Sheridan Township Stories
A Sad Accident
The neighborhood near New Garden school-house was considerably
excited over the finding of the body of Jacob J. Spohn, an old man
nearly sixty years of age. He was found drowned in Marrowbone Creek,
on Tuesday, June 14, 1870. He had attended to his duties in the
morning, and, after eating a light breakfast, took his fishing pole
and started for Marrowbone Creek. Not returning to dinner, his
family became somewhat alarmed and went in search of him. They found
his body floating in the water about a foot below the surface, life
apparently having been extinct some hours. His fishing-pole was
found where he had been fishing. It is supposed that, being subject
to fainting spells, he had been attacked by one of them while
sitting on the bank, and had fallen forward into the creek. The
coroner's verdict was: "Manner and cause of drowning to jurors
unknown." The fainting was believed to have been the tree cause.
Another
Nearly seven years later, and in the same month, another sad
accident happened, and the waters of Marrowbone Creek again proved
the winding sheet of another unfortunate. William Reed, while
attempting to cross Marrowbone Creek, believing he could ford it,
drove in and the team soon found itself beyond its depth. In -the
struggle to get out, Mr. Reed in trying to help them, it is
supposed, fell into the creek and was drowned. The team also shared
the fate of the unfortunate owner. A coroner's jury was impaneled by
Squire J. G. Black, who acted as coroner, and the above was the
conclusion arrived at. There was no witness to the sad affair, and
the manner of their death could only be judged by the appearance of
the victims.
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