Mason - W.T. - Montgomery InGenWeb Project

Many of our readers will remember the young man, Mr. W. T. Mason, who attended school at this city, under the management of the Messrs. Hopkins. His home was near Lafayette. Last Sunday a week ago, he was killed by lightning, at about 5 o’clock in the evening. He was an excellent young man and was engaged to be married to a young lady of this city, who went to his late home to be present at the funeral.  Mr. Mason, after he attended school here, read law in this city, in the office of N. Vanhorn for several months. He also taught three terms of school in this county. He was at home alone at the time of his death, and had gone out, as is supposed, to take a walk. The lightning struck a hedge within ten feet of him and he was found upon his face, killed by the concussion. He lacked one month of being 21 years old. He had extraordinary talent for one of his age; and would have been taken for a person considerably older.  Mr. J. O. Garr, who attended school with him and was his warm personal friend, accompanied Miss Eva Nicholson, of this city, to the late home of her affianced, the deceased, his parents knowing and approving the engagement, having telegraphed the sad news and an invitation to come. Her acquaintance with the deceased began at the house of Mrs. Garr, the mother of Mr. J. O. Garr. The latter, on account of his strong friendship, offered to accompany Miss N. and the two went, but they were so delayed the funeral had occurred before their arrival. Mr. Mason had only been six days gone from a visit here at the time of his death, and it is remarkable that in the very last conversation he had with Mr. Garr, the subject of being struck by lightning was discussed, and Mr. Mason expressed the absence of all fear of lightning. Mr. Garr and Mr. Mason’s mother accompanied Miss Nicholson to the grave. Of this visit, most affecting as it was, we will say nothing because the awful solemnity of such an occasion can only be felt, not described.  At the time of his death the ink was not dry upon an envelope which contained an affectionate letter addressed to Miss Nicholson. It was sealed and was give to Miss N. while she was there. Who can imagine the heart throbbing and heart aches that much have been experienced while she read that letter, the writer, her affianced husband, having been consigned to the tomb?

Source: Crawfordsville Weekly Journal Saturday, 27 June 1874

A young man by the name of W. T. Mason, a son of Mr. J. Mason, a well known farmer residing in Jackson Township, was struck by lightning Sunday afternoon about 5 o’clock and killed instantly. The deceased was twenty one years of age. We are unable to learn further particulars.—Lafayette Courier