Found Dead In A Field

A Veteran of the Civil War Dies of Heart Disease

The body of James Degan, an old resident of Eatontown, was found in the field adjoining Matthew Byrnes's house about five o'clock on Sunday afternoon. The body was found by Lewis Tuttle. Mr. Degan was seen in Eatontown about an hour previous to the finding of his body. He was then apparently in his usual health and he spoke to several persons.

Mr. Degan was 74 year old and was born in Ireland. At the age of 24 years he came to this country and settled in New York. Five years later he moved to Eatontown, where he had since lived. He served in the Union army during the civil war. He wife died about fifteen years ago. Two children, a son and a daughter, survive him. They are grown up, and lived with their father.

There was a horse in the field where the body was found, and it was first supposed that Degan had been kicked by the horse, but there were no marks on the body. Dr. W. U. Kurtz and Deputy Coroner Charles Breese viewed the body and they said that death was due to heart disease. The funeral will be held to-morrow afternoon tat two o'clock from his late home.

Source: Red Bank Register, Wednesday, August 10, 1898