Smith Culbertson (1820-1896)
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Smith Culbertson (1820-1896)
“Mysterious Death of an Aged Man”
[Special to THE GATE CITY]
Douds, IA, Sept. 16
Word was received here Saturday of the sad death of Smith Culbertson of Birmingham, a brother of our townsman Wm. Culbertson, on that date. It appears that Mr. Culbertson, who was past 70 years of age and quite feeble, arose at about 5 o’clock in the morning Saturday last, went out in the horse pasture to a well, over which was a low curb covered with boards. After an hour had elapsed, he was missed and a search made. The well was sought and upon reaching it the old gentleman’s coat, hat, pocketbook and pocket knife were found beside the well, where he had placed them and upon further examination the body of the unfortunate man was found was found in the bottom of the well, head downward, with his feet sticking upward and out of the water. Death must have been almost instantaneous. The well was so small that many think that it is not an accident, but hold to the theory of suicide. An inquest was not thought necessary, yet the neighbors in the vicinity of the well claim the old gentleman has looked into the well many times before, with hat and coat off. Deceased was a good citizen and leaves a wife and many friends to mourn him..
Wm. Culbertson is in Douds, whither he went to attend the funeral of his brother.
Note: Smith Culbertson was born ca. 1820 in Ohio and died on September 12, 1896, in Birmingham, Van Buren County, Iowa and his brother William Culbertson was born April 17, 1817, in Holmes Township, Crawford County, Ohio and died on December 1, 1901, in Douds, Van Buren, Iowa. They were the sons of Samuel and Esther (Culbertson) Culbertson.
[Special to THE GATE CITY]
Douds, IA, Sept. 16
Word was received here Saturday of the sad death of Smith Culbertson of Birmingham, a brother of our townsman Wm. Culbertson, on that date. It appears that Mr. Culbertson, who was past 70 years of age and quite feeble, arose at about 5 o’clock in the morning Saturday last, went out in the horse pasture to a well, over which was a low curb covered with boards. After an hour had elapsed, he was missed and a search made. The well was sought and upon reaching it the old gentleman’s coat, hat, pocketbook and pocket knife were found beside the well, where he had placed them and upon further examination the body of the unfortunate man was found was found in the bottom of the well, head downward, with his feet sticking upward and out of the water. Death must have been almost instantaneous. The well was so small that many think that it is not an accident, but hold to the theory of suicide. An inquest was not thought necessary, yet the neighbors in the vicinity of the well claim the old gentleman has looked into the well many times before, with hat and coat off. Deceased was a good citizen and leaves a wife and many friends to mourn him..
Wm. Culbertson is in Douds, whither he went to attend the funeral of his brother.
Note: Smith Culbertson was born ca. 1820 in Ohio and died on September 12, 1896, in Birmingham, Van Buren County, Iowa and his brother William Culbertson was born April 17, 1817, in Holmes Township, Crawford County, Ohio and died on December 1, 1901, in Douds, Van Buren, Iowa. They were the sons of Samuel and Esther (Culbertson) Culbertson.