Vancleave - James "Big Jim" - 1899
Source: Crawfordsville Weekly Journal Feb 10 1899 p 1
James Vancleave, familiarly known as “Big Jim,” was found dead Saturday at noon in his room in the Billman flats on Market Street. He had had a back room there for some time and Friday evening he retired about seven o’clock. He did not rise next morning and as the day grew old without his appearing, Mrs. Billman became apprehensive and at noon placed a step ladder at the door and looked over the transom. She saw Vancleave lying stretched on the floor by the bed, apparently lifeless, and she lost no time in calling in Officer O’Neil who unlocked the door and entered. He found the man quite dead. He had rolled out of bed or had fallen while attempting to rise, and had evidently died instantly. He was dressed in his underclothes and had presumably died some time in the night for his lamp was still burning. Sheriff Canine and J. J. Insley were called in and they took charge of affairs awaiting the arrival of Coroner Ball, from Waveland. He held an inquest Saturday evening. It is thought that Vancleave died of heart disease.
James Vancleave was about fifty years of age and was raised in this county, and was a son of the late Jesse Vancleave, a pioneer of Brown Township. The deceased was quite prominently identified with local democratic politics in his time and was deputy sheriff under Alex Harper.
Source: Waveland Independent Waveland, Montgomery County, Indiana Feb 10, 1899
James VanCleave, known all over the County as "Big Jim" was found dead in his room at Crawfordsville, Saturday. Coroner Ball pronounced the case one of apoplexy. VanCleave was a native of this township, was deputy sheriff under Alex Harper, and has been quite prominent in Democratic politics. He was about 50 years old.
Source: Weekly Argus News Feb 11, 1899 p 5
“New Market” news – James Vancleave who was found dead in his room in Crawfordsville last week was brought to his sisters, Mrs. Mary Brown. The funeral services were conducted by Elder Johnson at the Christian Chapel on Monday. Interment at Indian Creek Cemetery. Rev. Thomas Vancleave of Atlanta was here over Sunday to attend the funeral of his brother, James Vancleave.
Source: Weekly Argus News Feb 11, 1899 p 9
James Vancleave, a well known man about town was found dead last Saturday at his room in the Miller block, just west of the Ramsey Hotel. The discovery was made shortly before noon by Mrs. Billman who lives and has charge of the rooms in the block. She knocked at his door a number of times during the morning but received no response. Suspecting finally that something was wrng she looked over the transom and discovered the occupant stretched at full length on the floor. She hastily summoned Jack O’Niel who entered and found that Vancleave was dead, the body being cold. It is supposed that death was due to heart trouble. He was about town Friday but complained of his heart, stating that it had troubled him greatly the night previous. There is no means of telling when death occurred although probably during the night or perhaps early in the morning. He had on a suit of underclothing only and it appears as if he had just gotten out of bed when his heart failed. The deceased was about 54 years of age and was born and raised near New Market. He was the son of Jesse Vancleave and three brothers and a sister survive him namesly: Daniel, Thomas, Joseph and Mrs. (Nancy) Brown. He was a deputy under Sheriff Harper. Relatives at New Market were notified at once and they came up in the afternoon and upon instructions of Coroner Ball the remains were turned over to them. The Coroner was unable to come immediately but authorized Sheriff Canine and Marshall Brothers to make a full investigation from which he will render a verdict. – kbz
Source: Crawfordsville Weekly Journal Friday, 10 February 1899
Coroner Ball Saturday evening held an inquest on the remains of James Vancleave, who was found dead in his room. Coroner Ball found that Vancleave had died of heart disease. The gashes on his head and legs were made when he fell to the floor from his bed.
Source: Crawfordsville Review 11 Feb 1899 p 3
James Vancleave, one of the best known characters of the county, was found dead in his room in the Miller Block on Market Street last Saturday morning. He retired Friday night about midnight in his usual health. Saturday morning, he failed to arise as usual and about noon, Mrs. Billman who has charge of the rooms, became apprehensive and getting a step ladder she looked over the transom into his room and saw him lying on the floor. She summoned Officer O’Neill who forced open the door and found Vancleave to be quite dead. He was dressed in his underclothes and had either fallen out of bed or had attempted to arise and fallen in the effort. Death had evidently been instantaneous. Sheriff Canine took charge of the remains until Coroner Ball could be summoned. After the inquest the Coroner’s verdict was to the effect that the deceased’s death was caused by heart failure. James Vancleave, or “Jim” as he was familiarly known was about 50 years of age. He was born and raised in this county and was the son of the late Jesse Vancleave, a pioneer of Brown Township. The deceased was quite prominent in local politics and was at one time a deputy sheriff under the late Alex Harper. The remains were taken to New Market on Sunday from which place the funeral occurred on Monday. – kbz
Source: Indianapolis Journal Sun Feb 5, 1899 p 7
Crawfordsville, Ind Feb 4 – James Vancleave was found dead this morning in his room in the Billman House. He had not been feeling well and heart disease caused death during the night. He was a former deputy sheriff and prominent Democrat.
CW? A James M. Vancleave enlisted in the 10th Indiana Infantry Co B mustered in 18 Sept 1861 discharged 9 March 1863 because of disability. Began pension Oct 2, 1882 – also in Co B 11th Indiana