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Old Soldier Answers Taps

Abraham Anderson [Thompson], about 80 years of age, an old soldier, was found dead at his home last evening about 7:30 by Officers Steiner and Doyle

Acting on a call from Gil Witney that Mr. Anderson had not been seen around for two days, the two officers went to his home at 136 Center street, and on entering the hose found him lying on the floor partly under the bed with indications that he had been dead a couple of days.

He had lived here for years and worked at the carpenter trade for Klinler and others, and owned the little cottage where he died.

He is said to have a niece somewhere in the middle west.

After finding the body, Steiner called the coroner, and with Chief of Police Kaler went to the house and the body was take to the Zeiber [Pacific] undertaking parlors and an inquest will be held on Monday at 11 o'clock.

On entering the house everything was found in order and the little cottage was a picture of neatness with everything well kept indicating he was a man who took a great deal of pride in appearances.

Last week he told one of the neighbors that he was suffering with rheumatism. He had many friends here and was of a cheerful disposition.

Santa Cruz Sentinel (October 7, 1925)

Heart Disease Cause of Death

The inquest over Abraham Thompson, found dead in his home on Cedar street, was held yesterday morning by the coroner, Dr. W.R. Congden at the Pacific Undertaking parlors, the verdict being that he was about 82 years of age and death was from valvular heart disease. The jurors were Z.T. Croop, S.R. Combs, J.H. Hardin, F.W. Baldwin, R. Moore, G. A. Hannold and Sam Bachelder.

Gilbert Whitney testified he last saw the deceased alive on Oct. 1. Mr. Witney asked if he could take him home, and he said, No, that his rheumatism was bothering him and he would walk it off. The witness often had Thompson at his house, as Thompson seemed lonely.

Witney did not see him Friday or Saturday. One of the neighbors said he had not seen him, so the witness went to the house and shook the door. Knowing the key was in the door, he called a policeman, and his key was shoved out with a pass key.

He was lying on the floor, had evidently been in bed, got up and fallen. He was dressed in his underwear.

Albert Metzler last saw the deceased about Oct. 1. That deceased had a niece in Michigan who wanted to come out, build a little cottage and live with him. He said nothing about his affairs. Only once he mentioned that most of his family died of tuberculosis. He was a cabinet maker about 10 or 15 years ago.

Date of Birth: 1843

Date of Death: 1925-01-010

County: US/MI

Cemetery/City of Burial: Muskegan, MI

Mortuary: PCU

Cause of Death: Hrt/Related

Occupation: Cabinet Maker

Local Address: Cedar 136

Last City: Santa Cruz

Native of: MI

Military Notes: N/R (Multiple Similar Names)

GAR#: N/R

Available records used to obtain information:
Cemetery records
Santa Cruz County death records
Military records
Santa Cruz and Monterey newspapers
Voter Records

CW Reference: SEN 1925/10/04