Stoughton, James Couter, 1838-1897

STOUGHTON, ANDREWS, BARR

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 7/5/2014 at 08:12:04

Fatal Accident.

On last Friday [October 8] about eleven o'clock occurred an accident which brought death to J. C. Stoughton, of this city. He was assisting in digging a ditch on the Gardner farm north of town when the workmen came upon the location of an old well which appeared to have filled up and to be perfectly solid. While Mr. Stoughton was digging on the spot, however, the ground beneath him gave way and he fell into a cavity to a depth of twenty feet. The earth from the sides and that which had concealed the terrible death trap, fell upon him and before help could be extended, the unfortunate man had smothered. His body was recovered as soon as possible and taken to the undertaker's, hence to his home. The funeral took place Sunday from the U P. church, Rev. Jory officiating. A large number was present to listen to the sermon and also attended the body to the cemetery. By request of relatives we have waited to publish an account of his life till next week.

Source: Sioux County Bee and Rock Valley Register, October 15, 1897.

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The following week's issue of the Bee and Register is missing. However, there was some coverage in a couple of other area newspapers.

From the Alton Democrat of Oct 16, 1897: Rock Valley News.
J. C. Stoughton, an old newspaper man and for some time connected with both the Register and Bee of this town, met with a terrible death last week, falling into an abandoned well on the Gardner place north of town, where he was digging a trench. The well caved in and he was buried alive. He was about fifty years of age and leaves a wife and son. The funeral was held here on Sunday. Mr. Stoughton edited a paper at Elk Point, S.D., some years ago and was an able writer.

From the Le Mars Semi Weekly Sentinel, October 18, 1897:
Peculiar Accident.
Ireton Clipper: Last Friday about 11 a. m. while J. C. Stoughton and Frank Simmons were employed by Dell Thayer to dig a ditch for a water pipe on the old Joel Gardner place just north of Rock Valley a sad accident occurred causing the death of Mr. Stoughton. It seems the ditch crossed over an old well unknown to the men. The hole had been carelessly filled in above the curbing only, about six feet from the surface of the ground, leaving the lower portion of the well unfilled. The old boards had become rotten and while Mr. Stoughton was working over the well the boards gave away and without a minutes warning the unfortunate man fell to the bottom of the well and the dirt caved in around him. It was about two hours before help was secured and the body removed.

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Researcher Wilma J. Vande Berg found the following information:
1895 census: James b. NY, Henrietta b. IN and Frank born IA. From an account on Ancestry.com James C. Stoughton b. Nov 30, 1838, Braser NY, died Oct 8, 1897, Rock Valley. First wife was Jennie Andrews, second wife was Henrietta 'Etta' Barr 1853-1919. They were married Dec 28, 1876, Grondy Center IA. They had one son, Frank Arthur Stoughton, 1880-1955. James was the son of Thomas Alfred Stoughton and Emily Stonwell. Son Frank born 25 Sep 1880 in Iowa, died 22 Aug 1955, Belle Fouche SD.