grave import

Obituary

Gas escaping from an accidentally opened valve on a gas stove caused the death yesterday morning of Thomas Bice, 67, in his rooms at 1119 Vine Street. Following an investigation made by Coroner Prugh and police, it was announced that the man’s death had occurred by accidental asphyxiation.
Bice’s body was seen through the glass in the door lying upon the floor in the small kitchen of his three-room apartment at the Dankwardt home by Mrs. Dankwardt’s brother, who passed the room about 7:15. Police were notified and Captain Fred Machholz with Officer Joe Baird went to the Dankwardt home.
Officers were unable to gain entrance to the rooms thru the door and his head against the opposite wall of the small room, making it impossible to open the door. Entrance was then made thru an outside window and an examination made by the police captain revealed that Bice had been dead only a short time. Coroner Prugh was then called to take charge of the body.
His body was fully clothed with the exception of the feet and a pair of house slippers found near the body.
It is believed that Bice in preparing to go to work, had brushed past the small gas stove and accidentally opened one of the valves. All valves on the stove were tightly closed with the exception of the loose valve which was found about two-thirds open, and officers declare that the valve opened and closed extremely easy, supporting the belief that it was jarred open.
Mr. Bice was an employee of the Iowa Coal company and had lived in Burlington for about 25 years. He was born near Peoria, Ill. His wife preceded him in death about two years ago and he is survived by two step-sons, Roy Hazen of Burlington and Alvia Hazen of Davenport; one step-daughter, Mrs. George Pounders of Burlington; two brothers of near Peoria, and relatives in Kansas City.
His body was taken to Prugh’s chapel to await the completion of funeral arrangements.
Funeral services were held at Prugh’s chapel at 2 o’clock March 2, 1928. Burial was at Aspen Grove Cemetery.