Frances Rachel Miller

Frances Rachel “Fannie” Miller (1866-1941), daughter of James Crawford Miller and Frances Young Haynes, of Ohio County, married John S. Coots in March 1889.  Fannie and John Coots are the parents of Sam C. Coots (see below).

Source:  “A Sesqui-Centennial History of Kentucky,” published 1945 by the Historical Record Association, Hopkinsville, KY.

1853 NEWS

To me this is a fascinating document.  There is a lot of information here for various families: Benton, Leach, Bryant, Gentry, Miller, Rogers, Smith, Brown, Fraught, and Taylor.

One note is that Rebecca Leach is noted as the daughter of Jonathan & Nancy Rogers.  All Leach researchers show Rebecca's surname as Raley and that Rebecca Raley married James S. Leach when she was 20 years old (1823).  I suppose she could have previously been married to a Rogers but when I look at the Jonathan Rogers Findagrave index there is no indication he had a daughter named Rebecca (other children are named).  So that is a bit of a mystery.  Could easily be an error by the newspaper.

GRAVE MARKERS - 8

J. W. Meador

William & Isabella Mercer

W. P. & Polly Ann Midkiff

Elisha M. Miles

Elijah & Elvira Miller

James B. Miller

James P. Miller

Archibald P. Montague

Nancy Ellen (Leach) Montague

Robert Y. & Mary E. Morehead

Ohio County Guardianships

 Ohio County Guardianships

          Guardianship proceedings occurred when minor children were orphaned or when the father or "bread winner" died. The mother was allowed to retain guardianship if officials considered her circumstances sufficient to provide for the children. Another person appointed as guardian may have been a relative, a friend of the family, or one who could teach the minor(s) a trade. In some cases guardians or administrators were appointed to handle the affairs of adults who were deemed incompetent.

          County officials (County Court/County Judge) appointed guardians to provide minor children with education or training, making it more likely that the minors would become contributing members of the community rather than wards of the county or state.

          The guardian must file periodic reports with the Court detailing all actions taken by the Guardian, especially when the Guardian is handling money belonging to the child or the incompetent adult (sometimes referred to as the Ward).

          Guardianship records usually give the name of the deceased parent(s) and the names and ages of the minor children. The records have been kept by the clerks of either the county courts or the circuit courts in Kentucky. They are most often intermingled with probate or court records.

          I am unable to search the Ohio County courthouse records for guardianship data but I have searched the online records for the Hartford Herald (1875-1926) and the Hartford Republican (1891-1926) and found ninety-five mentions of guardianships, which (I assume) would be substantially less than the actual total.  It would be a good project for someone to search those records and write a book on this subject. 

          I will post all ninety-five items that I found.  I will highlight the surname of the Ward to help you search.  These are not in chronological order, but as I found them when searching the online site for the newspapers.  It will take several weeks to post all ninety-five items.

Here’s what I found in the Hartford Herald:

1. Jan 9, 1889, pg 4, under County Court Notes, Jan Term. BARNETT, HUFF, LACEY, DOUGLAS, and WRIGHT.

2. Mar 5, 1890, pg 3, under County Court Notes. POOL, HAMILTON, HOLBROOK, WHITELY, AUSTIN.

3. May 25, 1921, pg 8. MADDOX, MILLER

4. May 11, 1921, pg 1. KERKOF, FAUGHT, SMITH

5. Sept 7, 1904, pg 3. WRIGHT, HODGES, RHOADS

1879 Visit to Ohio County

I'm not certain about any of this but think the following newspaper article was written by Allen B. Miller. He mentions his brother, A. J., and that would be Andrew Jackson Miller. They have visited their brother, Richard Howard Miller.  Also mentioned is sister Martha (Miller) Wilson and sister Sarah (Miller) Jaminson [sic Jarnagin?]. I think their parents were Andrew Reed Miller (1797-1857) and Mary Jane Howard. This article was published in the Hartford Herald 11 Jun 1879.

Daviess County History - James C. Miller

Source Daviess County History:

JAMES P. MILLER

JAMES P. MILLER, Ohio County, was born October 6, 1850, and is the son of William and Elizabeth (Leach) Miller, and grandson of Andrew B. Miller, who came from Larue County, Ky. His parents died when he was quite young. His father had three brothers, who were ministers of the gospel: Richard H., Allen B., and Andrew J. Miller. The first died in Ohio County, June, 1879, and the last in Henderson County, Ky., in 1883. Allen B. is now pastor of the Second Baptist Church at Evansville, Ind. Mr. Miller has two sisters in Ohio County, near Rosine; one brother in McLean County, and one in Brown County, Tex. Mr. Miller was married January 1, 1877, to Sally A. Paxton, daughter of John H. and Margaret (Ross) Paxton, born March 28, 1854. They have three children: Norma, Cleburn, and Bernice. Mr. Miller is a successful farmer. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and is at present master of Cromwell Lodge No. 420; has been a Mason thirteen years. In polities is a Republican and Prohibitionist.

Source: J. H. BATTLE, W H. PERRIN, & G. C. KNIFFIN 1895

Note:  Judge James Pendleton Miller died 12 Oct 1915 in Ohio County and is buried in the Paxton Cemetery, Ohio County.  The Paxton Cemetery is located off Burge Lane, which is a few miles south of Beaver Dam.

JOSEPH T. MILLER

JOSEPH T. MILLER was born in this county October 14, 1840. His father, David A. Miller, was born in this county, but his ancestors were from Maryland, and came to Kentucky about 1795. David A. Miller has given special attention to farming, in which he has been successful, having acquired 2,000 acres of land, which he has divided principally among his children; he is still living in the enjoyment of perfect health at the advanced age of eighty- four years. His wife, Maria (Williams) Miller, died in January, 1881. They were long members of the Methodist Church, and were parents of ten children, all of whom lived to be grown. Joseph T., next to the youngest child of the family, received his early training at district schools, and finished his education at the Hartford Seminary. He was student of medicine under Dr. John E. Pendleton, of Hartford, and after three years attendance at the Jefferson Medical College, at Philadelphia, graduated therefrom in 1870, when he returned to Hartford, where he has since practiced. He is a member of the McDowell Medical Society, and has a large practice. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and in politics a Democrat. May 6, 1880, he married Miss Jennie Short, of Rumsey, McLean Co., Ky., daughter of Col. William and Elizabeth (Green) Short. Mr. and Mrs. Miller are members of the Methodist Church. They have three children: Lizzie S., David G., and Joseph T.

Source: J. H. BATTLE, W H. PERRIN, & G. C. KNIFFIN 1895

Note:  Dr. Joseph Thomas Miller died 11 March 1911 in Hartford in Oakwood Cemetery, Hartford.

ELIJAH MILLER

ELIJAH MILLER was born January 9, 1834, in Ohio County, Ky. His father, David A. Miller, was born August 19, 1801, in the same county, and is a son of David, Sr., and Dorcas (Holiday) Miller. David, Sr., was a native of Calvert County, Md., and came to Kentucky in 1798; his father, Joseph Miller, was a native of Ireland. Elijah Miller began farming for himself at the age of twenty-one at which he has always been successful, now owning 456 acres of highly improved land, a large part under cultivation. September 28, 1856, he married Elvira Barrett, of Ohio County, daughter of Ignatius Barrett. They have seven children living: Lois B., William B., Louella, Richard P., David L., Marvin I., and Carrie — all at home. With his wife and three children, Mr. Miller is a member in good standing of the Methodist Church. In politics he is a Democrat and a supporter of the temperance movement, having at one time been a member of the S. T. and S. of T.

Source: J. H. BATTLE, W H. PERRIN, & G. C. KNIFFIN 1895

Note:  Elijah Miller died 8 Apr 1898 in Ohio County and is buried in the Miller Cemetery at Beaver Dam.

JAMES MILLER

JAMES MILLER, Esq., Ohio County, was born in Shelby County, Ky., November 25, 1821, and in 1824, his parents removed to Ohio County, Ky. His father was James Miller, a native of Culpeper, County, Va., born in 1789. His mother was Amy S. (Anderson) Miller, born in New Jersey in 179l. James Miller, Sr., was a farmer and cabinet-maker by occupation, and was deputy sheriff, assessor and magistrate in Ohio County many years, and resided near the Panther Creek Baptist Church. He died January 1, 1871; his wife, Ann (Stout) Miller, died three days later, January 4, 1871, and both were buried in the same grave in the Panther Creek Cemetery. The grandfather was Robert Miller, who died in Shelby County, Ky. James and Amy Miller were the parents of ten children, of whom our subject is the sixth. He was married November 7, 1847, to Malvina, fourth child of Hilary and Margaret Bell. Mrs. Miller was born December 11, 1824, in Daviess County, and died November 5, 1874. They had nine children, of whom six are now living. James H. died August 30, 1852; William E. died October 19, 1872; Estil died March 27, 1871; Margaret S., Francis, Virgil (married to Mollie C. Ford), Nathaniel C. (a professor of music at Sacramento, McLean County; he was educated at Valparaiso, Ind.), James B., and Susan D.  Mr. Miller received a good education in the schools of Ohio County, and at the age of twenty-one purchased his present farm of 165 acres of excellent land with pleasant and commodious farm buildings. In 1874, he was elected to the office of justice of the peace, for Ohio County, in which office he is now serving his third term. He is a leading member of the Baptist Church, at Panther Creek. Is a strong temperance man; and has been a member of the different temperance organizations of the day. He takes a deep interest in all progressive movements. In politics he is a Democrat.

Source: J. H. BATTLE, W H. PERRIN, & G. C. KNIFFIN 1895

Note:  Mr. Miller died 23 Sep 1905 and is buried in Panther Creek Baptist Church Cemetery, Daviess County, KY.

Panther Creek Baptist Church

JAMES BARDNEY MILLER

JAMES BARDNEY MILLER, Ohio County, is the son of Jacob Miller and Martha (Whitler) Miller. The father was born February 28, 1804, in Pennsylvania, and settled in Ohio County, Ky., about 1812. His father was John Miller, a Revolutionary soldier, who assisted in the erection of the old fort at Hartford. He lost an arm in the early Indian wars, and was instrumental in saving the life of Miss Anderson at the Hartford Fort, by shooting the Indian who was in the act of scalping the lady. He was well known in early history as a famous Indian fighter, and went by the name of “Tick-eye John Miller." He had three sons and three daughters; John, the eldest son, was in the battle of New Orleans; Jacob is the second son, and is now living at the advanced age of eighty-one. He has been known as a hunter of wild game. He was married, March 17, 1831, to Martha Whitler, who was born February 12, 1810, and died in March, 1882. She was the mother of eleven children, of whom James Bardney, the subject, is the seventh. He was born on February 24, 1847, in Ohio County, and received a good common school education, and was married, November 7, 1869, to Nancy, the fifth child of Addison and Margaret (Riney) Lanum, of Marion County, Ky. who was born March 29, 1848, and came to Ohio County, Ky., at the age of six. Mr. and Mrs. Miller are the parents of seven children: Loretta, Martha Ann, Elgiva, Lydia (dead), Magnolia, Theola, and James. Mr. Miller is trustee of schools and takes a deep interest in the education of his children.

Source: J. H. BATTLE, W H. PERRIN, & G. C. KNIFFIN 1895

Note: Mr. Miller and his family resided in Ellis, Ohio County (northeast of Fordsville); he died 19 March 1893 in Ohio County and is buried in Deanefield Cemetery, Ohio County.

Testimony of O. D. Miller from Leach vs Leach lawsuit.

The following testimony of O. D. Miller was taken 11 February 1948; this post is the third of eleven. The background (explanation) for this testimony can be found in my post dated 23 July 2014.

OHIO CIRCUIT COURT (1948)

Chester F. Leach, Clyde F. Leach, Oscar Leach, Otis Leach, Ersa Leach, and Samuel Leach, Plaintiffs.

vs.

S. D. Leach, Defendant.

DEPOSITIONS FOR DEFENDANT

Also the deposition of O. D. Miller taken at the same time and place and for the purpose stated in the caption.

Witness being first duly sworn and examined by Otto C. Martin, attorney for defendant, testified, as follows:

Q. 1   State your name, please sir.

A.  O. D. Miller.

Q. 2   Your age?

A.    63.

Q. 3   Your residence?

A.   Cromwell, Route 1.

Q. 4   What section of the county do you live in?

A.   Rob Roy section.

Q. 5   How long have you lived in that community?

A.    Since 1902.

Q. 6    Do you own a farm in that section?

A.    Yes sir.

Q. 7    Did you know S. W. Leach during his life time?

A.   Yes sir, part of it.

Q. 8   After you moved into that section?

A. Well, I married a niece of his.

Q. 9   How close did you live to where he lived when he died?

A. Within a half mile.

Q. 10   Did you know the farm on which he lived at the time of his death?

A. Yes sir.

Q. 11    Had you been on that farm?

A.  Yes sir.

Q. 12   Over it?

A.   Yes sir, I lived one year almost adjoining it, the first year after I was married.

Q. 13   When did you marry?

A.    In 1906.

Q.14    Whose daughter did you marry?

A. Scott Leach's daughter. Scott and Uncle Sam were brothers.

Q. 15    Did you ever cultivate this land any?

A. No sir.

Q.16  Did you know about the timber on that land when Mr. Leach died?

A. I am no timber man, but I have passed through that timber in going back and forth, but never gave it any thought, how much or what it was worth, not being any timber man.

Q. 17  Do you know how long Sam Leach lived on that place before he died?

A. Not exactly, but several years.

Q. 18   He was living there in 1902 when you moved into that community?

A.  I did not exactly move into that community. I lived about four miles from him in 1902.

Q. 19   Did he live on that place when you first knew him?

A. Yes sir.

Q. 20   Tell the court what kind of buildings were on that farm?

A.   There was a barn, I don't know the dimensions of the barn, but I would call it a small barn. I have been in it a good many times. It was shoddy put up, not properly braced. The house was an old house to my first knowing, and I helped to re-roof that house in the year, 1906. It has been there a long time then, but to state the number of years I can't. That is beyond my knowledge.

Q. 21   What sort of a dwelling house was it?

A.   A two room log house with hall, a back porch and back shed room.

Q. 22   Is there an upstairs?

A. I can't say for sure, but I think I would be safe in saying there was a stairway running from the hall.

Q. 23   Any outbuildings?

A. Nothing to amount to anything, maybe a 1ittle coal house, and smoke house.

Q.24   Was there any fencing on the farm when S. W. Leach died?

A. I never saw any fencing on it.

Q. 25   What about the kind and character of the land - the surface?

A.   A part of the land does fairly well, but most of it was worn out, waste land, grown up in black-berry briers, green briers, sumac bushes and such as that.

Q. 26   How much of it was suitable for cultivation, to grow crops on ?

A. Not over 15 acres on the back of the place.

Q. 27   Any bottom land?

A. No sir.

Q. 28   You say you have been through these woods - what kind of ground was the timber growing in ?

A. Mighty thin soil.

Q. 29   What kind of timber was this?

A.   Mostly post Oak, some red Oak, and some white Oak. Mighty little beech. Beech grows on strong land.

Q. 30   About what size timber was growing on this land?

A.   I can't answer that question. As I said I never paid much attention to it. A lot of it was tie timber as to stating about the log timber, I can't say. Most of it was tie timber I would judge at that time.

Q. 31   Now, what about the condition of the roads in that section of the county in 1918 and 19l9?

A.   Dirt roads and muddy.

Q. 32   Just county roads?

A. Yes sir, the people had to go horse back, on foot or buggies and wagons.

Q. 33   Were there very many sales of land in that section, during those years?

A.   No, it was slow at that time, and land sold cheap then.

Q. 34   Was there much timber sold in that section during that time?

A.   Not like there would be now. Once in awhile a man would come in and buy timber. It was not high then like timber is now.

Q. 35   Mr. Miller, state what in your opinion, knowing that farm as you did, and that section of the county as you did, was the reasonable fair market value of that farm, including the buildings, surface and timber, a good title to be conveyed?

A. As to the value of the farm in 1919?

Q. 36   Yes sir, it was sold in February, 1919.

A. I think it sold for a mighty good price at that time.

Q. 37   Do you know what Mrs. Leach got for it?

A.   I understand she got $2,000.00. That right?

Q. 38   Yes sir, you think that was a good price?

A. Yes that was a good price; if I had had a barrel of money I would not have given that to be honest with you.

Q. 39   What would it have been worth if anyone just bought Mrs. Leach's life estate, and she was 62 years old at that time and in poor health?

A. I would say $1,000.00.

Q. 40   What in your opinion would have been the fair reasonable cash value of that land, surface and improvements, with the timber off of it?

A.   $600 or $800. I would not give over $600 for it myself.

Q. 41   Was there any fencing on that land when Mr. Leach died?

A.   Not very much.

Cross examination by Claude E. Smith, Attorney for plaintiffs.

Q. 1   Whose farm did you live on in 1906 when you say you lived almost adjoining this Leach farm?

A.  Mack Porter's farm.

Q. 2  Was it the same quality of land, as to productiveness?

A.   At that time it was , since then it has been built up.

Q. 3   What kind of crops did you grow on it?

A.   I did not grow any crops on the Porter place. I lived there but had my crops on my wife's land.

Q. 4   You did not cultivate the Porter land?

A.   Only some truck patches.

Q. 5   What in your opinion was that dwelling house worth on Feb. 15, 1919, situated on this Leach farm?

A.   Mighty little.

Q. 6   How much?

A.  $200.00.

Q. 7   You say it was a log house, weatherboarded?

A.  Yes sir, ceiled inside, I think with poplar ceiling.

Q. 8   Was it papered?

A. I couldn't say.

Q. 9   You don't know if there were any rooms suitable for living in upstairs or not?

A.  I don't know.

Q. 10   The dwelling house has rotted down now?

A. I think so.

Q. 11  What was this barn worth on February 15, 1919?

A. $50.00. Building material was cheap then.

Q. 12  Do you know how long that barn had been built?

A.  No sir.

Q. 13   It was a frame barn?

A.  Yes sir.

Q. 14  Boxed in?

A. Yes sir.

Q. 15   Did it have a board roof?

A. To the best of my recollection it had a board roof.

Q. 16   Were you ever in the barn?

A. Yes sir.

Q. 17   When were you last in that barn?

A.   It was several years back. I could not say exactly how long it has been.

Q. 18  Were you ever in the barn before February 15, 19l9?

A. Yes sir.

Q. 19  When in fact was the last time you were on this S. W. Leach farm?

A. The back part of it last fall. I went through there in going to the cemetery to put up some monuments - just the back part of it.

Q. 20   How far does this farm lay off the Hartford and Morgantown road?

A.  Well, at one point I would judge about a thousand yards.

Q. 21   Where were you living on February 15, 1919? When Mrs. Leach sold this farm to Jasper Leach?

A. On the farm I now own.

Q. 22   How far from the S. W. Leach farm?

A.  Something like 3 1/2 or 4 miles.

Q. 23 Were you ever on the S. W. Leach farm while he was living there?

A.   Yes sir.

Q. 24   Did he produce crops on this land?

A.  Mighty little.

Q. 25   What do you mean by that?

A.   Just a small amount.

Q. 26   What kind of crops?

A.   Corn.

Q. 27   Any meadow?

A.  I never saw any.

Q. 29. Did he keep stock on that farm?

A. A horse or two and a cow or two - mighty little stock.

Q. 30   You don't have any idea what this place is worth now?

A. No, I do not.

END

Passport Application - Clarence Jasper Miller - 1918

Clarence Jasper Miller, son of Noah Jasper Miller and Almarinda (Amanda) Simpson, was born in Fordsville 22 November 1880. In 1918, when he registered for the WWI draft, Clarence lived in Owensboro with his wife, Elizabeth. Clarence was employed by United Fruit Company in Panama as a farmer.

Clarence died in Memphis, Shelby County, TN 25 March 1952. He was a widower when he died. He is buried in Elmwood Cemetery in Owensboro.

APPLICATION:

Name:  Clarence Jasper Miller

Birth Date: 22 Nov 1880

Birth Place: Fordsville

Age: 37

Gender:  Male

Passport Issue Date: 30 Jul 1918

Passport Includes a Photo:  Yes

Residence: Owensboro, Kentucky

Father Name: N. J. Miller

Father's Birth Location: Fordsville, Kentucky

Father's Residence: Fordsville Kentucky

LEE - MILLER - NATION

SARAH LEE (b. May 6, 1773) was also a Charter Member, when the Church was organized in her log-cabin home on July 16, 1836. She continued in the membership until her death, on October 20, 1852, at age seventy-nine.

Her kinsman, Samuel Lee, was converted in the revival of 1838. It is possible he was her son, and was born about 1802. His wife, Lydia, according to the Ohio County Census for 1850, was born about 1804. Sarah Lee was living in their home at that time. 

HANNAH LEE, who also a Charter Member, was probably a daughter to Sarah Lee and a sister of Samuel Lee. She married William H. Porter on December 21, 1848. She was born about 1816 and died in the year 1888, at the age of   seventy-two and after having been a member of the Green River Church for fifty-two years. In the 1870 Ohio County Census, Samuel Lee was living with the Porters. Sarah and Lydia Lee are buried in the Green River Cemetery, near Cromwell. 

A Sesquicentennial History of the Green River Missionary Baptist Church 1836 - 1986, Written and Compiled by Wendell Holmes Rone, Sr., For the One Hundred and Fiftieth Anniversary of the Founding of the Church, 1987.

_______________________________________________

RICHARD H. MILLER, a son of Andrew Miller, and an older brother of the well known Dr. A. B. Miller, and Dr. A. J. Miller, was a native of LaRue [sic] county, but was carried by his parents to Ohio county where he grew to manhood with but a few educational advantages. He was converted in early life, and was baptized into the fellowship of Mt. Zion church, in Ohio county. In this church he was raised up to the ministry, and, in 1856, succeeded his brother, A. B. Miller, in its pastoral charge. He was also pastor at Cool Spring, and, perhaps, of some churches, in Goshen Association. He was a warm, animated preacher, and "labored with great zeal and good success." The Lord was pleased to take him away in the prime of life. 

A History of Kentucky Baptists, From 1769 to 1885, by J. H. Spencer, 1886, Reprinted by Church History and Archives, 1976, Lafayette, TN. Gasper River Association. 

EDWARD AND NANCY NATION were also Charter Members of the Church, on July 16, 1836. He was already an ordained Deacon from Beaver Dam, and was elected as the first Deacon of the new Church together with Joseph James, on September 17, 1836. His was the first death in the membership, as he died on December 11, 1837. He was a Messenger to the Gasper River Association when it met with the Green River Church in 1837. Nancy Nation was lettered out of the membership shortly after her husband's death. She returned to the membership by letter on May 28, 1848, only to be lettered out again on February 11, 1865. She became a member again by letter about 1870 and eventually lettered out for the final time on September 8, 1877.

A Sesquicentennial History of the Green River Missionary Baptist Church 1836 - 1986, Written and Compiled by Wendell Holmes Rone, Sr., For the One Hundred and Fiftieth Anniversary of the Founding of the Church, 1987. 

Jesse Tooley, Conts Miller, and M. L. Ward

Hartford Herald

January 9, 1895

Drowned in Rough River

Mr. Jesse Tooley, who resided with his two boys near Turkey Bend, on Rough river, about seven miles below Hartford was drowned near his residence last Sunday morning. The river was frozen over, but the warm spell of Sunday morning made the ice rotten and treacherous. A "dinky" boat belonging to Mr. Tooley was on the opposite side of the river and one of the boys proposed to go over and loosen it up. To this Mr. Tooley objected, but the little fellow said he would go anyhow, and forthwith started out over the ice. The father, seeing his son's danger as the ice began to crack, started to the rescue. He reached the boy and grabbing him, threw him back toward the shore, where he fell in safety, but the force of the effort broke the ice and precipitated Mr. Tooley into the water. It seems Mr. Tooley was greatly excited, as would be natural in such a crisis, and although a good swimmer, the terror of the moment bereft him of all self command and he sank beneath the floating ice. He was seen to struggle a few minutes, but without avail, and he soon went down to rise no more. The water at the place was about six feet deep. Mr. Amziah Carter, who lives a short distance away, was attracted by the cries of the boys and came and took the unfortunate man from the water.

Mr. Tooley was a widower and a highly respected citizen of the county. His remains were interred at Walton's Greek cemetery Monday afternoon.

Hartford Herald

June 13, 1900

Conts Miller, the 19 year old son of Joe Miller, of Sunnydale, was drowned last Wednesday while attempting to swim Rough River a short distance above Sullenger’s old mill. He and Elisha Durbin had been to Livermore with some saw logs and were returning home on the north side of the river and when they reached the point where they wanted to cross the river, they found the boat gone and undertook to swim across the river and when near the south side young Miller gave out and sank from sight in the muddy waters to rise no more. His body was recovered Sunday after tireless work and interred in the family burying ground Sunday afternoon.

Hartford Herald

Feb 8, 1905

Drowned in Green River

Mr. M. L. Ward, better known as “Mit” Ward, was drowned last Saturday morning about 10 o’clock in Green river. He had been living on the R. T. Iler farm and undertook to cross the river on the ice and when near the middle of the river the ice gave way and he went down. It was some time before he succeeded in making anyone hear him. When the alarm was heard several men ran to the nearest skiff and pulled it down the river to a point opposite to where he broke through and started to his rescue. But he went down when they were in about thirty yard of him. He had kept up, as nearly as they could reckon the time, for an hour by means of a small pole. After about an hours work his body was recovered. His brother, Ham Ward, of Central City, went to Ceralvo and took charge of the remains and took them to Hazel Creek, Muhlenberg county, for burial. Mr. Ward had practiced law for many years, having once been County Attorney of Butler county.