Miami Union
September 29, 1911
FREE, FERNANDO M. -
Casstown--A distressing accident which resulted in the death of Fernando M.
Free, occurred at Casstown Tuesday afternoon. Mr. Free was helping his
father-in-law, Henry Hart, to get a load of hay into John Boak's barn. It
was the intention to stop the loaded wagon outside the barn so as to unload.
Mr. Free was on top of the load and was driving. When the team reached the
open barn doors it plunged forward before the front wheels could be blocked as
it was intended and Mr. Free was caught by the low heavy beam over the door
before he had a chance to escape. In an instant he was being rolled over
and over upon the hay with his chest crushed and suffering much internal injury.
The team was stopped as soon as possible and the victim of the accident was
taken down and carried to the Boak home. It was seen at once that nothing
could be done for him. Physicians were summoned, but the fatal beam had
done its deadly work. Mr. Free lived almost an hour after the accident.
His wife was called to his bedside and, realizing his condition, Mr. Free said
that all was well and soon afterward sank into the sleep of death. The
victim of this terrible accident was about 50 years of age and was one of the
well known farmers of Lostcreek township. He retired from active farming a
few years ago and took up his residence in Casstown. He was a director in
the Farmers' Savings Bank of Troy and an Odd Fellow. He leaves a wife and
one son, besides four brothers and seven sisters. Being industrious he had
acquired quite a competence and had a large circle of friends. He was
identified with the Baptist church. The funeral services which were
largely attended were held in the Casstown M. E. church Thursday afternoon and
were conducted by the Rev. Wm. Bagby, the Baptist minister of Fletcher.
Miami Union
October 12, 1911
FREE, FERNANDO M. -
Remorseless time with sickle keen encompasses all mankind, and reaps them at his
will. Today we record briefly some of the ____________in the life of a dear friend and brother, who is the
full noon-day of life, has been called from the busy toil of temporal life into
the realm of the spirit word; and again we realize the truth of the Scripture,
"How unsearchable are his judgments and his ways past finding out."
Fernando M. Free was born Sept. 18, 1859, in Staunton township, Miami county,
Ohio, and was called from earth Sept. 24, 1911, aged 52 years and 8 days.
He was married to Mary Hart Jan. 31, 1884. To them was born one son,
Harry. He and his bereaved mother are left to mourn the loss of a kind
father and devoted husband. Mr. Free was a member of Union Baptist church,
having given himself into the Master's service in early youth, age 17. Of
his immediate family seven sisters and two brothers are still living. The
father and mother preceded him into the world beyond. It can truly be said
that he was a substantial citizen, a kind neighbor, always ready and willing to
aid those in need of help. While he was of an unassuming character, not
seeking the praise of men, yet he will be sadly missed, not only in the home,
but in the social and business life of the community. Let us cherish the
noble qualities of his life, and may we learn the lesson so well given by the
poet: "Act well you part, there all the honor lies." The
summons came with startling suddenness, but he was enabled to leave to his
friends and loved ones the evidence that all was well, and that, while he
lingered on the brink of the Jordan, his grace was sufficient.
How brittle is the thread of life!
How soon may our earthly house be dissolved!
May we so live that we may know that we have a building of God. A house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. And to the family and friends let us say that, although the realization of your loss comes to you with a bitterness beyond the consolation of human sympathy, may you look unto Christ the great burden bearer and be comforted.
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