Hutchings - William
Source: Weekly Argus News, June 17, 1893 p 4
William Hutchings, a prosperous and well known farmer, residing 4 miles south of Darlington on what is known as the "overcoat" road, met death in a manner most appalling last night. He was burried beneath his own wagon bed in a few inches of a slimy combination of mud and water and strangulation resulted. Hutchings drove to Darlington yesterday afternoon with a load of wheat and having made a sale concluded to wait until dust before returning. During the evening he dropped into the village beer saloon and partook quite freely of the various brands of liquid refreshments so that by the time he hitched up and started for home, he was pretty well under the influence. Notwithstanding his inability to take care of himself, to say nothing of a team of horses, all went well until they reached a small bridge across a ditch near Capt. McClaskey's farm and less than a mile from Darlington. Here the fatality occurred and although the facts will never be known the probabilities are that the team shied and the wagon and driver were dumped into the muddy ditch some feet below.
About 11 o'clock Wallace Casner was crossing the bridge when he noticed the overturned wagon below and driving to a neighboring house he procured a lantern and assistance and proceeded to investigate. The wagon was uplifted and beneath the bed they discovered the body of Hutchings all but hidden in the slime and life extinct. His mouth and windpipe were stopped up with mud while his eyes, ears and hair were clotted and the sight was a sickening one. The body was taken to Darlington where Coroner Bronaugh held an inquest this morning. There was a scalp wound, probably sustained by the fall, but death was undoubtedly caused by strangulation. He was pinioned beneath the heavy wagon bed and it is doubtful if he could have saved himself even had he not been in a drunken stupor.
Hutchings is about 50 years of age and leaves a wife and three children. As far as can be learned he was not considered a hard drinker and only allowed his thirst to get the better of his judgment at long intervals. He was usually quiet and industrious and well known and liked in and about Darlington. The community thereabouts are greatly shocked over the terrible affair. - transcribed by kbz
Source: Crawfordsville Journal Review Tuesday, 13 June 1893
William G. Hutchings was killed last night by an accident which occurred near the farm of Capt. E. P. McClaskey, on the Darlington Road. Hutchings resided on the farm of his mother, Mrs. Martha Hutchings, six miles east of this city. He was a married man and an industrious farmer. Yesterday afternoon he took a load of wheat to Darlington and having disposed of it, spent the balance of the day there, leaving for home about half past eight at night. About 11 o’clock Wallace Asher was driving along the road near Capt. McClaskey’s farm and while crossing a small, unguarded bridge over a boggy little stream, discovered evidence of an accident having occurred there. Examination showed a wagon upside down in the mud and sluggish water below the bridge. Casher hurried to the nearest house and returned with a lantern and assistance. The wagon was raised and under it was found the dead body of Will Hutchings, half buried in the mud. The remains were taken back to Darlington and prepared for burial, while the word of the sad accident was carried to his family. A cut on the forehead seemed to prove that his head had struck one of the logs of the bridge as the wagon went over, stunning him and preventing him from helping himself when the wagon fell over on him. He must have miserably smothered to death in the mud. Coroner Bronaugh held his inquest today and found the deceased came to his death substantially as narrated above. The accident was a very lamentable one and the family has the sympathy of all in its bereavement.
Source: Crawfordsville Daily Journal Tuesday Thursday, 22 June 1893
The coroner has filed his verdict of two inquests, but the inquest of the death of John Hipes and daughter are not yet on file. He finds that “Margaret E. Eller came to her death by an overdose of morphine administered by herself, probably for the relief of pain.” Also that “Wm G. Hutchings came to his death by asphyxiation, resulting by the overturning of a wagon, throwing him face downward into the mud and water, the wagon bed holding him down.”