J. P. Richardson's Death Certificate
The body of Jiles P. Richardson was clothed in a red checked flannel shirt and light blue cotton pants. There was no jacket or overcoat on the body. In one hip pocket of his trousers was a billfold containing his name and other identifying information. The head was badly mangled and misshapen. The skull was split open transversely at the supraorbital ridge and at the vertex. The brain was almost completely eviscerated. The face was flattened and crushed on the right side and not identifiable. There were several deforming fractures of both arms. Across the middle phalanx of the second left finger was a laceration. On the right thigh, extensor surface, was a laceration 8 inches long, while further down on the leg was a large defect including a compound fracture. The left upper medial thigh had a transverse laceration 8 inches long, while the left mid-tibial region showed a small laceration at the site of a compound fracture; The consistency of the chest was soft due to extensive crushing of the bony structure. Internal injuries were not appraised because autopsy was not done. Personal effects found with the body are listed on a separate sheet with this report. Fingerprints were taken of the deceased for purposes of identification.
(See attached report of investigation)
A copy of the transcript of fees has been sent to the County Auditor. A copy of this report is filed with the Clerk of the District Court. A copy of each is filed or recorded in the Coroner's Docket.
I, Ralph E. Smiley MD Acting, Coroner of Cerro Gordo County Iowa on the 4th day of Feb., 1959, hereby certify that the above facts are made of record after diligent investigation and I believe them to be correct.
[Signed] Ralph E. Smiley, MD, Coroner.
Personal effects, Jiles P. Richardson
Cash $272.53, less coroner's fees of $11.65 - $260.88
1 gold wedding ring
1 small gold colored flat key
1 pair dice
1 guitar pick
1 black billfold containing numerous miscellaneous receipts, cards,
Texas' driver's license, musician's identification cards.
To G. W. Wilcox, Wilcox Funeral Home, 2/4/59.