| The 1860 headline read "Lewis Schaffer Killed in Sawmill Accident"
(The Democrat, Weston, W. Va. January 25, 1869)
On the 14th inst., we are informed, Mr. Lewis Schaffer, formerly a resident of this place, met with a most horrible death. The steam saw-mill, of which Mr. Schaffer was one of the proprietors, is situated near Granstville, in Calhoun County; and it appears that Mr. Schaffer exercised a general supervision over the concern, and, while attending to the saw, his attention was attracted from his work, and in his alarm, when he saw his close proximity to the saw, he fell, and, unfortunately for the poor fellow, so close to the terrible instrument, that ere he had time to arise, it had him in its clutches, when of course, but a moment was necessary to tear his body asunder. It is hardly probable that he experienced the slightest pain, for his death was almost instantaneous. We learn that Mr. Schaffer leaves a wife and family.
Some months late The Democrat reported that "Lewis Schaffer Not Dead"
(The Democrat, Lewis County WV, April 5, 1869).
Our readers will recollect that some time ago we noticed the tragic death of a Mr. Lewis Schaffer, formerly a citizen of this place, who was reported to us as killed at his saw-mill in Calhoun County. The gentleman paid us a visit a few days ago, and after shaking hands with him, and noting the extreme regularity of his pulse, we came to the conclusion that there must have been some mistake. While we are opposed constitutionally to spoiling a good story, even of a melancholy death, we are glad to announce that our Calhoun reporter, in this case, relied a little too much on his imaginative powers.
"Mrs. Connolly Killed" (The Democrat, Lewis County WV, March 29, 1869)
A most distressing accident occurred near Grantsville in Calhoun County, on Friday, the 12th which resulted in the death of a highly respectable lady, at the hands of her husband.
The name of the unfortunate woman was Mrs. Connolly. Her husband, Martin Connolly, stated on his examination before the Coroner, that on the morning of the accident he was going squirrel hunting and had taken down his rifle to clean it. The gun was loaded and capped, and while lying across his knees, he accidentally struck the lock and it went off - the ball passing through the heart of his wife, killing her instantly.
At the time of the occurrence, Connolly and his wife and a small child were the only persons present. The Coroner's jury found a verdict of "accidental killing;" and as a consequence, no further legal steps have yet been taken.
Mrs. Connolly is spoken of by her neighbors as being a good woman in every respect.
We are informed that Connolly, a few years ago, quarreled with his wife, and finally left her, and that since his return their quarrels have been frequent. The people generally, however, believe that the verdict was a correct one.
The Wheeling Register reported in 1895 that "F.N. Hayes Horse Killed."
Nipper was a valuable running horse belonging to F. N. Hayes of Gilmer county, collided with a buggy in act of crossing the race track at the Calhoun Fair this morning and was killed. Nipper's time was up.
"Johnson Yoak Killed by Horse" (Wheeling Register 1895)
Johnson Yoak, son of Rev. Elias Yoak, was kicked in the breast to-day by a vicious horse and received probably fatal injuries. He is being cared for at the hospitable home of Reece Blizzard, but no hopes are entertained of his recovery.
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