THE VERDICT
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An inquisition taken for the peopleOf the State of Illinois here at LeRoy,County aforesaid, on the 7th of August,Anna Domini, nineteen hundred nineteen,Before me, William Merival, coronerFor the said County, viewing here the bodyOf Elenor Murray lying dead, uponThe oath of six good lawful men, the sameOf the said County, being duly swornTo inquire for the said people into allThe circumstances of her death, the saidElenor Murray, and by whom the sameWas brought about, and in what manner, when,And where she came to death, do say uponTheir oaths, that Elenor Murray lying deadIn the office of the coroner at LeRoyCame to her death on August 7th aforesaidUpon the east shore of the Illinois RiverA mile above Starved Rock, from syncope,While in the company of Barrett Bays,Who held her in his arms when she was seized,And should have laid her down when she was seizedTo give her heart a chance to resume its beat." * * * * * The jury signed the verdict and aroseAnd said good-night to Merival, went their way.Next day the coroner went to MadisonTo look on Arielle, who had written him.
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