Wilcox - John H - Montgomery InGenWeb Project

Crawfordsville Dec 26 – John H. Wilcox, 69 years old, a veteran race horse driver, died suddenly tonight at the home of Howard Ellis. Last July, while attended the races at Edinburg, he fell and suffered a fracture of the hip. He was taken to the hospital at Columbus and later taken to Indianapolis. When he had sufficiently recovered he was brought to Crawfordsville and later taken to Florida. A few weeks ago he developed heart trouble and was brought back to Crawfordsville. He retired about 8:30 o’clock and when members of the family went into his room about an hour later he was found dead. One son, Charles of Chicago and four sisters survive. - kbz

John H, Wilcox (Jack) a well-known resident of Crawfordsville for many years, died last night  at 9 o’clock at the home of Howard Ellis, 308 S, Walnut Street at the age of 69 years.  Though ill for several months, his death was unexpected.  “Jack,” as he was more familiarly known was injured July 17 in a race at a meeting at Edinburg, Ind, he being one of the drivers that was mixed up in a spill that occurred on the track.  He was so severely hurt that he was taken to the hospital at Columbus, Ind, later being removed to a hospital at Indianapolis.  Here he fell and broke a hip and was later brought to Culver Union Hospital in this city. For a time he improved and was able to leave the hospital. However, he soon developed a severe heart affection and it was this that caused his death. Last night he was helped to bed about 8:30 o’clock and about a half hour later a member of the family went to his bedside and found him dead.  The deceased was the son of Levi and Ellen Wilcox and was born two miles west of Yountsville. When a young man he came to this city and engaged in the livery business.  Being a very successful horseman he later got into the racing game and for several years had campaigned string of race horses, being very successful.  His headquarters for a few years had been in Florida. He was a man of extremely jovial temperament and made friends of all with whom he came in contact. He is survived by one son, Charles of Chicago and four sisters: Mrs. Laura Blaine and Mrs. Mary Clarke of Tuscola, Ill; Mrs. Dora Meeker of Lafayette and Mrs. Alice Gilkey of this city.  Funeral services will be held at the home of Dr. Fred A. Dennis, 508 W. Pike Street Sunday afternoon at 2:30. Burial will be at Oak Hill cemetery.