LAWRENCE WEST STRUCK BY TRAIN

Instantly Killed Last Thursday Morning 

Being Deaf, Failed to Hear Signal of Engineer ---- Was An Old Soldier

Lawrence West, aged 84, was struck by the northbound passenger train near the Butz sawmill early last Thursday morning and received injuries from which death immediately followed.  The force of the blow threw him sixty feet clear of the track and broke all the larger bones of his body and bruised his skull.  He was dead when the spectators reached him. 

Mr West, who is quite deaf, had started from the Park Avenue crossing to walk toward the depot.  He apparently from the testimony of the spectators to the accident, did not hear the oncoming train nor the signals of teh trainmen until the train was within a dozen feet of him.  HE then made an effort to get off the track without success, but sufficient that he was thrown clear of the track and not ground under the cars.

The train continued to the station and discharged it's passengers and then backed up to the scene of the accident and gathered all the information possible and rendered such assistance as could be given before leaving Angola. Morris Hickery was the engineer.  Dr P. N. Sutherland, the company's surgeon, was also called and he made an examination of the body and the nature of the injuries.  The remains were taken to the Klink funeral home and prepared for burial.

The deceased was an estimable man who had lived his entire life in Steuben County.  He served over three years in the Union army in the 30th Indiana Regiment, being discharged at Victoria, Texas in 1865 at teh age of 22 years.

Coroner Ford N. Swift held an inquest at the Klink establishment Saturday morning and after hearing the testimony of two eye witnesses to the accident, James Cline and Paul Butz, he returned a verdict of accidental death for which the railroad company was in no way responsible.  

Obituary 

Lawrence West, son of Joshua and Jerusha Van Norman West was born near West Unity, Williams County, Ohio, December 25, 1840.  Early in his life his parents moved to Flint, Indiana.  There he grew to manhood and when the Civil War came upon his country he responded to the call for soldiers to defenc the flag, abolish human slavery and maintain teh Union.  He enlisted in Comapny G, Thirtieth Indiana Voluntary Infantry, which was organized in La Grange County and served three years and four months.  He was mustered out and honorably discharged from the service at Victoria,Texas on October 22, 1865, at the age of 22 years.
    He was united in marriage to Catherine Arnold, at Flint, on the twenty-fourth day of December, 1866, by Freeman Green, a justice of the peace, to which union were born six children, one son and five daughters, all of whom survive him.  They are J.W. West of Traverse City, Michigan; Lillian Hunt, Tecumseh, Michigan;  Mrs. J. Lane, Angola; Mrs B. J. Barhite, Toledo, Ohio; Mrs. S. L. Wayland of Toledo, Ohio; Mrs Earl Cline, Angola; and an adopted son, Harold, of Toledo, Ohio.
    Years ago he moved to Angola where he made his home until his death.  He was 83 years, 8 months, and 11 days old.
    Besides the life companion and the children he leaves to mourn their loss one sister, Mrs. Charlotte Davis of Ashley; two brothers, Westly of Colon Michigan; Charles of Muskegon, Michigan and a host of other relatives and friends.
    Funeral services were held at the Klink funeral home Sunday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock, Elder J.O. Rose officiating.  Burial in Circle Hill Cemetery.  All the above named brothers, sisters, and children of the deceased and a great many other relatives from Kalmazoo, Sturgis, Burr Oak, Bronson and Kendallville were present at the funeral.

Card of Thanks

We desire to express our appreciation to all those who so kindly ministered to us by deeds of helpfulness and flowers during out bereavement in the loss of our husband and father.
Mrs. Lawrence West and Children

Steuben Republican:  September 17, 1924

  

 

 

 

 

 

DANIEL WEBSTER DEATH

Almost anyone who is from Angola knows of the dog standing guard at a grave in Circle Hill.  At one time the dog statue was a large copper one but was replaced by a much smaller one after the original was stolen.  This dog stands guarding the grave of Dan Webster.  The Croxton House and Barn still stand, across Maumee street from St Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, in Angola

The Pioneer Colored Resident of Steuben County Crosses the River

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Sketch of His Life--Born and Reared a Slave, He came North at the Close of the War, 

and Had Lived in Angola Nearly a Quarter of a Century.

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     Daniel Webster, the well known colored man who had lived with Wm G. Croxton, of Angola, for so many years, died suddenly last Friday night.  He had been in ill health for six months or more, but was able most of the time to be around and do light work, and his death was very unexpected.  Only a few minutes before it he assisted Mr. Croxton in unhitching and caring for the horse.  Mr. Croxton came home from the children's entertainment at the Opera House about 11:00 o'clock, and, with his little granddaughter, had barely reached his house, having left Dan in the barn, when he heard calls for help.  Going at once to the barn, with other members of his household, he found his faithful old servant on the bed in his room, apparently in great pain.  He lost consciousness and died almost immediately, before medical aid could be secured.  Heart disease was the immediate cause of death.

    For many years he was distinguished as the only colored resident of Steuben county, and it is safe to say that there is scarcely a man, woman, or child in all this region who didn't know "Uncle Dan", as he was familiarly called, by sight at least.  He was born of slave parents in Carroll County Tennessee, about sixty years ago.  His real name was Bludsoe, that, as is generally understood, being the name of his master: but for some reason, probably an aversion for anything that would bring back recollections of slavery days, he assumed the name Webster, by which he had been known since the war.  He came North with Col. Carpenter of Warsaw, at the close of the war, and lived in Warsaw, with Ex-Congressman "Billy" Williams and others for a few years: then he went to live with Capt. Jack Croxton, a brother of our fellow townsman, with he staid seven years.  Twenty-three years ago, he came to Angola to live with W. G. Croxton, and remained with him continuously until his death.

    Born a slave, very little is known of his early life, or of his relatives.  He had a brother known as Kail Brown, who came north with Gen. Tom Brown at the close of the war, and from him he got the name of Brown.  Kail died in Winchester, this state, about two years ago.

    Those brought close to Dan in everyday life, would occasionally find him in a reminiscent mood.  At such times he would entertain them with stray bits of his early history and recollections of slave life, which he would relate with the vivid picturesqueness of style and quaintness of expression which are unmistakable characteristics of the Negro race and dialect, adding a peculiar charm to the narrative.  His earliest recollections were of his parents and their master who, it seems, was a humane and kindhearted man; of the time when the daughter of the master married an unworthy member of a proud and aristocratic family in Mississippi; of  himself, then a sturdy lad with two or three other slave boys younger than himself, being given by his master to the daughter as a wedding present; of a long trip to their future home on a big Mississippi plantation; how his unfortunate mistress, like many another woman, soon discovered that she had been deceived and betrayed into an unhappy marriage; that her husband was a graceless profligate, leading an abandoned and dissolute life, which speedily terminated into the disappearance of the faithless husband and the cruel desertion of the wife, who was left with her little colony of colored children, friendless, helpless, and destitute; of the appeal to her father for help and protection; of the days of distress, and privation which followed, until the slow methods of communication and travel of those days brought relief; how they all, heartsick and homesick as they were, shouted and cried for joy when they one day recognized the familiar form of the master in the distance coming on horseback for their deliverance; how the old master settled some necessary business matters, arranged to send his deserted daughter home by a river boat, and then, with Dan and the other little barefooted darkey boys on either side of his horse, struck out for their old home in Tennessee; how the old master would take first one and then another upon the horse with him, and at times would pile them all on while he would walk and rest them, during the long journey, until they reached their old home - a story so full of tenderpathos and interest as be well worthy of being woven into those delightful romances of southern life and customs which come from the graceful pens of Cable, Reed and Harris.
    Dan had a high and innate sense of honor which would be an ornament of many a man claiming a higher position in life than he.  Little children liked him; he was their champion and their comforter.  His inborn chivalry prompted him to resent a slighting remark made of any woman.  His courteous manners and uniform good nature made all who knew him his friends.
   For nearly a quarter of a century he had lived in Angola with Mr. Croxton and was n ever was there more devoted, faithful and loyal attachment upon the part of anyone than he had manifested in that long service.  He had become like a member of the family.  His death deeply moved Mr. Croxton, who fittingly remembered his trusty servant with a funeral service and burial in every respect open to that which would be given a near and dear relative. Humble was Dan's place in life, he met his death while faithfully discharging his duty.  High or low, white or black, what higher eulogy can be paid to any man?
     Funeral services, held at the Croxton residence Sunday forenoon, were attended by a vast concourse of people.  The floral tributes were profuse, the casket being covered with beautiful flowers.  Rev. F. M. Kemper delivered a brief but most excellent address, and music was rendered by a quartette from  the Methodist the Methodist choir.  Mr Kemper's address was especially fitting and appropriate to the occasion, and many speak of it as the finest of its kind ever heard in Angola.  The pall bearers were Sam Shelton, Charles Vincon, B. Barber, and B. Ensley, all colored - and they tenderly deposited the casket in the in Croxton family vault in Circle Hill Cemetery.

Angola Magnet June 17, 1898    

   

COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD OPPOSES PUBLIC DANCE

Attendance On Part Of School Teachers

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Also Goes On Record Against Midweek Athletic And Social Functions -- For Better Schools

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The county board of education in session last Monday in the county superintendent's office, agreed unanimously to employ no teachers who frequents the public dance halls.  Such action, in the opinion of the board, needs no argument in its defense.  The moral welfare of the schools was considered by the board to be the sole basis for the argument.  The new form of contract devised by the state provides fifteen days notice as necessary to annul either party.  The trustees propose to use this feature to enforcing the order and thus to promote its better campaign for better schools.

Other features of school administration were discussed by the board.  Inter-school athletics received its share of comment.  The opinion of the board seems to be opposed to all mid-week inter-scholastic games.  All such sports as well as all social functions of the schools should be scheduled on Friday or Saturday evenings.  

Some members of the board are also of the opinion that action ought to be taken concerning the employment of men who have the tobacco or pool room habit.

Steuben Republican July 13, 1921

106 YEARS OLD

The Oldest Person in Northern Indiana Lives in Angola and Enjoys Life

A few days ago we received a paper from Harvey A. Fuller, the blind poet, giving an account of the death of Nancy Williams at Augusta. Georgia, at the age of 110 years.  This called to mind again the presence inour city of Mrs. Elizabeth Maugherman , who has passed the century mark by six years.

She was born at Bricelines Cross Roads, Pennsylvania, June 1, 1805, and when one year old her parents moved to Starke County, Ohio, and most of her long life was spent in the Buckeye state.  When she was twenty-one years of age she went to Trumball county, Ohio, where she married Adam Maugherman. To the union were born seventeen children, six of whom are living, and with one of her daughters, Mrs. Stafford, on East mill Street, she is making her home.

Her father served in the War of 1812, and her husband in the Civil War, and she is now receiving a pension of $12.00 per month, but owing to her advanced age and touch with two wars she ought to have an increase the same as the men.

Mrs Maugherman moved to Williams county some sixty years ago, and lived there until about five weeks ago when she decided to quit work and take the world easy, making her home with her daughter, mentioned above.  Her facilities are good, her memory being remarkably so, and an hour spent in her company will convince any one that she is growing old "willingly, thankfully and serenely."  All her life she has observed early hours and plain living.  Her doctor bills have been few.  What a flood of memories must come into the mind of a person who has lived more than a hundred years.  Thoughts come into her mind of little errands she did for her mother a century ago, and although her mind is active to the things about her, she no doubt lives largely in the years long gone when all life was not strife as it is so largely at the present time.

One hundred and forty-four descendents of Mrs. Maugherman are living, representing five generations, the one to represent the fifth generation being Leona, daughter of Mrs. Elizabeth Ferrier, of Flint, Steuben county, Indiana and nothing gives her more genuine pleasure that a visit from this great great grandchild.

Her near friend, Mrs. Frank Somerlott, of Angola, who has furnished us most of the above information, speaks in highest terms of her life as a generous, christian woman, who is alive to the interests of the present day.  While she has lived to see the evolution of the oxcart to the aeroplane and other inventions just as remarkable, time has not ceased to be of any moment to her, and while the years of her long life have fallen away like leaves from the tree in Autumn, and she is an old woman and her children are grandparents, she is yet young in spirit and remarkably active.

Steuben Republican October 25, 1911

LAST TAPS FOR CIVIL WAR VET

ANGOLA'S LAST CIVIL WAR VET PASSES AWAY

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Robert H. Snowberger Died Tuesday Morning - Only One Veteran Remains

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Angola's last surviving veteran of the Civil War, Robert H. Snowberger, passed away at an early hour Tuesday morning at his home on North Wayne Street from repeated heart attacks with which had been afflicted for the past two weeks.  His death leaves only one surviving Civil War soldier in Steuben County - Daniel Weisel, of Salem Township, aged 99.

Mr Snowberger, who was 92 years of age, was born in Ashland County, Ohio.  He served with Company D of the Seventh Indiana Calvary for two years and seven months.  His service was with the western army in Western Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, and Arkansas, his organization being engaged in subduing guerrilla warfare and outlawry in the territory passed over by the main army.  He was engaged for six months after peace was declared, under General Custer, of later Indian warfare, in effecting order in Texas.  His life after the war was spent in Steuben County, in farming, and later as a retired citizen in Angola.  He was quite active until recent weeks and took pride in representing the remnant of "the old guard" in public occasion.

He is survived by his wife and two sons by a former marriage.  

Funeral services for Mr. Snowberger will be held at the Klink Funeral Home on Friday afternoon at 2:00 o'clock, Rev. J. O. Rose officiating.  The burial will be in the Pleasant Lake cemetery with military honors by the Angola Post of the American Legion.

SNOW DRIFTS BLOCK TRAFFIC THREE DAYS

State and County Highway Gangs Fight
Valiantly in Snow and Wind to Open Roads
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RURAL SCHOOLS OUT

Steuben county was caught in the tight grip of Old Man Winter Sunday night, and throughout Monday and a greater part of Tuesday, local and through traffic was paralyzed.  Following a mild Sunday, a fifty mile an hour gale and heavy snow swept over the county during the night.  the temperature was not extremely low, dropping Tuesday morning to the lowest point reached during the storm to 11 degrees above zero.Seven inches of snow fell, according to weather reporter John B. Parsell, which produced .8 inches of water.  MOnday morning the highways througout the county were completely blocked and rural schools were closed for two days.  Two Pleasant township school busses were able to make their routes both days, and the Angola schools continued in session with depleted attendance rolls.

Mail and bus service was badly crippled.  The morning mail truck from the south reached Angola after noon on MOnday.  Rural mail service was abandoned for the day and partial service was given Tuesday.  Bus service to Fort Wayne was limited to one round trip and a singe trip on Monday.  Greyhound bus service east and west was reduced to one bus each way during Monday.

A single one of the double rear wheels on a Greyhound bus came off a west bound bus a short distance east of Angola, Monday noon, and the passengers were brought into Angola to await a special bus.  Twelve passengers were marooned here until evening, when a special bus arrived and tool the passengers on the journey west bound.

Freight traffic was brought to a complete standstill as the large trucks became stalled in the drifts or their wheels spun on the heavy layer of snow on the pavements.  These did much to block the traffic,  One truck was reported abandoned north of Angola, almost completely hidden beneath the snow which drifted over it at the roadside. The stat and county highway forces worked steadily to open the roads and did everything in their power to aid traffic through to cantral points.

The storm to be general through the central and western states.  Chicago suffered the most severely of any storm in recent years, as streets and elevated transportation was halted.

In Fort Wayne a school janitor died in the school house of heart failure after spending an hour in strenuous work of shoveling snow.

In Steuben county the blockade of traffic was the severest since the storm at Christmas time three years ago when bus traffic was paralyzed and passengers were obliged to remain three or four days at hotels and in farm houses until he highways could be opened.

Steuben Republican  February 1, 1939

 

EARLY MORNING FIRE

     Last Saturday morning about 7:00 o'clock fire broke out in Ford Willennar's Restaurant at the southwest corner of public square and in a short time the building and contents were beyond repair.
     Mr. Willennar had gone to the rear of the room to start fire in the gasoline stove, and when had lit the gasoline he turned away for just a moment, when the entire room seemed enveloped in flames.  As there was no noise, Mr Willennar is sure there was no explosion, and this adds somewhat to the mystery of the fire.

The building destroyed was the last frame on facing the public square, and had stood there for over fifty years.  It was owned by John A. Booth who carried insurance in the Ohio Farmers for $500.  The contents were also insured in the same company for $350, and Mr. Willennar claims his loss to have been about $700. No doubt Mr. Booth will at once erect a brick building on the site of the one destroyed, and Mr. Willennar will look for another location in which to conduct a restaurant.
     Eugene Coleman, stat agent of the Ohio Farmer's Insurance Company was here yesterday and settled the loss on the building, stock and fixtures.  The company was obliged to pay a total loss on the building and contents due to the lack of water and pressure.  The fire department never made better time or got to a fire in better shape, and it is said by a number of members of the fire department that had they have had proper pressure they could have put out the fire in a very few moments and the loss would have been but slight.\

Steuben Republican August 10, 1910