Married to Nancy Cope on July 20, 1878 in Orange County, IN.
The Jasper, IN Courier (November 28, 1986) reprinted this story in their genealogy section: "On Thursday afternoon of last week about 3 o'clock, the boiler of Bender Brothers, at Ellsworth, in Hall Township, in this county, exploded with terrific force, tearing the engine and boiler from their foundations, and hurling the latter through piles of lumber fifty yards, killing instantly Mr. Richard Ford, a farmer of that neighborhood, who chanced to be near the mill. He leaves a widow and three young children. Mr. Wyley Cope, who was working at the mill as a hand, was thrown 100 feet by the concussion, and was badly bruised and scalded; will probably die. [The Jasper Courier of July 16, 1886 reports that he did die.] Dr. G.W. Walker was sitting on some lumber talking to Ford at the time. He was thrown several yards, into lumber piles, scalded on one side, one arm broken, and badly bruised. John Bender, one of the owners of the mill, was badly scalded, but will recover. Nicholas Bender, another of the owners, had some heavy lumber fall on one hand and was slightly scalded. Lafayette Ellis was also slightly injured: he was thrown among the flying timber about 100 feet and his escape is almost miraculous. The mill was a stationary one; was several years old; having been bought by the Benders from the now notorious Archer gang of Martin county, one of whom hangs at Shoals today, and who ran it several years as a blind to their rascalities. It is supposed carelessness in the supply of water caused the explosion."
In 1988, Wheeler Nelson told David Nelson that these sawmills were great gathering places for locals. He said that Richard told his wife he was just going to run down to the store for a minute. Wheeler also said that the only treatment for burns then was covering the victim with wet sheets.
Originally buried in Elon Cemetery, which was moved to Patoka Memorial Cemetery when Patoka Lake was created.
The Jasper, IN Courier (November 28, 1986) reprinted this story in their genealogy section: "On Thursday afternoon of last week about 3 o'clock, the boiler of Bender Brothers, at Ellsworth, in Hall Township, in this county, exploded with terrific force, tearing the engine and boiler from their foundations, and hurling the latter through piles of lumber fifty yards, killing instantly Mr. Richard Ford, a farmer of that neighborhood, who chanced to be near the mill. He leaves a widow and three young children. Mr. Wyley Cope, who was working at the mill as a hand, was thrown 100 feet by the concussion, and was badly bruised and scalded; will probably die. [The Jasper Courier of July 16, 1886 reports that he did die.] Dr. G.W. Walker was sitting on some lumber talking to Ford at the time. He was thrown several yards, into lumber piles, scalded on one side, one arm broken, and badly bruised. John Bender, one of the owners of the mill, was badly scalded, but will recover. Nicholas Bender, another of the owners, had some heavy lumber fall on one hand and was slightly scalded. Lafayette Ellis was also slightly injured: he was thrown among the flying timber about 100 feet and his escape is almost miraculous. The mill was a stationary one; was several years old; having been bought by the Benders from the now notorious Archer gang of Martin county, one of whom hangs at Shoals today, and who ran it several years as a blind to their rascalities. It is supposed carelessness in the supply of water caused the explosion."
In 1988, Wheeler Nelson told David Nelson that these sawmills were great gathering places for locals. He said that Richard told his wife he was just going to run down to the store for a minute. Wheeler also said that the only treatment for burns then was covering the victim with wet sheets.
Originally buried in Elon Cemetery, which was moved to Patoka Memorial Cemetery when Patoka Lake was created.
Married to Nancy Cope on July 20, 1878 in Orange County, IN.
The Jasper, IN Courier (November 28, 1986) reprinted this story in their genealogy section: "On Thursday afternoon of last week about 3 o'clock, the boiler of Bender Brothers, at Ellsworth, in Hall Township, in this county, exploded with terrific force, tearing the engine and boiler from their foundations, and hurling the latter through piles of lumber fifty yards, killing instantly Mr. Richard Ford, a farmer of that neighborhood, who chanced to be near the mill. He leaves a widow and three young children. Mr. Wyley Cope, who was working at the mill as a hand, was thrown 100 feet by the concussion, and was badly bruised and scalded; will probably die. [The Jasper Courier of July 16, 1886 reports that he did die.] Dr. G.W. Walker was sitting on some lumber talking to Ford at the time. He was thrown several yards, into lumber piles, scalded on one side, one arm broken, and badly bruised. John Bender, one of the owners of the mill, was badly scalded, but will recover. Nicholas Bender, another of the owners, had some heavy lumber fall on one hand and was slightly scalded. Lafayette Ellis was also slightly injured: he was thrown among the flying timber about 100 feet and his escape is almost miraculous. The mill was a stationary one; was several years old; having been bought by the Benders from the now notorious Archer gang of Martin county, one of whom hangs at Shoals today, and who ran it several years as a blind to their rascalities. It is supposed carelessness in the supply of water caused the explosion."
In 1988, Wheeler Nelson told David Nelson that these sawmills were great gathering places for locals. He said that Richard told his wife he was just going to run down to the store for a minute. Wheeler also said that the only treatment for burns then was covering the victim with wet sheets.
Originally buried in Elon Cemetery, which was moved to Patoka Memorial Cemetery when Patoka Lake was created.
The Jasper, IN Courier (November 28, 1986) reprinted this story in their genealogy section: "On Thursday afternoon of last week about 3 o'clock, the boiler of Bender Brothers, at Ellsworth, in Hall Township, in this county, exploded with terrific force, tearing the engine and boiler from their foundations, and hurling the latter through piles of lumber fifty yards, killing instantly Mr. Richard Ford, a farmer of that neighborhood, who chanced to be near the mill. He leaves a widow and three young children. Mr. Wyley Cope, who was working at the mill as a hand, was thrown 100 feet by the concussion, and was badly bruised and scalded; will probably die. [The Jasper Courier of July 16, 1886 reports that he did die.] Dr. G.W. Walker was sitting on some lumber talking to Ford at the time. He was thrown several yards, into lumber piles, scalded on one side, one arm broken, and badly bruised. John Bender, one of the owners of the mill, was badly scalded, but will recover. Nicholas Bender, another of the owners, had some heavy lumber fall on one hand and was slightly scalded. Lafayette Ellis was also slightly injured: he was thrown among the flying timber about 100 feet and his escape is almost miraculous. The mill was a stationary one; was several years old; having been bought by the Benders from the now notorious Archer gang of Martin county, one of whom hangs at Shoals today, and who ran it several years as a blind to their rascalities. It is supposed carelessness in the supply of water caused the explosion."
In 1988, Wheeler Nelson told David Nelson that these sawmills were great gathering places for locals. He said that Richard told his wife he was just going to run down to the store for a minute. Wheeler also said that the only treatment for burns then was covering the victim with wet sheets.
Originally buried in Elon Cemetery, which was moved to Patoka Memorial Cemetery when Patoka Lake was created.
Inscription
I recall the inscription from memory, having seen it first 40 years ago: "Remember friend, as you pass by/As you are now, so once was I/As I am now, you soon will be/Remember death and follow me."
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