McMasters - Lewis
Source: Newport Hoosier State, 05 November 1924, P. 8
Lewis McMasters of Montezuma, better known in Newport as "Babe" was instantly killed Wednesday noon near the home of Luther Manwaring, north of West Union, Parke County, when a chain broke around a load of logs causing the pole to hit him on the head, scalping him. He was hauling logs from the Sugar Creek bottoms and was using a stump puller in loading them. It was reported that he had a chain and pole around the log to hold it on the wagon, when the chain broke, letting the pole fly back with great force striking him on the head, knocking the top of his head off. The body was taken to Montezuma where the coroner held an inquest and rendered a verdict of accidental death. "Babe" McMasters, a son of Solomon McMasters, had resided in the Sugar Creek neighborhood for a number of years, and during his younger days was a lover of baseball. He was a captain and manager of the Sugar Creek team and whenever he had an open date, a game could be had on a few minutes notice by notifying the Sugar Creek manager. He was as hard a hitter as the Yankee "Babe" Ruth and knocked many home runs on Newport's diamond. He had many friends over here who will regret to hear of his tragic death. He was an honest, hard working man. He is survived by 4 children -- Omer and Foster, both students at Wabash College; Thomas of near Rockville, and Ira at home. Funeral was held Saturday morning by the Methodist pastor of Montezuma. Burial took place in the Montezuma cemetery. – thanks to the Parke County INGenWeb page for this one