Shelby  County  Indiana
Obituaries

Mefford


The  Shelby  Democrat
Thursday July 15, 1920
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ACCIDENT  FATAL
TO  WILLIAM  MEFFORD
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Aged Man Was Struck By Big Four Train Here
Early This Morning
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DIED  IN  PHYSICIANS  OFFICE
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Was Taken to Office of Dr. Samuel Kennedy
Following Tragic Accident at
Franklin Street Crossing—Warnings Not Heeded
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(From Saturday’s Daily)
         William Meffford, aged about sixty years, was struck by Big Four train No. 36 this morning at 8:15 o’clock at the Franklin street crossing, and died forty-five minutes later in the surgical room of the office of Dr. Samuel Kennedy on east Franklin street.  The man was hit on the base of his skull by the right end of the pilot of the engine and was thrown fifteen or twenty feet. The skull was fractured and the broken bones severed the jugular vein, causing him to bleed terribly.
          He was rushed to the office of Dr. Kennedy, where he was given medical aid by the physician’s assistant. Dr. Kennedy made a hurried trip to the office, but it was impossible to save the man’s life. He did not regain consciousness at any time following the tragic accident.
          Mr. Mefford was known by many persons throughout the county, all of whom knew him as “Bill” Mefford.  For the past several years he resided with  Mr. and Mrs. John Ballard, corner John and Noble streets, and since last winter he suffered an attack of influenza, which left him partly deaf, and blind in one eye.  Miss Emma Land, who lives at the Ballard home, stated following the accident that Mrs. Ballard had asked him not to go uptown, owing to a statement he recently made declaring he was going to Indianapolis and get employment.  Miss Land stated Mrs. Ballard realized the danger he would be in should he attempt to go to Indianapolis, due to his failing health.  It is also said that Mr. Mefford was mentally unbalanced at times, thinking every day was Sunday.
          A number of persons witnessed the tragedy and attempted to warn Mr. Mefford.  The watchman in the tower had lowered the gates when the train appeared and thought the aged man would stop. He was walking with his head down and did not look to the left or right as he crossed the tracks.  George Lee, a section hand, was working at the crossing and seeing Mr. Mefford walking on to the main track in front of the train yelled several times, but his warning was not heeded.  F. W. Ulrich, Big Four agent, who also saw the train bearing down on the man and told the employes in the freight office, a man was going to be hit by the train.
          The man had nearly cleared the track when he was struck by the right end of the pilot which extends out from the body of the engine.  The train was slowing down to make a stop at the passenger depot.  Had the train been traveling at a fast rate of speed, it is said the man would have been cut to pieces as he could never have reached the west side of the track.
          The train was in charge of  Ben Miller, engineer; Frank Smith, conductor;  C. B. Whitaker, brakeman, and  Ernest Collier, flagman, all of Indianapolis.
          Mr. Mefford was the son of  Mr. and Mrs. William Mefford, and was born in Scott County, Kentucky, 55 or 60 years ago.  He came to Shelby County with his parents and grew to manhood here. He worked in various parts of the county as a farm hand and became known by many persons.  His mother died in Cincinnati, Ohio about three years ago, and his father passed away in Iowa.
          The only surviving near relatives are one daughter,  Mary Mefford, of near Knightstown; one sister,  Mrs. Pet Kaley, of Price Hill, Cincinnati, Ohio.  Jeff Smith, south of this city, and  Claude Mefford of south Tompkins street, are cousins.
          Funeral services will probably be held Monday.  Ralph J. Edwards is the undertaker in charge.
[Buried Forest Hill Cemetery]
Contributed by Barb Huff


The  Shelbyville  Republican
Saturday July 17, 1920
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LOCATED  FATHER
AFTER  HIS  DEATH
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Rush County Woman Believes
William Mefford Was Her Parent
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SENT  LETTER  TO  RECORDER
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          Through a newspaper notice of the death of her father, William Mefford, who was struck and killed by a train in this city one week ago,  Mrs. Ellsworth Cole, living in Rush county, near Carthage, learned of his whereabouts for the first time in twenty-five years.
          Mrs. Cole states that her name was  Maggie Mefford  and that her father’s name was  William Mefford.  In a letter which she sent to  Oscar Howard, recorder for Shelby county, asking for information concerning the estate of her father, Mrs. Cole states that her mother died when she was a baby, and later her father placed her in a home here.  Later she was adopted.
          Miss Eleanor Alfrey, deputy county recorder, sent a reply to Mrs. Cole today giving her all of the information available here.  Mr. Mefford owned no property.  A gold watch, two gold band rings, and three cents were found on his person, when he was killed.
          Following is the letter that was received from Mrs. Cole who believes that Mr. Mefford was her father:
Carthage, Ind, July 13, 1920
Recorder of Shelby County:

Dear Sir:
          I have seen by the paper that a William Mefford of Shelbyville, Ind, was killed by a train on Saturday, July 10.  It is said he left a small estate and that one daughter, Maggie, survives. That is my name and my father’s name.
          My mother died when I was a baby.  My father placed me in a home at Shelbyville.  William Scrougham  took me from there when I was twenty-five months old and I made my home with them until I was married in 1912.  My name is now Maggie Cole.
          According to my age when I left home I will be 26 years old on August 17.  If you can find the records of this estate, please let me know how much and where.  My address is Mrs. Ellsworth Cole, Carthage, Ind. R.R.1
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Shelby County Birth Records
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Maggie Mefford  born August 17, 1894
Father  William Mefford
Mother  Cynthia A. Derrickson
Contributed by Barb Huff


The  Shelbyville  Republican
Thursday April 10, 1913
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          Francis E. Mefford, one of the oldest residents of this city died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Charles A. Curson, 116 North Vine street, Thursday morning at 6:30 o’clock, of senility.  Mr. Mefford at the time of his death was seventy-nine years and four months old and had lived in this city for the past forty years.
          He leaves one brother,  William S. Mefford, of Kentucky; two sisters, one son,  Claude of this city, and three daughters,  Mrs. Lulu Curson of this city,  Mrs. Eva Chamblin and  Mrs. Otis Spurlin, of Indianapolis..
          Funeral services will be held at the home of his daughter,  Mrs. Charles A. Curson, Saturday afternoon at two o’clock, the Rev. A. W. Conn officiating.  Interment will be made in the City cemetery in charge of D. B. Wilson & Son.
Contributed by Barb Huff


The  Shelbyville  Democrat
Monday December 7, 1896
Page 4 column 3
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          Jessie, [Tessa Pearl Mefford]  the five years and six months old daughter of  William Mefford,  died at the home or its grandmother,  Mrs. Sally,  two miles east of town at five o’clock a.m. Sunday, December 6, of lung fever, and was buried in the Liberty cemetery at eleven o’clock Monday, December 7. Funeral in charge of Edwards & Hageman.
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Shelby County Birth Records
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Tessa Pearl Mefford  born April 30, 1891
Father  William Mefford
Mother  Cynthia A. Derrickson
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Contributed by Barb Huff


The  Shelby  Democrat
Thursday, April 4, 1895
Page 3, column 2
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          Cynthiana, wife of  William Mefford, died at her residence in Marion township at six p.m. Thursday, March 28.  The remains were buried March 29 at three p.m.  Interment in the Liberty cemetery.  D. B. Wilson & Son, funeral directors.
Contributed by Barb Huff


The  Shelbyville  Daily  Democrat
Tuesday November 28, 1893
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          Fannie, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Mefford, died at their residence in Marion township Monday November 27th.  Remains will be buried at the Mt. Pisgah graveyard Tuesday November 28th, at ten o’clock. D. B. Wilson & Son, funeral directors.
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Shelby County Birth Records
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Fannie Mefford  born October 4/5, 1892
Father  William Mefford
 Mother  Cynthia A. Derrickson
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Contributed by Barb Huff


The  Shelby  Democrat
 October 8, 1891
Page 3
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          George R.,  son of  Mr. and Mrs. Ferris Meford,  died at their residence No. 240 east Washington st. at five o'clock, Friday evening, age 21 years.  He was buried at the City Cemetery services at the house by the Rev. Fillmore at two o'clock Sunday p. m.  D. B. Wilson, Funeral Director.
Contributed by Susan Kelley


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