Death of Rev. Jeremiah Walker
July 7, 1900

A Chillicothe Gazette article detailed the events of Jeremiah Walker's death at a train station.

DROPPED DEAD ON THE FLOOR

Rev. Jeremiah W. Walker, a Colored Minister of the Gospel, Suddenly Called. 

WHILE BUYING A TICKET

At the B. & O. S.-W. Depot for McArthur, the Fatal Summons Came Without Warning. 

            That death stalks everywhere and that life frequently ends without a moment’s warning, was again exemplified at the B. & O. S.-W. depot this morning, when the Rev. Jeremiah W. Walker, a colored minister, dropped dead at the ticket office while in the act of purchasing a ticket. 

            He arrived form the south on the N. and W train which was running a little behind time. He wanted to go east on the B. & O. S.-W. and as the train was waiting he ran to the ticket office in a hurry to secure transportation. He presented his preacher’s certificate, calling for a special rate and applied for a ticket to McArthur Junction. Before it could be delivered to him he fell back on the floor directly in front of the ticket window and without uttering a word, expired inside of five minutes. 

            Dr. W. A. Hall answered a hurry call, but when he arrived life was extinct. His death was caused either by apoplexy of heart disease and in this case it was hard to distinguish which. The attack was brought on undoubtedly by the over excitement attendant upon his hurry to avoid missing the train which was to carry him to some point where he doubtless had a Sunday engagement. 

            It was some time before he was recognized, though a number said they had frequently seen him at the depot. He was at last identified by some one as Rev. Walker, whose home is in Pike county in the vicinity of Sharonville. 

            The body was removed by Fenton & Lowery to their establishment after the arrival of Coroner Smith, who has charge of the dead man’s effects. He had a telescope in which there were a few small articles of wearing apparel and a long, black coat, such as ministers sometimes wear, an umbrella, $1.32 in cash, a silver watch, a small bottle containing some kind of a strong essence, and a pass book. 

            His mileage book showed that he was from Lynn P.O., Pike county, near the Jackson county line. As this place could not be reached by “phone,” the undertaker at Waverly was instructed by telegraph to go to Lynn and inform his family, if he had one, of the sad occurrence and get their instructions as to the disposition of the body. If he has no family, and friends do not appear within 36 hours, the interment will take place in this city. The deceased is five feet tall and is a remarkably fine specimen of physical manhood. 

SOURCES

“Dropped Dead on the Floor,” Chillicothe Gazette (Chillicothe, Ohio), July, 7, 1900.