CUSHMAN,E va Marie - Fountain County INGenWeb Project

  A two-year-old Veedersburg girl died August 9 after falling into an old well and drowning. The victim was Eva Marie Cushman, daughter of Dale and Carol Cushman of 109 ½ East Second Street, Veedersburg.

  The girl and her parents were visiting Grace Berry, a relative, at a farm eight miles south of Covington. The girl and her mother were sunbathing on a blanket in the back yard and the girl got up, ran to the well 12 feet away, and stood on the wood planks covering it. The rotted wood covering gave way and the girl fell into the 30 to 35 foot deep well.

  Mrs. Cushman called for help and Mr. Cushman lowered a ladder into the well, but it was not long enough to reach the girl. He then tied a rope to the ladder and lowered it again. This time the girl grabbed hold of the rope and her father pulled her to within two feet of the opening. But then the ladder got entangled in a tree branch overhead and jarred the child loose and she fell into the well again.

  Fountain County Coroner Robert Maus said death was due to suffocation by drowning. The victim’s body was recovered by the Fountain County Ambulance Service about an hour after the incident occurred.

  Eva Marie Cushman was born September 12, 1980. She attended Prairie Creek Baptist Church.

  Survivors, in addition to her parents, include eight half brothers and half sisters, Daniel Cripe of Bellefontaine, Ohio, Penny Beck, Angela Cripe, Arda Cripe and Jacob Cripe, all of Veedersburg, Fonda Winchester of Sidwell, Illinois and randy Cushman and Greg Cushman, both of Covington; her paternal grandparents, Alva and Eva Cushman of Veedersburg; mater

nal grandparents, Gladys Campbell of Veedersburg and Ralph and Louise Craig of Veedersburg; and several aunts and uncles.

  Services were conducted August 11 at Bodine and Shelby Funeral Home in Covington with Rev. Harry Hybarger officiating. Burial was in Mt. Hope Cemetery in Covington. – thanks to S