Abram

Died: 1888
"Supposed to Be Drowned in Lusk Creek. ~ The mysterious
disappearance of Abram S'BARGER, Friday night has been the
topic during the past week. He came to town on that day with a
load of produce, which he disposed of. Before leaving town he
visited the saloons and imbibed too freely of intoxicants. Starting
home he drove out nearly to the long bridge, but for some
reason he turned around and started back down town, when
he, certainly unconscious of his doings, drove along the
sidewalk on the north side of Mr. Rennert's dwelling. Here the
walk is thrown up about four feet with stone wall on the north
and east sides. He drove his team over, which caused the
wagon to upset, imprisoning him under the bed, so he was
unable to get out. Help went to him, however and disengaged
him. When he was made free he broke off as hard as he could
go toward the creek. One of the gentlemen who lifted the wagon
bed from him, followed for some distance, trying to get him to
come back. He replied that "Richter should not get him," and the
pursuer seeing that he was frightened and thinking that he was
Richter, stopped and returned home.No more was heard or
thought of him till the next day, when his relatives and neighbors
became alarmed at his absence and thought perhaps his team,
which had returned home safely, had run away and had hurt
him so badly that he was unable to go home, so they came to
search. When they got to town and learned of what had taken
place, they tracked him down the creek bottom about the brick
yard, around toward the bridge and at the waters' edge was a
track supposed to be his just above the bridge a few feet. He
could be traced no further.Then the news that Mr. Shufflebarger
was drowned in Lusk creek spread over town in a short time.
Search was made immediately, with polls, grab hooks, etc., but
without avail. After much dragging had been done opinion
changed as to where he was. It was then generally believed that
he had sustained injuries serious enough to produce
momentary insanity, and in that state of mind had wandered off
into the woods or corn fields near town. A reward of $50.00 was
offered for his body and the country surrounding was scoured,
but with only the same success as the dragging. After this
search, again attention was turned to the creek. Dynamite
cartridges were exploded for some distance above and below
the bridge and still his whereabouts was a mystery, and up to
the time of going to press he has not been found. Of course Mr.
S'Barger had his faults like the balance of mankind, but he was
a pleasant, kind-hearted gentleman, and one who enjoyed the
esteem and confidence of many friends."
Source: The above article was taken from, "Tramp's Pope
County Historical Review" ~ the date written on it in pencil is:
29 Nov 1888 ~ 02 Mar 98
"After an Absence of Seven and a Half Days, His Body is
Recovered From a Watery Grave. ~ When almost all hope of
ever finding the body of Abram S'Barger, who drowned in Lusk
creek on Friday night, Nov. 23, had fled, a bottle of patent
medicine, which the unfortunate man had purchased, for his
afflicted wife, was picked up at the water's edge, covered with
sediment from the falling creek, by Whit Reeves, Saturday
morning. Knowing that the bottle of medicine had been in his
possession, it was generally believed that the missing man
was in the creek and but a short distance from the bottle. A
search was made, which led to the recovery. Dynamite was
exploded very near to him several days before but it had not the
desired effect. His body was found about 150 yards below the
bridge, near the middle of the creek, by J.M. Laymen, Chas.
Kluge, and Whit Reeves. When brought out he was almost
natural as life, which seems miraculous when we consider he
had been drowned seven and half days. Judge Eldredge held
the inquest, in the absence of the coroner. The jury was
composed of E.C. Weely, Wm. Truebger, A.W. Walker, D.E.
Milliken, Charley Kluge and J.T. Rushing. Mr. S'Barger was a
well-to-do farmer, and leaves his wife and four children--two
daughters and two sons-- well provided for. His oldest son is
about twelve years old; the youngest two years of age, while his
daughters are about grown. Knowing that his folks had no
picture of their departed husband and father, he was removed to
the furniture store of Schenk & Reinhardt, where he was placed
in a chair and a picture made of him, after which he was placed
in a fine coffin and conveyed to his grief-stricken family.
Source: The above article was taken from, "Tramp's Pope
County Historical Review" ~ the date written on it in pencil is:
06 Dec 1888 ~ 02 Mar 98
Submitted by: Judy Foreman Lee
UdyDee43@aol.com