McCormick - J.O. - Montgomery InGenWeb Project

Waveland, Montgomery County, Indiana

February 25, 1927

James O. McCormick missing. Word was received here on Friday from Williamsport that James O. McCormick was missing and was supposed to have drowned himself in the Wabash river. He left home on that day to visit an acquaintance near a tourist camp, called Flint Rock, several miles up the river. He was traced to the river near there where it was evident that he had eaten a lunch, and left a box of peppermints and a tin-cup. Footsteps and marks of his cane led down to the river. Experienced river men have been dragging the Wabash, but at this time with no results. Mr. McCormick was born on the McCormick farm north of town and spent the greater part of his life in Waveland where he has many friends. He was in the hardware and drug business, and lived in the house now owned by George Dillman. He has one daughter, Mrs. J.C. Stephens, and one son, Perley.

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Source: Waveland Independent

Waveland, Montgomery County, Indiana

April 22, 1927

The body of James O. McCormick who disappeared February 17, was found by a boy, caught in the limbs on a willow tree in the overflowed land along the Wabash, near Independence on Friday. Funeral services were held on Sunday afternoon. The following from the local paper gives the facts of his disappearance as nearly as they could be ascertained.

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Source: WILLIAMSPORT PIONEER  April __ 1927

James O. McCormick, 80, and a very highly respected citizen of this place, is believed to be drowned in the Wabash river about a mile this side of Flint, and as we go to press searching parties are working diligently to locate his body. Last Thursday forenoon Mr. McCormick came down town from his home on West Third street and stopped at the Farmers Supply Store where he visited with F.R. Miller, the proprietor, for some time, as was his custom when he was not at work, he having formerly worked for Mr. Miller when the latter was engaged in the grain business here. After conversing with Mr. Miller for awhile, he asked for a pencil and then went to the front of the store where he seemed to be figuring on a small piece of paper, which he later dropped into a desk drawer. In a short time he left the store. A little later his daughter, Mrs. J.C. Stephens, called up the store to see if her father had been there, knowing that this was a favorite stopping place for him when down town. Mr. Miller went out and looked for Mr. McCormick but did not find him. It then dawned upon him that the slip of paper which "Mack", as he was familiarly known, had dropped in the desk drawer might given some information. Contrary to the rumor which has been circulated to the effect that Mr. McCormick told Mr. Miller in the note that he would not see him again, the note was pertaining to a little business matter which Mr. Miller and Mr. McCormick had talked about, prior to this time, and bore no intimation whatever that a tragic notion was in his mind. When the aged man did not show up late in the afternoon, a more diligent search was started. The local Masonic lodge, where "Mack" has been a leader for many years, took up the search and offered a reward of $100. The learned that Gordon Hess had hauled Mr. McCormick to Attica shortly before noon. It was now late Thursday afternoon. The learned from the north Perry street Wabash watchman that a man answering the description had passed there about 2 o'clock. On up the railroad he had been ordered off the tracks by the signal foreman. He then took the wagon road. This was the last heard of him until Friday forenoon, although the search was continued to Riverside and word was sent to West Point. Friday morning Mr. Miller and a number of local Masons, Sheriff Cole and Deputy Sheriff Stewart began a thorough search. They learned that he had been hauled in a wagon between Attica and Riverside by Fred Auter, who lives east of Riverside. They also learned that he got out of the wagon at Riverside and went north to the river, an aged man answering the description of "Mack" having been seen by Mrs. Auter later in the day going up the river. The searching party worked all day Friday without results. Friday evening Mr. and Mrs. Auter went over to the river and followed the course which Mrs. Auter had seen the aged man take along the river bank. A short distance west of Flint they found an enameled drinking cup, a paper sack containing a few peppermints, and a white rag. These they covered up and Saturday morning Sheriff Cole and Deputy Stewart went to the scene, collected the evidence and brought it to this city where the articles were identified by Mrs. Stephens. Further search of the spot where the articles were found, showed tracks where he had walked up to the river bank and leaned against a large sycamore tree. With the cane he carried, which was an old broken garden rake, he had made holes in the ground near the river. This is the last trace of evidence found regarding Mr. McCormick's disappearance. The water was about 10 feet deep at this point at this time. It has since receded several feet. Since then crews of men familiar with river searching, including the Conner brothers of Lafayette, have been dragging the river almost daily. Relatives and friends here are almost positive that Mr. McCormick's body is in the river. It was thought at first that he might have gone to the home of relatives in Mellott, as he talked of going there soon for a visit.

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