Mystery Death of George Hatton Source for this article is the: "MUSCATINE JOURNAL", January 12, 1918, page 6. Foul Play is Hint In Death Of Geo. Hatton Mystery surrounds the death of George Hatton, former Muscatine man whose lifeless body was discovered in an alleyway in Rock Island on Thursday night. Reports from the Tri-Cities relative to his demise are vague. The authorities refuse to give out any information and many rumors are afloat there as to the cause of his death. It is expected that an inquest will be held to ascertain the circumstances. Physicians who were summoned to review the remains hold that death was due to dilation of the heart. It is admitted by them and by the authorities that dope might have been administered to the man who is reported to have had a considerable sum of money on his person. The dead man is a son of George Hatton, Sr. residing at 414 East Seventh street. He was married to Fannie Hays of Muscatine, from who he later was divorced. Five Children survive the union as well as a sister, Phoebe Tollefson. When the man was found he was but lightly attired and it is viewed as possible that he may have died from exposure. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Source for this article is the: "MUSCATINE JOURNAL", January 14, 1918, page 2. HATTON REMAINS BROUGHT HERE The remains of George Hatton, a former local man, who died suddenly on Thursday evening and whose lifeless body was found in an alleyway in Rock Island, arrived in Muscatine at 3:30 o'clock yesterday afternoon, and were removed to the Wittich undertaking parlors on Cedar street, Funeral services will be conducted from that place tomorrow afternoon, and interment will be made in the Greenwood cemetery, it is announced. Investigate Story Efforts are being made by Coroner Miller of Rock Island, to investigate stories circulated in Rock Island and this city, concerning the fact that Hatton had gone to Rock Island a little over a month ago, and that he had $2, 000 in cash, the proceeds of a sale of some real estate in this city. It was learned that when Hatton went to Rock Island he had about $300 in cash, and $1.97 of this sum was turned over to the coroner by Mrs. Woods where he roomed. and with whom he had deposited his money. All the cash he had on hand was in gold, there being nine $20 gold pieces it is stated. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Source for this article is the: "MUSCATINE JOURNAL", January 19, 1919, page 4. HATTEN DEATH DUE TO NATURAL CAUSE That George Hatton, Jr., the Muscatine man who was found dead in the snow in front of the Rock Island distributing company building in Rock Island, January 10, came to his death by a natural cause, is shown in the following report, of John G. Miller, coroner of Rock Island county. January 17, 1919 To Whom It May Concern: George Hatton, Jr., came to his death in the city of Rock Island, ILL., on January 10th, S. D. 1919. Deceased was found lying in the snow in front of the Rock Island distributing company building at 312 24th street between sidewalk and building. Deceased was carried by friends into Clyde Woods restaurant where he had been stopping and where Dr. Joseph Depitar was called at once, but he had passed away before the doctor arrived. I was then called and took charge of the body and had it removed to the undertaking parlors where I conducted an inquest on the evening of January 11. No marks of violence were found on the body of the deceased and the jury found that the deceased had come to his death as a result of acute dilation of the heart. (Signed) John G. Miller, coroner. Rock Island County. Note from June Brewer Welsch: George last name was Hatten and Fannie last name was Hayes but I found it spelt both ways. The Muscatine County marriage record said George W. Hatten and Fannie Hayes were married 22 June 1896 in Muscatine Iowa.