Samuel Hunter HICKMAN

INSTANTLY KILLED. Samael Hickman and James H. Smith Struck by Lightning Their Bodies Badly Burned. During the thunder storm, about half past five o'clock last Saturday morning, lightning struck a large barn on the farm of Mrs. A. M. Jarrett, in Fabius township, near West Quincy. Samuel H. Hickman and James H. Smith, who were in the building feeding their horses were instantly killed and the barn was set on fire and burned to the ground. The loud report made by the lightning caused the occupants of the farm house near the barn to run out of doors and they discovered the flames. The body of Smith was rescued from the building before it was much burned but Hickman's body was almost consumed. The legs, arms and head were burned from the body and all that was left were the charred flesh and bones Smith's neck was broken and every joint in his body was broken. There were also six horses and two mules in barn. Three of the horses were rescued but the other animals perished in the flames. The Jarrett farm contains some five hundred acres and had been leased by Smith who lived in Fabius township. Finding the farm too large to handle alone he had sub-let a portion to Mr. Hickman, a substantial citizen of Round Grove township, who lived on his farm near Benbow. As stated above the men were in the barn feeding their horses when the storm came up and death came to them without a moments warning. Mr. Hickman, was a widower, and about sixty years of age. His children are all grown. Mr. Smith has lived in this county some ten or twelve years. He was about fifty-one years of age and leaves a wife and six small children. We understand he was a member of the Hester A. O. U. W. in which event his wife will receive his insurance of $2000. The unfortunate men were buried Sunday, Smith at Hester and Hickman near Benbow. Hickman's funeral was very largely attended, there being ninety-four wagons and buggies in the procession, besides many footmen. The Palmyra Spectator, Palmyra, Missouri, 24 Jun 1897, Thu • Page 1, Column 4 (All above posted by Pam Witherow)

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