The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1900-07-18
Joe Thomas, Mysterious Death.

ity to whom the deceased was well and
iavorably known;
For some days last week (darkey) Joe
Thomas, the hunter, had been missing
from his usual haun's and some uneasi-
ness was felt for his safety. 1t was
learned that on Monday, July End, he
went out in the hills in search of rattle
snakes, from which to extract the oil.
That was the last seen of him until his
badly decomposed body was found on
Friday afternoon, July 9th. The partic-
ulars of the finding of the body are as
follows
As days passed and no word was heard
from Joe, several parties went out
through the woods in search of him. He
was found, however, by accident. Three
McClain boys and boy named Cook
were out fishing and in going down the
river when near the DEVILS Race Ground
came upon his body. They had smelled
it for nearly a mile up the river, but
had attributed the stencil to some dead
animal, The sight that met their eyes
when the body was discovered was hor-
rible beyond description. His body lay
upon rock and was plainly exposed to
the broiling sun. 1t was covered with
millions of bugs and flies, but had not
been mOlested by animals. The dogs
which had stayed near the body, except
when driyen home by hunger, had kept
all large animals away. Two of the dogs
had made three trips to Clarion and back
to the body. One had stayed with 1t un-
Ill the day the body was found.
Word of the find was sent to this place
and A. II, Cyphert, Esq, accompanied
by number of people, went oyer and
viewed the remains.
An inquest was held and the Jury ro-
turned verdict of death from accidental
shooting. Owing to the terrible stencil
arising from the decomposed body, it
was impossible to give the remains only
slight examination. He was found ly-
ing on rock, his gun near him with one
barrel discharged. huge holu torn in
his abdomau and the clothing all around
torn away. 1t was evident that IN climb
ing over the rock his gun was acciden-
tally discharged and his death was in
stantaneous. 1t is believed that the ac-
cident happened on Monday.
1t was first intended to attempt to
bring the body to Clarion for burial but
it was found impossible to do so. A
grave was dug near where the body was
found and the remains buried from sight.
Joe Thomas was a quiet, inofensive
fellow, "a white nigger'i He was
great hunter and supplied his table and
clothes largely by hunting and fishing.
tie lived alone back of the fair grounds
near Yingling'1 slaughter house and he
was employed by Mr.. Yingling to feed
his stock kept there. One reason for
supposing that he met his death OH Mon
day is the fact that he failed to keep an
appointment with Mr.. Yingling to drive
some cattle on Tuesday, something that
never happened before. Tho real facts
as to how he met his death and at what
hour will always remain mystery.
On Saturday L. j. Miller and others
visited Joe's cabin to look after his small
property and while there picked up two
letters which throw some light ON Joe's
past history. The letters wero written
by w. c. Stiles of Warren, o. One of
them was dated December l6 1885, and
expressed pleasure in having at last To-
Gated Joe and asked him how he would
like to go to Ohio and make his home
there. The second letter was dated Feb
ruary IA, 1899 and was evidently an an
swer to one from Joe. We copy the let
ter.
DEAR FRIEND;
IL was very glad to have your letter of
Jan. l6, as L had been trying to find you
for long time. l am pleased to know
you are getting along so well and that
you are both an expert hunter and gar
dener. l should very much like to visit
you in your little cabin. You take me
for brother Bert, who was sheriff so
many years, but am Willie, the one
who rode up to your masters home on
that spring morning and took you along
to guide us up the mountain to the
Rebel camp and forever made you free
man."
The letter goes on to tell of the writer
mother, Mrs. Stiles, who was then still
living at the age of 81, and about her be.
ing the first one who ever tried to teach
Joe to read. Mr.. Stiles again offers Joe
home in Warren, o, and asks him to
come and take charge of his garden and
his horses.
Few people knew much of Joe's early
history or that he had ever been a slave,
as shown by the part of the letter copied.
The editor of the JackSOnidn has written
to Mr.. Stiles and, he is still living, he
expects to get an answer soon, telling all
that is known Of Joes life before he
came here.
On Sunday undertaken +. Sloan Nc
Comb, accompanied by number o f peo-
pie, visited the scene of the accident and
lifted the body from its Temporary grave
and brought it to Clarion for burial. Rev.
q. b. Robinson was present and conduct
cd appropriate religious services, and tho
remains of Joe Thomas were laid away
i'll the cemetery on the hill.
Zinc and grinding.