Vancleave - Charles James - Montgomery InGenWeb Project

Source: Crawfordsville Daily Journal 7-3-1902 p 8

It is with much regret that we have to give the details concerning the death of Charles J. Vancleave, who left this place March 25, 1901 and went to Colorado for his health. Charles James VanCleave was born Aug 21, 1884 died June 25, 1902 age 17 years 10 months and 4 days. He was the oldest son of John R and Nannie Vancleave. His mother died when he was 8 years old and his father was called away 3 years ago. Charley was a bright, intelligent boy but was weakly constituted. His death was a shock to the people of this community. Fifteen months ago he went west hoping to regain his health. He was at the time of his death working for the American Beet Sugar Company of Rocky Ford, Colorado. His life was taken just as he was entering into manhood. In almost every letter to his relatives and friends he spoke of his good health and how he was enjoying life. He was assistant surveyor for the company under Mr. Cresse. He was taking a course in civil engineering and would have completed his course in a short time. Below you will find the accident in full according to a statement by Prof. SS Phillips of Rocky Ford. "It is with much regret that I feel called upon to give you the details of Charley's death. As you know he has been working for the American Beet Company ever since he came here. For 8 or 9 months he has worked with their surveyor. He has been a boy of excellent ambitions. On the morning of the 25th of June he went with the surveyor to the factory where they always report before going out to their regular work. Charley was sent inside the gate to do a small errand which he performed and had come back to the gate and was standing inside watching some men move some coal with a large derrick such as is used in moving stone, etc... (sorry rest is cut-off)