Fairfield Historical Society Folklore Quiz : Causes of Death

Six of the following seven causes of death are true based upon the notes Adelia Van Ness Collerd ( 1903 – 1984 ) recorded over the years. Of course death is not a funny matter, and Grandma Collerd would certainly not approve of this quiz, but it’s only a lead in to a story you probably never heard before.

So forgive the unintended irreverence, and guess which of the following was NOT actually a cause of death :

1.) Consumption of the bowels
2.) Kerosene lamp accident
3.) Drowned in Morris Canal
4.) Had fatal heart attack when Mother-in-law entered the home 5.) Gassed in hotel room overnight
6.) Gun went off when placing it in his duck hunting boat 7.) Struck by lightning while working in the cemetery

Make your guess than see the answers below :

1. 1.)  Consumption of the bowels – Sounds horrible but TRUE ( Google it )
2. 2.)  Kerosene lamp accident – Sounds even more horrible but TRUE
3. 3.)  Drowned in Morris Canal - TRUE
4. 4.)  Had fatal heart attack when Mother-in-law entered the home – Probably just a coincidence ( Grand Uncle Jean Morrison ) but TRUE
5. 5.)  Gassed in hotel room overnight – Investigators guessed the poor guy blew out a gas fired lamp thinking that it was a kerosene lamp. - TRUE
6. 6.)  Gun went off when placing it in his duck hunting boat. - TRUE
7. 7.)  Struck by lightning while working in the cemetery – FALSE ! Here’s what really happened. Adelia’s husband Morris Collerd ( my Grandfather ) was Fairfield Reformed Church Sexton for many years ( 1924 – 1958 ). Over this time Morris recalled three lightning strikes to the Churches steeple. Three, that’s once every 11 years !
   The second was about 1940 while Morris was working in the cemetery. Morris went up into the belfry to make sure that there were no burning embers and inspect the damage. To his surprise, and the Churches good fortune, he discovered a ‘burning rag on a stick’. Had he not been working there that day, the beautiful 136 year old edifice could have been completely destroyed. Thank God, right ?
   Hope you found this Fairfield Folklore story somewhat entertaining. ( Sorry Grandma, ‘you know who’ made me do it ! )
   

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...............Paul Pollio October 8, 2018 
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