Extracted from The News-Star (Monroe, LA)
Wednesday, March 8, 1933

HENRY DALTON, ILL SHORT TIME, DIES WEDNESDAY

Autopsy To Determine Cause Of His Death To Be Performed

W. Henry “Preacher” Dalton, aged 60, died at his home, 704 Oak street, Wednesday morning after an illness of several days. In order to determine the actual cause of death, an autopsy is to be performed late Wednesday. It was stated that some months ago, in an altercation, Dalton was hit on the head and a severe injury inflicted. The autopsy is to be conducted to determine as to what bearing this injury had on his death.

Dalton had had a decidedly colorful career. He was born in England and served in the British navy for many years in young manhood and before coming to America.

It was said that at one time he became much interested in the work of the Salvation Army and it was through this connection that he became known as “Preacher” Dalton, by which name he was best known in Monroe. However, he and the Army parted company years ago and for some years he operated as motorman a street car of the Monroe Municipal street railway.

For the last several years, since leaving the employ of the street railway, he was said not to have had regular work.

Surviving are his widow and a number of children.

Funeral plans were incomplete Wednesday noon.
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Extracted from The News-Star (Monroe, LA)
Thursday, March 9, 1933

BLOW REPORTED CAUSE OF DEATH OF W. H. DALTON

Autopsy Is Performed For Family By Two Local Physicians

W. Henry “Preacher” Dalton, 60, who succumbed Wednesday at his home at 704 Oak street, died as a result of a blow he received several months ago when he was arrested by members of the local police department. This was the verdict returned at the close of an autopsy Wednesday night. It was performed at the request of the family by Drs. R. W. Faulk and A. D. Tisdale. An abcess developed and this was given as the direct cause of death.

A few days ago his condition became more serious and he was taken to a physician. Tuesday an X-ray examination was made at St. Francis sanitarium, but the X-ray failed to show any injury to the skull. However, the autopsy showed damage to the skull and that an abcess resulted underneath the questioned part, Dr. Faulk said.

When taken into custody at the time he was injured, Dalton, who was alleged by officers to have been drunk, was said to have engaged in a fight. It was stated that he fought officers who sought to arrest him and that one of the officers struck him a blow on the head. According to the officers, Dalton had been hit on the head a few minutes before with a piece of timber by the man with whom he was fighting. L. V. Tarver, superintendent of police, said it had not been determined whether it was the blow struck by the officer or by the man with whom Dalton was fighting which caused the injury said to have resulted in his death.

Dalton had a colorful career. He was born in England and served in the British navy a number of years before coming to America.

It was said that at one time he became much interested in the work of the Salvation Army and it was through this connection that he became known as “Preacher” Dalton. He left the Salvation Army several years ago, however, and for some years he worked as a motorman for the Monroe municipal street railway. Since leaving the employ of the street railway he had not had regular work.

Surviving are his widow and the following children: Charles, 22; Alexander, 19; Beatrice, 12; Mattie Muriel, 9; Ollie, 6; and Thomas, 4.

Funeral services will be held at the home at 2:30 Thursday afternoon, with interment following in Claiborne cemetery.