March 25, 1902: One-legged Elderly Cane Maker Succumbs

By Margaret Leidy Harner from her book One Day at a Time: A Social History of Boyertown, PA.

March 25, 1902: Edward Keiser, a one-legged man about 70 years old, asked for permission to sleep in the barn of Squire M.M. Mathias in Shanesville last night, and he and another tramp shared the quarters.

This morning, the other man informed the family that Keiser had been very sick during the night and they should look in on him. Upon doing so, they found Keiser dead. The Coroner empaneled a jury, who found that Keiser had died of natural causes, as he had complained of a severe cold before retiring.

He had $28 in his possession. He was easily recognized throughout the vicinity, moving around with ease on his crutches. His winters were always spent in Philadelphia and the rest of the year, he tramped through the countryside making canes.

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