HICKS, Martha Gott - Putnam

This community was shocked on Saturday afternoon by the tragic death of Mrs. Martha Hicks at Browns Valley, where she was instantly killed by the westbound passenger train. Mrs. Hicks, who was old and infirm, had been visiting Miss Eva Vancleave, on the so. side of the track, and was returning to her home on the no. side of the track when the accident occurred. Miss Vancleave told her she better wait, as the passenger train was nearly due, but Mrs. Hicks insisted that she could make it all right. It would appear that she got almost across and then hesitated until the pilot struck her. The body was thrown 96 feet. Every bone was broken except the breast bone. The right side and back of her head was crushed in. Death must have been instantaneous. Mrs. Hicks was the d/o Thomas and Elizabeth Gott. She was born in this county 81 years and 15 days ago. She leaves 3 sons: Joseph of Pensacola, FL; Shelby of Crawfordsville; Thomas of Williamsport and William of Parkersburg; also one daughter, Mrs. Wilbur Houck of Crawfordsville. For some years she has been making her home with M/M Wilbur Branson. Fun. services were conducted at the Browns Valley Baptist Church on Monday afternoon by Rev. SK Fuson, of Rockville. Interment in Indian Creek. -- kbz

Source: Crawfordsville Daily Journal Saturday 14 November 1914

Browns Valley Nov 14 - The southbound Vandalia passenger train struck Mrs. Martha Hicks, aged 80 years here shortly before two this afternoon, killing her instantly. It is said the train was running about 50 miles an hour when it struck the aged woman and that her body was hurled 40 or 50 yards in the direction the train was going. She was fearfully mangled and her head severed from her body. It was stated directly after the tragedy that Mrs. Hicks had been near the Van tracks when the train was approaching and that she attempted to cross ahead of it and most likely did not realize the grave danger on account of her advanced age. Mrs. Hicks was living with Wilbur Branson and family. She is the mother of Shelby Hicks, a barber in Crawfordsville and of Mrs. Wilbur Houck also of that place. -- kbz

Source: Crawfordsville Weekly Journal 20 November 1914 p 5

Martha Ann, daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Gott, was born October 30, 1832. She died Nov 14, 1914, aged 82 years and 15 days. She was married to Allen Hicks March 18, 1852 who departed this life June 11, 1881. To this union were born 11 children, 3 of whom died in infancy 3 after maturity and 5 are living: William H of Lapland; Thomas J of Williamsport; Joseph A of Pensacola, Fla; Shelby and Mrs. W.G. Houk of this city. There are 12 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren, and 3 brothers and one sister, Emma Davis of Lebanon; Stephen A. of Kentland; Samuel and Clay GOtt of this city with a host of relatives and friends to mourn her unfortunate death. Aunt Martha, as we commonly called her, with her husband, united with the Primitive Baptist Church of Indian Creek at an early age and remained consistent members until after the death of her husband, at which time she transferred her membership to the Browns Valley Baptist Church, where she was a faithful member for a number of years but later in life returned to her former church to which she was a faithful member until her death. Aunt Martha on many occasions and to a number of her friends expressed her desire for Bro. Fusen (sic - Stephen Kennedy Fuson) to preach her funeral and when he was informed of that fact, although he is over 70 years of age, he faced a blizzard and paid that tribute to her long life and fond memory, in keeping with his faith and belief. -- kbz

Source: Waveland Independent Waveland, Montgomery County, Indiana Nov 20, 1914

Joseph Hicks and daughter, Aline, were called here from Pensacola, Fla, by the death of his mother and spent some days here this week. He says that business is dull in Pensacola is very dependent on the foreign trade. Joe is registrar of voters in his town and is doing good work. Since taking office he has removed over 7,000 bogus names from the voting lists. -- kbz