Job GRAGG

GRAGG, BROWN

Posted By: Sharon R. Becker (email)
Date: 11/22/2008 at 20:09:57

Ringgold Record, 1897

DEATH of JOB GRAGG.

A Citizen of Lotts Creek Township Found Dead in the Road.

Job GRAGG, an old settler and pioneer citizen of Ringgold county, living in Lotts Creek township, was found dead in the middle of the road, about four miles south of the state line, last Saturday evening. He was discovered by Miles BROWN, who notified the justice of the peace, the county coroner in Worth county having failed to qualify for his office. The justice empaneled a jury who examined all the evidence in the case and returned a verdict of death caused by heart failure.

The facts, as near as we have been able to learn, are as follows: Mr. GRAGG had gone to Allendale, Mo., Saturday morning on horseback and was returning late in the afternoon with two other gentleman, one of whom was Samuel WALTERS. At the cross roads a few miles south of the state line the party separated, Mr. GRAGG coming on north. What happened after that will never be known. Miles BROWN, passing along the road at nearly sundown, found Mr. GRAGG's horse running loose, which he at once recognized by the saddle and bridle. He started on a search and soon found the dead body of Mr. GRAGG, lying on his back across the road.

The place where he was found was only about 150 yards from the cross roads. Death must have come very suddenly, as he had made no complaint to his companions of feeling ill before they separated. He was subject to slight attacks of heart failure, and the last one was of such severity that he succumbed.

The deceased was over fifty years of age [52 years 9 months, and 24 days], and leaves a wife [Esther] and eight children to mourn his sudden death. The funeral services were conducted Monday at 11 o'clock by Rev. BIXLER at the Hickory Grove church in Middle Fork township and the remains interred in the cemetery near by [Hickory Grove Cemetery]. The bereaved family have the sincere sympathy of many friends in their affliction.

NOTE: George GRAGG, son of Job and Esther, was born May 5, 1877, and died on March 18, 1917 with interment at Hickory Grove Cemetery. Frederick GRAGG, son of Job and Esther, was born in 1884 and died on September 6, 1899 with interment at Hickory Grove Cemetery.

Transcription and note by Sharon R. BECKER, 2008