NEFF, Willis G. - 1898
Source: Crawfordsville star, 27 Jan 1898 p 1
Willis G. Neff, postmaster of Greencastle was found in a cistern in the rear room of his office on Friday night at 9 o’clock. He had left his home a block distant telling his family that he was going down town for awhile. His wife became uneasy and with her daughter and George G. Morris, a clerk in the office went to the post office. Here Morris discovered the door to the rear room unlocked and on gong into the room found the postmaster’s cane near the cistern, from which the heavy iron lid had been removed. Summoning an undertake, next door, the men threw a light on the cistern and there discovered Mr. Neff’s body floating in 10’ of water. He had evidently been dead about an hour when found.
Indications point to a carefully planned suicide for which there is no known reason. Mr. Neff’s health has been poor for several months which was the probably cause as he has been despondent. His accounts are said to be in perfect shape. Mr. Neff had been postmaster of Greencastle twice, first under Cleveland’s firs term and then was reappointed during Cleveland’s second incumbency. He had represented Putnam County several times in the legislature and in his day was one of the best known lawyers in this section. He was one of the most popular democrats in central Indiana and was a member of the Christian Church. His family is prostrated over the sad affair. Mr. Neff was about 70 years old. His second term as postmaster would have expired next month and his successor has already been appointed in L.F. Chapin.
Mr. Neff was for a number of years a citizen of Sullivan County and in 1857 was elected recorder of that county, holding the office three years. He resigned to accept the office of prosecuting attorney for the district in which he resided and was reelected to the same position in 1862. He went to Greencastle later and entered upon the practice of law there. --kbz
Note: Born 30 August 1830 Boyle County, Kentucky died Greencastle, 21 Jan 1898
Buried Center Ridge Cemetery, Sullivan County, Indiana
Source: Indianapolis Journal 25 Jan 1898 p 3
Sullivan, Jan 24 – The funeral of Willis G. Neff, postmaster at Greencastle who committed suicide by drowning himself in a cistern last Friday was held here today from the Christian Church. Mr. Neff was formerly a resident of this city, holding the office of county recorder three years and also serving as prosecuting attorney. = kz