Brookings weekly register. (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1898-1903, 1899-07-13
FATAL ACCIDENT.
''Biily" Thomas Falls Under q Horses
Feet aud Dies From Injuries.

Feet aud Dies From Injuries.
While driving in the country Satur-
day morning BILLY" Thomas fell out
of the buggy and in some manner the
horse stepped on him and the same
evening the unfortunate man died
from the injuries he received.
For some time Mr.. Thomas Tor
Billy" as he was more familiarly
known) had been employed by p. G.
Murphy As stableman and had charge
Of Mr.. Murphy's stallion, Shadeland.
On Saturday morning "Billy" took
Shadeland and started for Volgs. In
some manner he lost his way and
crossed the ford south OF the bridge
on the Big Sioux river. Todd Water
house, who was working on the road
on the other side of the river, said
that when Billy" passed by he asked
whore he was going. BILLY" said
ITO Volga" Todd told him that he
was on the wrong road and directed
him to turn back and cross the bridge.
Mr.. Waterhouse noticed when BILLY"
turned around that he looked and
acted strangely. After recrossing the
river it Is supposed Mr.. Thomas was
taken with fainting spell and in
attempting TO alight from the buggy
fell forward over the dashboard and
drew the lines so tight that the horse
backed up and stepped on the mans
neck, cutting and bruising the same.
The horse dragged BILLY" some dis
tance after he had fallen to the
ground and then Shadeland slowly
trotted toward home.
Mr.. Elverude crossed the bridge at
this time and saw the horse going
along without a driver. Looking
down the road he saw man get up
out Of the grass along the roadside
and stagger about as though de-
mented or partially unconscious.
Driving down there he found BILLY"
and assisted him into the buggy.
With all haste he brought the injured
man to town and Drs. Collier and Rood
dressed the wounds. Though still
strong enough TO walk, very little
could be learned as to how the acci-
dent happened. After his wounds
were dressed BILLY" walked upstairs
In the hospital and was placed in bed,
but he gradually failed and died about
six o'clock. The funeral was held
Monday morning under the auspices
OF the W. r. c., Rev. Davidson, of
Volga, preaching short sermon.
The remains were placed at rest in
Greenwood cemetery.
From Rev. Davidson and others
who were more or less acquainted
with the deceased we have learned
particulars which 60 to show that his
life must have been an eventful one
and that he had been a remarkable
character.
VIM. Thomas was born In England
and was sixty-four years OF age at the
time OF his death. He came across
the ocean before the civil war and
took I'D residence In the south, but
did not take out citizenship papers.
He Joined the confederate army and
was captured. In some manner Pres
i6ent Lincoln heard that a British
subject was held as prisoner of war
and secured Thomas release, gave
him $50 and sent him home. For
seventeen years he travelled through
Europe with a circus and was with
Barnum & Bailey's circus during their
tour in Europe. He crossed the At
lantic twenty times with animals and
stock for the show people. He mar
ried the lady lion tanner and sixteen
years ago came to South Dakota with
about sc, 900 In money. Buying a half
section Of land in Beadle county, he
and his wife established home. One
day few years ago his wife was taken
seriously i'll and he went to Huron for
physician. On his return home he
found that the farm had been swept
by prairie fire, his home was In ashes
and the charred remains of his wife
were found In the ruins. Since that
time he has been wanderer and has
seemed at times to be almost insane.
1t is said that the farm in Beadle
county Is still in his name.
Those who know the deceased best
say that he possessed excellent traits
of character, was strictly honest aud
upright in his dealings. Messrs.
Mathews & Murphy are endeavoring
| to find out the whereabouts OF his rel
ativss, II any are living, and will also
look up his land interests.
It's q pleasure to add that though
stranger, the unfortunate man was
given a respectable burial at the ex-
pense Of some of our people.