JAMES W. PATTON PERISHES IN THE FLAMES OF HIS HOME. It becomes our painful duty this week, one of the most painful of our life, to chronicle the death of James W. Patton which occured at his home just across the Gallatin line last Friday night. It is not the mere fact of his death that gives us much pain, thought that of itself would be cause for sincere regret, hut the manner and the cause of his death. It is stated that he went to Shawneetown last Friday and while there imbibed too freely of whisky and brought a gallon home with him. His wife and little grandson knowing from past experience his ugly disposition when under the influence of whisky left home for the night. His only son who had been off to school but had returned home to spend the holidays, was visiting in this county (Hardin) so that he was left at home alone that night. Sometimes during the night the house caught on fire, just how or under what circumstances will probably be forever left to conjecture, and burned with all it's contents, including it's owner, who also perished in the flames. Some near by buildings such as the smoke house, coal house, etc. also burned. Deceased was a son of S.S. and Hannah Patton and was born about three fourths of a mile north east of Yellow springs school house in this county, some 53 years ago. He had been married twice and had had 5 children by his first wife, 4 girls and 1 boy, all of whom survive him. He had no children living by his last wife. His father died when he was a small child, but his mother who is 79 years old is still living. Mr. Patton was a man of many excellent qualities, high-minded, whole souled and generous to a fault. When free from the blighting and awful influence of a strong drink he was a model husband and father, an obliging neighbor, and a man whose industry and good management added to the wealth of the community, an important factor in good citizenship. He owned a good farm and had a large, commodious and well arranged dwelling, which was well furnished with such furniture etc., as is necessary to make farm life comfortable and happy. But his fine dwelling and it's valuable contents were reduced to ashes in a few minutes----a total lost. His charred body was recovered from the debris. Christmas Day and the day following, the body was brought to this county and buried in Angleton Cemetery, where his father and other relatives found a resting place. He was related to all the Oxfords, and most of the Pattons, and the Pages in this county. He leaves an aged mother, wife and five children, one brother and two sisters and a host of other relatives and friends to mourn his untimely and awful death. May this awful fate be a warning to others who are traveling the same road to stop at once before it is too late. "Roxie" >From the Hardin County Independent December 30, 1909 --------------------------------------------------------------------- UGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organizations or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Wanda (Patton) Reed