Bryant - W.J. - 1897
Source: Crawfordsville Weekly Journal Friday 18 June 1897
To the Editor of the Journal:
To many inquiries that are made to me regarding the death of W. J. Bryant, the head sawyer at the Henry & Corbin Mill, I wish to make the following statement: “The mill is situated on the east side of the Vandalia Railroad track just at the edge of town and there is a cut of four or five feet. On the east bank is a short walking board and on it is nailed heavy cleats to prevent slipping. Mr. Bryant was walking up this board, dinner bucket in hand, and his foot slipped from the board and he fell forward on his stomach and the large truss which he wore came against one of the cleats on the board, resulting in his death. We hauled him to his home and he told his wife how he was hurt and that he had now completed his labors on this earth. He gradually grew worse and on Tuesday morning he made his will, leaving all to his wife, Elizabeth, and at her death to go to her adopted son, John Minton and baby. He said, “Yesterday I was in good health going to work. Today I am making my last will and preparing for death.”
Mr. Bryant began work for me twenty six years ago and has been with me ever since. During all this time I never had a fault or a complaint of neglect to make of him. Always on time, ever ready to obey orders and make my interest his. He had proved himself a gentleman worthy of trust and confidence and in his death the firm of Corbin & Henry loses an employee we cannot replace very easy. He saved enough to make a good home, well furnished and some money in the bank. He was a member of the Christian Church, having embraced that faith in early life and was always kind and charitable to all and a man whose love and devotions were centered in his family and their happiness. The bereaved wife, son and family have the heartfelt sympathy of each and all of Mr. Bryant’s fellow workmen of the mill. Mr. Bryant was an Odd Fellow and a member of the Labor Union. These organizations and old soldiers turned out to his funeral and paid their respects to their departed comrade. We lose a most excellent citizen and a man of great worth in the death of our beloved W. J. Bryant.”
Respectfully
John A. Corbin