“Death at 8:30 PM Thursday claimed Mrs. Aurora Bell Bolton, 66, wife of Elza Bolton of Slab Run after a lingering illness of complications.”
“Funeral services will be held at the Slab Run Christian church of which she was a member, Sunday at 2 PM with Reverend George Franz officiating.”
‘Interment will be n Vaughters’ cemetery under the direction of Windel-Howland.”
“She is survived by her husband, her mother, Mrs. John Clifford1 of Slab Run, a daughter, Mrs. Thomas George2 of Slab Run, four brothers John Clifford of London, Thomas Clifford of Soldier, Kentucky, George Clifford of Munn’s Run and Nelson Clifford of Portsmouth and three sisters: Mrs. Phoebe Batterson of New Boston, Mrs. Carrie Millar of Slab Run and Mrs. Lena Swords of Sugar Grove. One sister, Mrs. Sara Shaw, died three years ago.”3
Certificate of Death for Mrs. Aurora B. Bolton4
Record of Funeral for Aurora B. Bolton
“County officers today were asked to search for Elza Bolton, 64, of Slab Run who has been missing since Friday, November 9. He was last seen going into the woods with his shotgun and dog. The dog returned home.”5
“Find of a show in the Ohio river at the foot of Court street and arrest of Fred Taylor, 45, of the Riverview apartments, has given police a lead in the mysterious disappearance of Elza Bolton, 62, of Slab Run, who has not been seen since November 10.”
“Taylor, who is held for questioning, was the last known person to see the missing man.”
“Chief of Detectives, John Smith and Detective Ray Brown, who have been investigating the case, said today they believed that the missing man drowned in the Ohio river. The fact that he had $50 on his person when he left home leads relatives and officials to believe he met with foul play.”
“Police were asked to assist in the search for Mr. Bolton November 17 and at that time they questioned Taylor, who said that he did not see the missing man after noon on Saturday, November 10. At that time he declared Mr. Bolton left him to purchase groceries and return home.”
“Tuesday Chief Smith and Detective Brown located three men who said they say Taylor with Mr. Bolton about dark November 10. Taylor was arrested and he took the detectives to the river bank east of Court street, where one of Bolton’s shoes was found. The shoe was embedded in the mud about six feet from the water. The shoe strings were broken.”
“Members of the Bolton family identified the foot covering as that worn by Mr. Bolton. The shoe was identified by burns said to have been caused while Mr. Bolton was repairing a road with hot tar.”
“After finding the shoe, police summoned the fire department rescue squad, who dragged the river at that section for more than two hours Tuesday night.”
“Taylor told Detectives Smith and Brown that Mr. Bolton was under the influence of liquor. He said the man fell in the river once and that he (Taylor) dragged him from the water and left him on the river bank. Taylor said he covered the man up with his sweater to keep him from catching cold.”
“Taylor said Mr. Bolton sent him to buy sandwiches and a pint of whisky a short time before he (Taylor) left him on the river bank.”
“Chief Smith said that Taylor did not go home the night that Bolton disappeared and is said to have stayed at the home of relatives on Front street near Scioto street that night.”6
“Fred Taylor, 45, of the Riverview apartments, charged with intoxication, was assessed the court costs and sentenced to 30 days in the county jail, when he was arraigned in municipal court Wednesday.”
“Taylor was arrested Tuesday night and is held for questioning in the mysterious disappearance of Elza Bolton, 62, of Slab Run, who has been missing since November 10.”
“Taylor is the last known person to see Bolton.”7
- Louisa Cochran Clifford
- Cinderella “Cindia” Clifford George
- Mrs. Aurora B. Bolton. (1934, April 27). Portsmouth Times, p. 21.
- “Ohio Deaths, 1908-1953,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-DYVS-MNG?cc=1307272&wc=MD9X-CZS%3A287600301%2C294273101 : 21 May 2014), 1934 > 23801-26800 > image 3047 of 3323.
- Farmer Reported Missing. (1934, November 17). Portsmouth Times, p. 4.
- Missing Man’s Shoe Identified. (1934, November 21). Portsmouth Times, p. 1.
- Taylor Held For 30 Days. (1934, November 22). Portsmouth Times, p. 3.
