Wheeler - Ephraim
Source: Crawfordsville Sunday Star, 6 Feb 1899pg 8, col 3
Ephraim Wheeler, a veteran negro barber and a well known character about town, died on Thursday from a fall down a staircase a few days ago. He left some little property.
Oh, thanks for this great one, Cathie B :) Greatly appreciated !
Source: Crawfordsville Weekly Journal Friday 3 Feb 1899
Thursday at nine o’clock a.m. Eph Wheeler, the well known colored barber, passed away. Several days ago he received severe injuries from falling down the stairs leading to his room and he never rallied from them. Mr. Wheeler was sixty seven years old and had been a resident of this city for a number of years. He has a sister in Indianapolis who is reputed to be worth some money and she has been telegraphed to come over. The funeral occurs from the A. M. E. Church this afternoon at 3 o’clock. Interment will be at Masonic Cemetery. - thanks to S for these other two great ones to make Ephraim a bit more liveable for us all :)
Source: Crawfordsville Weekly Journal Friday, 10 February 1899
The day after Eph Wheeler, the well known colored barber, died, Zach Williams came into court and had himself appointed administrator of the estate of the deceased. Eph’s property left behind in this vale of tears was not particularly large but still there were a number of “purties” in the shape of razors, watches, and similar chattels. It was the charitable intention of Mr. Williams to sell this property and turn the proceeds over to a woman who had tended Eph in his last sickness and had been a friend to him in other ways too tedious to mention. This philanthropic purpose did not appeal to the legal judgment of Constable Byers, however, and he entered an indignant protest to any such carryings on. Mr. Williams, armed with his letters of administration, gave him the merry horse laugh and went right on gathering up armloads of trumpery belonging to the estate. He had a clear deck until last Tuesday, when Constable Byers received a letter from Mrs. Rachel Collings, the sister of Wheeler, who instructed him to tell Mr. Williams to get out and “let her property alone.” She lives in Indianapolis and declares that she has secured legal aid to push her claim as the heir at law. Tillie Mansfield, the woman whom Mr. Williams represents, will probably file a claim against the estate and endeavor to get what is due her in this manner. In her letter to Constable Byers, Mrs. Collins spoke very harshly of Mr. Williams and called him some very rude names.