Owensville Gleaner June 8, 1889

Richard Sumners

On last Monday evening, at five o’clock, news reached this place that Little Richard (Dick) Sumners, who had been making his home at B.F. Skelton’s about one mile east of this place had fallen from a load of hay and the wagon wheels passing over his head and neck had instantly killed him.

A number of men were engaged in harvesting hay and Richard was on the load of hay doing the driving. He had started to the barn and in passing through a gap a rail flew up and hit one of the horses which caused him to run away. Richard was trying to stop them when a portion of the hay slipped off letting him fall between the horses and the wagon. He fell with his face down and the wagon wheels passed over his head, crushing the back part of his skull and breaking his neck, which caused an instant death. The body was carried to the house which was only a short distance away. The accident was a shock to everyone and can hardly be realized. The funeral service was preached Tuesday evening at the General Baptist Church by Rev. Hale at 3 o’clock and his remains were intered in the I.O.O.F. cemetery. Richard was about 15 years old and was very industrious and will be missed at the home. He leaves three sisters, two brothers and a number of friends to mourn the loss of a promising young man.

Courtesy of Jerry Sumners