NAPOLION B. WHEELER
(1849 - 1893)
Gibson County, Indiana

Father: James Wheeler
Mother:  Eleanor Milburn

    Napolion B. Wheeler was the son of
James and Elenor Milburn Wheeler. His father
died when he was about 3 years old.  His
mother married Thomas Williams 18 July
1854. He was living in White River township
in 1880 at a Hotel run by Robert A. Hindman.
He worked as a railroad engineer. He married
Emeline Briscoe 12 October 1873. He died
June 1893. The following is taken from a
Princeton newspaper dated June 15, 1893--

Instantly Killed

"The fatal accident that befell N. B.
Wheeler, which is briefly referred to by
our Hazelton correspondent, is a most
distressing affair. He had been to
Wheatland on business and was on his
return to Hazelton. He boarded the
south bound limited express which
leaves Vincennes about 11:30 and
makes no stops until it reaches Prince-
ton. But the train slows up a little at
Deckers before crossing the White River
bridge and Mr. Wheeler being aware of


that fact, and being himself a railroad
engineer, thought he could easily leave
the train at that point and walk the
short distance from there to Hazelton.
But in attempting to carry out his pur-
pose he was thrown against a small
house used by the bridge watchman
with such force as to crush his skull,
causing instant death. Mr. Wheeler was
about 40 years old and was engaged in
the photograph business at Wheatland.
He was a son of Mrs. Ellen (Elenor)
Wheeler (Williams), and has several
relatives in this place. He leaves a wife
and one son."