All articles and obits copied from the Clinton Paper ------------------------------------------------- These 2 - dated 7/5/1870 THROWN FROM A HORSE On Wednesday evening last a man named SWILLEW, in the employ of V. WARNER, was thrown from a horse and ruptured his bowels on the left side. A neat surgical operation was performed by Drs. GOODBRAKE and WRIGHT, and he is recovering rapidly. ____________ A DEWITT CO. INVENTION Mr. John E. WHITE of this county, a received letters patent for an improved see planter, which is intended to pant corn, beans and sorgum seed. We understand that in connection with Mr. F.M. MORROW he is making preparations to introduce them largely throughout the state the coming season. -------------------------------------------------- 9/19/1879 AN OLD SETTLER On eof the oldest, if not the oldest, living settlers of this county is Abraham SWEARINGEN, who resides at Long Point, four miles from Wapella. Mr. SWEARINGEN was born in Pennsylvania on the 7th day of February, 1796. And will consequently be 84 years old next February. When an infant his father moved to Lewis county, Kentucky, and when he was 21 years old he married Miss Elizabeth LOWE. In 1827 he removed to Vermillion county, Illinois, where he lived three years. In March 1830 he removed to his present place of residence in this county, although then embraced within the limits of Tazwell county. In 1831 McLean County was organized taking him into that county, and in 1839 Dewitt County was organized, when Mr. SWEARINGEN was legislated into another county. Thus although living in the same place, he has lived in three counties. By his first wife who died in 1846, Mr. SWEARINGEN had thirteen children, three or four of whom died in infancy. After his first wife's death he married Mrs. Amy HAROLD, by whom he has had two children. He has in all 100 grandchildren and 127 great grandchildren. Although nearly 84 years old, Mr. SWEARINGEN is remarkably preserved, his only weakness seeming to be his eyesight. He is hale and hearty, being able to walk to Wapella and return, a distance of four miles, and during the past summer he cut up into stove-lengths 22 cords of wood. His memory is wonderfully clear, and he recalled the fact that forty - nine years ago next December John J. MCGRAW, now county judge, visited him at his cabin in Long Point. -------------------------------------------------- 1/30/1903 AN AGED MOTHER DIES Saturday morning at fifteen minutes till ten at the home of her son, Garrett VILES, of Clinton, occurred the death of Mrs. Margaret WHITE. The deceased has suffered the past year with catarrh of the stomach, which finally resulted in her death. She was born Aug. 26, 1818, in Cahoga county, New York. Her maiden name was Margaret VREELAND. She was married to Benjamin VILES March 7, 1832. To this union were born three children, two of whom survive: Garrett of Clinton, and Joseph of Gridley. She was left a widow on January 22, 1850. She was married to Adolphus WORDEN, April 22, 1851. To them were born two children: William A. who died Nov.22, 1888, and Mrs. A.J. BROWN of Colfax. Mrs. WORDEN was again left a widow May 2, 1863. Her last marriage was to John S. WHITE Nov. 14, 1870. She was left without this companion July 20, 1886. The deceased was 84 years, 4 months and 29 days of age. She was a life long member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Besides her three children she leaves a host of friends to mourn her loss. The funeral was held at the residence of her son. G.A. VILES, on East Main street, Monday at 10:30 am., conducted by the Rev. T.A. CANADY. The remains were taken to Hudson Monday for interment, accompanied by G.A. VILES and family, Ed PHARES, and Mr. and Mrs. Wm. VILES. ------------------------------------------------ 1/30/1903 ANOTHER MOTHER CALLED TO A BETTER WORLD REMAINS TAKEN TO HER OLD HOME FOR BURIAL Tuesday evening about 9 o'clock, Mrs. Martha E. DOTY died at her home near the Christian church, aged nearly 41 years. She had been sick about a month but her recovery did not seem in doubt until four or five days before her death when she was taken worse. Deceased was born in Patoka, Ill. April 29, 1862. In early life she united with the Methodist church and afterwards with the Baptist church in her home city, and her membership was never transferred from that church. She was married to W.F. DOTY, who survives her, as do four of seven children born to them. The oldest daughter died a year ago. The family had lived in Clinton since 1891, coming here from Pana. She was a faithful Christian, and, a kind loving wife and mother. Services were held at the home at 7:30 Thursday morning and the remains taken to Patoka, Ill, on the 8:30 train for burial. ---------------------------- 1938 INJURIES FATAL TO LITTLE DAVID GEER, SATURDAY David Leroy GEER, 3 year old son of Mr. and Mrs. Roy GEER, was fatally injured when struck by a auto in the business district of Weldon about 11 o'clock Saturday morning. The accident happened at the intersection of the concrete slab running through Weldon at the post office corner and was witnessed by several people who happened to be on the street at the time. The child was enroute home after accompanying his brother to town for groceries, and was crossing the street when struck by a car driven by Russell W. HAYS, 24, a University of Illinois student from Champaign, who accompanied by his brother Wendell, both sons of Emerson HAYS of Champaign, were enroute to Maroa. The speed of the curly headed lad several feet west on the highway. The car was stopped by Wendell HAYS accompanied by Clarence KELL, local mail carrier, took the boy to the hospital at Clinton, where the lad was pronounced dead. The boy was returned to Weldon by the Stamper Funeral Service, were he was prepared for burial. The boy suffered a fractured skull hip and several body and head lacerations, when hit and dragged along the concrete slab. Russell W. HAYS, of 505 South Willis Ave., Champaign, a U.I. Senior of the college and commerce and business administration, was released on $2500 bond on a man slaughter charge in Clinton Saturday afternoon hearing was set for Saturday morning before Justice Frank BELL, Clinton. Hays was charge with exceeding the speed limit through town, after his car had struck and killed little David GEER. The warrant for his arrest was issued on complaints signed by the child's father and the boy's were taken to Clinton by patrolman S.B. Lane. Hays, who was enroute to the Ira WITHERS home near Maroa with his brother Wendell, who said that he seen the child run into the street in front of the car, but could not avoid him. He said that he set the brakes of the coupe and swerved it to no avail. He said that he was driving 25 or 30 miles and hour, officer reported, although speed limit signs of 20 miles per hour are posted at both village limits, when the state slab makes a loop from route 48 through town to route 10. According to some witnesses, the bumper of the car struck the child, while some contend the car swerved and the rear fender struck the boy. When the car was finally stopped it was off the slab on the south side and headed east, although it was going west. The boy was picked up about 30 feet from were he was hit and was laying on the pavement. When it was learned that there was no doctor at Weldon, the boy was taken to the hospital in Clinton. The hospital doctors and attaches said that the boy had probably died instantly as a result of a fractured skull and other injuries. Marks on the pavement according to state patrolman Lane showed the driver had applied his brakes and skidded a distance of 135 feet before coming to stop. Coroner Claude CRUM, of Clinton empanelled a jury and inquest was held Wednesday afternoon, in the Stamper Funeral Home. David Leroy GEER was a son of Mr. and Mrs. Roy GEER and was born in Peoria May 5, 1935. He is survived by his parents and a half brother, Robert Lee YOUNG at home, his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Sam GEER of Clinton and Mr. and Mrs. Joseph WILLIAMS of Peoria, besides several aunts and uncles and a host of friends who loved the bright little fellow. The largely attended funeral services were held in the Weldon Methodist Church Tuesday afternoon with Rev. H. L. THRALL in charge. Burial was made in the Weldon Cemetery. The pall bearers were Robert REEVES, James BECK, Tom PEARL, and Bennie JACKSON. This sudden and untimely death of a little boy has again started talk of regulating traffic through the main business section by either state or village authorities. The law sets the speed regulations, but it is a law that has not been enforced. It is not only an occasional out of town autoist that speeds through town, there are many violators among local people, and it is expected that something will be done to prevent anymore such tragic events. It to bad it takes such things as this to arouse a community. -------------------------------------------------- Have a Great Day :-) Lacinda [email protected] Page me on ICQ # 9870890 Family Tree Project http://www.geocities.com/~lacinda2 Join the Illinois Roots, Beckham, or Roth Mailing Lists http://www.geocities.com/~lacinda2/maillist.htm Post a Message in The Forum http://www.InsideTheWeb.com/messageboard/mbs.cgi?acct=mb220110