----Source: Thorp Courier (Thorp, Clark County, Wis.) 04/29/1897

Glasshoff, Peter (1843? - 22 Apr 1897)

Peter Glasshoff, a well known farmer of the town of Worden, Clark County, Wis., was found dead in the ditch beside the railroad track about two and one-half miles west of the village on Thursday morning last by William Welch of this village. Mr. Glasshoff has for several years past been in the habit of drinking quite heavily and when full of liquor always abused his wife and children almost beyond endurance, in consequence of which, the saloon-keepers of this village have for a long time been forbidden to sell him liquor. Finding it always troublesome to secure liquor here he had on several occasions past visited the neighboring village of Stanley for that purpose and did the same thing on Wednesday afternoon of last week, starting on his return from that village at about seven o'clock in the evening by walking on the railroad track, and had nearly reached the end of his journey when he met his death, the manner of which is still an unraveled mystery and will probably always remain such. When found he was about twelve feet from the track in a pond of water about two feet deep, in a sitting position, his back supported by a floating cross tie, his head thrown forward but out of the water, the balance of his body being submerged. On the bank about four feet distant was a quart bottle of whiskey about half empty with cork drawn. His pockets contained about 75 cents change. The body was brought to the engine house in this village and Justice Thomas Murphy summoned a jury to ascertain if possible, the manner of his death. Dr. McCutcheon and McKittrick held a post mortem examination, which revealed but little, the general belief being that exposure while in the water was the principal cause of death. The only injury found on or about the body was a broken left arm between the elbow and shoulder. The theory that he was drowned was also dispelled as a result of the examination and all internal organs were found to be in a sound and healthy condition. Mr. Glasshoff was fifty-three eyars of age and apparently in the prime of life, a very powerful man and always in robust health. He moved here from Calumet Co., Wis. in 1883, and leaves a widow and thirteen children. He was an army veteran but not a member of the local G.A.R. Post. The remains were interred in the Thorp Village Cemetery on Sunday afternoon last, the services being conducted by Rev. L. Speers of the M. E. Church, six old army veterans acting as pallbearers.