Obit: 18 January 1897; Evening Republican, Decatur, Macon County, Illinois
SUDDENLY KILLED.
Uriah Edgecomb, a Farmer, Met With a Peculiar Death Last Evening
STRUCK ON THE FOREHEAD
By a Barn Door and Instantly Killed
Leaves a Large Family and Was Well Known in This County–Inquest Today
Uriah Edgecomb, a well known farmer living on the J.R. Race place two and a half miles northeast of the city, met with a peculiar death Sunday evening. He was killed by being struck on the head by a barn door.

Mr. Edgecomb had a number of visitors at his place Sunday. Among them were his brother, R.W.Edgecomb, and his father-in-law, Leonard Foutz and family of LaPlace. The younger members of the household had left the place about 8 o'clock to go to the depot with Miss Cora Overly, a young lady who has been living at the Edgecomb place and who was going to Danville to teach school. Mrs. Edgecomb noticed that the barn doors had been left open and mentioned the fact to her husband. Mr. Edgecomb and his brother went to the barn to close the doors. A small entrance was closed and an attempt was made to close a large door. It was hooked to the side of the barn to keep it from blowing shut. R.W. Edgecomb unhooked the door and as the wind was very strong he could scarcely hold it. Uriah Edgecomb saw that his brother was making a great effort to hold the door and called to him to let it blow shut. Mr. Edgecomb evidently thought he was out of the way but he was standing just within the range of the door and it struck him between the eyes. As he fell he said "Oh Dear Me." and never spoke again. Mrs. Edgecomb was called and the injured man was carried to the house. He expired in a few moments without regaining consciousness. His death being so sudden was a great shock to the family.

Coroner Bendum? was notified of the accident and went to the place this morning. An inquest was held this afternoon at 2:30 o'clock. The remains will be taken to LaPlace tomorrow for burial.

Uriah Edgecomb was well known in this county. He has lived in this part of the state for more than thirty years past and was known as a prosperous farmer. He lived for many years near LaPlace and has been on the Race farm for the past two years. He leaves a wife and eight children. They are Uriah of the state of Washington, Leonard, Robert and Samuel Edgecomb, and May Elsie, Cora (should be Dora) and Rhoda Edgecomb, all living on the home place. One son and one daughter was employed in the city. They were notified of the death of their father last evening. The deceased was 50 years old.

It is not known why Uriah's family began adding an "e" to the end of Edgecomb.