relief June 8 Aug. 21---Applied for work Aug. 28---Home visitor recommended $5.40 work The records show $4.80 in money and 4 cans beef given Decker in September. ************** Too Proud To Beg, Daniel Decker Starved To Death, Neighbors Say Denied "relief" but too proud to beg and even hesitant to "borrow", Daniel Decker, about 60 years old, died Tuesday night, September 25 from what responsible neighbors unhesitating declare was starvation. Decker and his wife had been living in an old corn crib on the farm of B. B. Anderson. Previously they resided in a cellar on the Gross place. The "house" where he died was constructed out of cross tie straps. There was no window. A worn and broken iron "step stove" provided heat and was used for cooking when there was anything to cook. A bed made of grass sacks and corn shucks was the other principal item of "furniture." A personal investigation made by the editor of The News with Mr. Gabe Vincent as "guide" revealed the following facts: Mr. Anderson, a man whose word is accepted and his opinions respected by every man in Edmonson county who knows him or by reputation, said that Decker had been dropped from the relief rolls several months ago. Mr. Anderson had hired conveyance and brought Decker to the relief office in Brownsville and made an appeal that the aged and indigent man be restored to the rolls. The result was a promise to "look into the case." About three weeks ago, we are informed from other sources a home visitor visited the humble shack and instructed Decker to go to road project at Sunfish. The old man hired conveyance to Sunfish. When he got there he found that his name was not on the work rolls and he had no card instructing anybody to put him on. He was advised that he would not be paid if he did work without proper authority. Esq. Jim Lashley remembers well Decker's appearance. He says he never saw more downcast, dejected looking human. He was clothed in tattered rags; his body emaciated. Anyway, Decker came to Brownsville Monday, September 24, and was given four cans of beef being distributed to all those on relief rolls. A nephew, who was present, said the old fellow opened a can of the beef and ate greedily of it. There was no bread. Decker then went to the farm of Turley Meredith, son in law of Anderson, and cut corn all day. He refused dinner at the Meredith home, as he was feeling bad. At six o'clock that night he stumbled to the corn crib home and fell across the threshold, utterly exhausted. He managed to crawl inside but again fell to the floor and was soon suffering horrible agony. Mr. Anderson, Porter Sanders and other neighbors were summoned and gave such aid as was in their power, but at 10 o'clock the old fellow was dead. Before death he vomited great quantities of the canned beef. Within a short time after death Decker's body began swelling. By morning decomposition set in and it was necessary to hasten the burial. A coffin was fashioned out of rough boards. There was no burial shroud to be had. There was no coat on the corpse to give appearance of comfort as it was lowered to the grave where all men are supposed to be equal. Bernard Anderson will tell any investigator who wants to investigate rather than "whitewash" that he is firmly convinced that Daniel Decker starved to death. He is supported in that belief by Porter Sanders, Hobart Meredith and others who had opportunity to know the circumstances. Mr. Anderson said Decker was proud despite his poverty. He was never known to ask for aid. His wistful look was the only discernible appeal. Mr. Anderson said he had given Decker corn frequently. He had endeavored to "look after the man and his aged wife. Several times last winter when it was bitter cold, Mr. Anderson went to the corn-crib home fearing he would find the occupants frozen to death. The Louisville Herald-Post quotes the relief administrator of Edmonson county saying that Decker had been given four days work on relief projects; that he had been paid $3.60 during September and that $1.80 was due him when he died. The relief office has also issued statements that Decker was subject to "spells" caused by indigestion. That is as far as the "alibi" can be extended. The reliefeteers say that Daniel Decker, who neighbors say starved to death, had long been a sufferer from indigestion. Perhaps that explains why Daniel was dropped from the relief rolls----food was considered bad for his digestion. * * * * A good friend of The News reports overhearing a law enforcement officer say that "the next" time The News editor is seen drunk on the streets of Brownsville he will be arrested and locked up. Why wait for "the next" time? Why not procure a warranty for the LAST offense? ********* Also we learn that guarded inquires have been made about the number of dogs The News editor has "hid away" at his home. Why not search the old place? We will waive our constitutional right to demand a search warrant. If there are any dogs under our house, bring 'em out. They will be needing air, anyway. * * * * * Judge Houchin told the Fiscal Court Tuesday that The News had been making "personal attacks" on somebody. We challenge any person to point to any personal attack we have made on anybody. Our files are open for any investigation. We have, and will continue, to raise a protest against lack of law enforcement but there is a vast difference between criticizing a private individual and calling attention to a public officials acts. If we publish a libel we are amenable to the laws of the state which provide a serve penalty. * * * * * If Daniel Decker and his wife had "good clothing for every day wear, each had a 'Sunday suit', as was reported to the Louisville Relief headquarters, why was it that there was no coat of any kind to cover his cold lifeless body when it was buried in the "cold, cold ground." * * * * * Page Robert Emmett Lynch! An Edmonson county man has been dropped from the relief rolls because he was accused of running around with "another woman!" Submitted by: Charles Finn http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00003.html#0000539 This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/kyfiles/