Dr. J. B. Hatcher

HATCHER

Posted By: Sharon Elijah (email)
Date: 3/25/2017 at 09:06:19

28 March 1901 - Pioneer Press

From Cedar County Republican

Dr. J. B. Hatcher, for years a well known character about town, died last Wednesday, March 20, 1901, after a short illness. Mr. Hatcher came to Tipton about 1880, and at once sprang into prominence as a horseman--trainer and driver. He developed a number of speedy ones, Montague being the most notable. Old Almont Raven, the stubby legged, big headed, one eyed black stallion, formerly owned by Chas. Wheeler, was the apple of his eye and the idol of his heart, in those early days. He had an ambition to become a V.C. and studied for it, and commenced the practice here about 1888. He was very successful in his practice, and soon erected an "infirmy" where he had all kinds of paraphernalia for treating diseases in horses, and for a time everything the doctor touched seemed to flourish. In 1892 his barn, located on the corner where the feed yard now stands, was burned to the ground and everything the doctor had went up in smoke. Then the struggle and fight with the insurance companies began and as the chances of his collecting any insurance became uncertain he began to dissipate and lay the foundation for the habits that wrecked his life. Whisky and morphine wrecked his life, and very nearly dethroned his mind. Since about 1894, he has lived as best he could, in an old vacant house or barn, "batching it." He has, in a way, kept up his practice, but his habits were so irregular that few people would trust him. He was missed from the streets a day or two and Marshal Buck went to his room and found him delirious with pneumonia. He was removed to a suitable room and given every care, but all to no avail. Death claimed him. The funeral service was held in the office room of Preston & Moffit, Friday at 10 o'clock, and the remains were buried in the Masonic cemetery. The service was conducted by Rev. Shaffer. The deceased was a good hearted fellow and had some excellent traits of character. Let us remember his good qualities and forget the bad, and hope that his life will serve as a warning to young men who would get too familiar with the flowering bowl.