RICE, John - 1916 - Putnam

Guarded by a viscous dog, the body of John Rice, age 68 years, who lives about 2 1/2 miles northwest of Fillmore, was found by neighbors and friends Saturday afternoon.  The old man probably had been dead since Friday.  So vicious was the dog, those who went to the house to investigate the inability of neighbors of the old man to arouse him, had to shoot the animal before they could enter the house. Evidently the aged man had been dead for more than a day when found. He was lying on the floor of his log cabin, probably having died suddenly of heart disease.

It was through Thomas Bohannon that it was learned that something was wrong at the home of Mr. Rice.  He had sent his son, Paul Bohannon, to the Rich cabin Saturday morning to inform the old man that a check for the payment of some gravel had been left for him at the Bohannon house. The lad could not arouse the old man and because of the viciousness of the dog could not enter the house.

The lad reported conditions to the father and Robert Garret, Charley Pickett and Mike Craver, the latter a brother-in-law of the old man, went to the house to investigate. A horse owned by Rice was tied to a post in front of the house, it evidently having been there for at least 24 hours.  

Because of the viciousness of the dog the men had to shoot it through a window before they could enter. They then found the old man's body.

Mr. Rice owned 40 acres with only his dog and horse for many years.   --- kbz