Sherwood Earl
1845-May 2,1888
Niles Democrat, Saturday, May 5, 1888, page 3, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library
Death of Sherwood Earl
Sherwood Earl of Niles, while crossing the Jefferson street bridge, in this city this morning between 7 and 8 o'clock, bearing a bundle of wooden slats upon his back, when near the east end of the bridge, suddenly let fall his bundle, sat down upon it, leaned over against the bridge railing gave a few gasps and was dead. George Haasse and James Rogan who were not far distant and saw the man's singular actions hastened to his side and raised him up, but he was past all human help, as life was extinct. Marshall Turnock and Coroner Montgomery were notified and the body was removed to the residence of John Durst, just east of the bridge. Subsequently it was taken to the residence of Noah Smith, 412 north Hill street, where the deceased had made his home for a short time.
Earl came here from Niles a few days ago and asked to stay with the Smith family while he was waiting for a job of work to open for him at Mishawaka. Meantime he was engaged by Mr. Smith to build a chicken park, and he was in the act of bearing material for this from the Hodson & Stanfield Works on the west race to the Smith place when overtaken by swift death on the bridge. His relatives in Niles have been notified of the sad event and came here this afternoon to claim the body and take it home with them.
Earl was an old resident of Niles and was about 45 years of age. He served in the late war as a member of Company E. 12th Michigan infantry. He was unmarried and leaves two sisters in Niles, Mrs. Wm. McDonald and Mrs. W.W, Fowler.
Earl's death was undoubtedly the result of heart disease, with which he had been troubled for some time. He complained yesterday of severe pains in the chest and stomach. He was a carpenter by trade and worked a great deal in this city. --South Bend Tribune.
Niles Democrat, Saturday, May 5, 1888, page 5, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library
The remains of Sherwood L. Earl, were brought here on Wednesday, and taken to the residence of his sister Mrs. Wm. McDonald, from whence the funeral was attended on Thursday.