Vanmeter - Jefferson
Source: Crawfordsville Weekly Journal Thursday, 1 January 1874
A young man named Jefferson Vanmeter lost his life last Tuesday morning by the caving in of a well on the farm of James Clarkson, two and a half miles northeast of Pleasant Hill, in this county. The well was about 18 feet deep and was walled with brick. It had, however, furnished no water for some time and he was engaged in taking out the wall that it might be dug deeper. When near the bottom of the well the earth commenced caving and in a few minutes he was buried to the depth of three feet. No person was present at the time except Mr. Clarkson, who immediately ran for assistance. It was three hours before he could be taken out, but of course by this time life was extinct.
Mr. Vanmeter was 18 years of age, an honored member of the order of Good Templars and was highly respected by all who knew him. He leaves a widowed mother who was dependent upon him for support. This sad affair has cast a gloom over the entire community of Pleasant Hill and vicinity. We are in debt to Mr. Bryant of that place for the above particulars. -s
Source: Crawfordsville Weekly Journal Thursday, 15 January 1874
The sad news comes to us of another young man being killed. Geo. Hawthorne, last Wednesday, was hauling straw upon a wagon and while sitting near the front part driving, slipped and fell under the wagon. The hind wheel ran over his body, crushing it. He lingered but a short time after the accident. Thus four men—three of them young men not over 21 years old, and one a man in the prime of life—have been killed in a very small scope of country. J. W. Wallace was the first one, killed by falling from a horse; Wiley Foster next, who was killed by a runaway team; Jefferson Vanmeter was killed but a short time ago in a well, and the above named Hawthorne but last Wednesday.