Saturday morning the citizens of Bartley were shocked to learn that J. Weeden, an eccentric but highly esteemed old gentleman was dead in his residence and had probably been dead for several days. It seems Postmaster Miller noticed he had not called for his mail since Wednesday preceding and as he was a regular visitor at the office each day, Mr. Miller became alarmed. He sought Will Lyman who lived adjoining to Mr. Weeden and he too had not seen the old gentleman for several days.

Mr. Miller and Mr. Lyman proceeded to the Weeden residence and upon investigation found the old gentleman dead in the bed in a badly decomposed condition. Coroner Harland was summoned and he with County Attorney, Eldred, drove down from McCook and held an inquest. It was found that he came to his death from natural causes.

Mr. Weeden was a well to do man but was very peculiar, preferring to live alone and in comparative seclusion. He has a brother who is an attorney in Chicago and a sister who lives in Kansas.

He was an old soldier and a member of James Laird Post, being its Chaplain, He was also a consistent and devout member of the M.E. church at this place. Burial took place in the Bartley cemetery.

McCook Republican, Friday 5 August 1904