UNKNOWN YOUTH'S BODY EXHUMED AND IDENTIFIED

Unknown Youth’s Body Exhumed; Identified Tuesday

Was Son of Mr. Cash W. Boatwright of Bacon county – Left Home Only Few Days Prior to His Death

Many heavy hearts were made lighter in Cartersville Tuesday morning when it was learned that the body of the youth who met with a tragic death on the railroad near Allatoona nearly a month ago, had been identified as Cloney Boatwright, 20-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Cash W. Boatwright, of Coffee, Ga.

Mr. Boatwright, accompanied by two brothers, came up from their South Georgia home early Tuesday morning.  They requested Coroner G.W. Hendricks to disinter the body because of a strong belief that it was his son.  Mr. Hendricks having already shown a heartfelt interest in the case making desperate efforts toward identification for several weeks, readily complied and upon completion of the task the body was identified beyond question.

The young man came to his death near Allatoona on May 9^th.  The body, having no mark of identification upon it, laid in state at the funeral parlors of Cummings-Long-Owen for three weeks while Messrs. Joe Owen and Pope Weems made every effort to assist Mr. Hendricks in locating relatives.  

At the end of this time, after several hundred people had viewed the body, Cartersville citizens contributed liberally for the burial of the youngster, and he was accorded an impressive funeral about two weeks ago.

Mr. Boatwright, the boy’s father told authorities here that his son had left home the second day of May and not been heard from since.  A neighbor in Baxley, also had a boy missing.  When he learned of the tragic occurrence in Cartersville, he hastened up to see, if by chance if it were his son.  The latter part of last week, Mr. Boatwright learned through this friend of this boy, although he did not know it was Mr. Boatwright’s son.  Mr. Boatwright promptly got in touch with Coroner Hendricks Monday, and came up Tuesday with his two brothers and identified the body.

Many in Cartersville who were touched by the tragedy were made much happier by the identification, for had the boy always remained unknown, it would have left a lasting sad memory in the minds of them all.

The body was shipped to Coffee Tuesday evening for burial in the family lot.  Mr. Boatwright accompanied the remains, expressing before he left a sincere appreciation for the kind interest shown, as well as the laudable efforts of local authorities and Cummings-Long-Owen in trying to identify his son.  He carried with him the heartfelt sympathy of many unknown friends.

Citation:   

The News Tribune, Cartersville GA, Thursday June 6 1935