He Left Town in A Hurry

Looks like I found more details on the alleged embezzler, James Orcutt (1865-1925), my paternal 2nd-great uncle via his marriage to Samantha E. Metzner (1857-1890) in the Farmland Enterprise.  Farmland is in Randolph County, Indiana, just south of Jay County.  Looks like after Samantha's death, James went into a bit of a tailspin.

James Orcutt, timber buyer, who disappeared suddenly from Portland, is said to be a defaulter for a large amount.  Several creditors are regretting his flight.  Among the reported losers are John Ebert, $200; Fred Bimel, $250; William Humphrey, $300, D.L. Adams & Co., $104; Leonard Franks, $100; Shannon Rhoades $950; and Orcutt's mother, $685.  The People's Bank holds $500 of his paper indorsed [sic] by other parties.  Mr. Orcutt is said to have borrowed money from his neighbors, and to have used his individual credit wherever it was good for a dollar.

Farmland Enterprise, Farmland, Indiana
March 24, 1893, page 4

I'll have some interesting court records to dig into in Jay County when I get a chance.  Even his own mother was left holding the bag.

James married in December of 1893 to Nancy Mayo in Delaware County.

Sunday's Obituary: Mary Elsie (LeMaster) Atkinson (1872-1942)

Commercial-Review, Portland, Indiana, June 5, 1942, page 1

MARY ATKINSON DIES SUDDENLY


Heart Attack Suffered Friday Morning Proves Fatal


Mrs. Mary Elsie Atkinson, aged 70, died suddenly Friday morning at 10:30 o'clock, from a heart attack while she was preparing for a visit with friends in Ohio.


Death occurred on the LeMaster farm, one mile west of Salamonia, where she had spent the greater part of her life.


The deceased was a daughter of L.W. and Mary K. (Chew) LeMaster, and was born in Darke county, Ohio, April 26, 1872.


On September 15, 1894, she was united in marriage to Mathias J. Atkinson, who preceded her in death, August 24, 1923.


Surviving are a foster son, Albert Franks, of Detroit, Michigan, who was reared in the home, and the following brothers and sisters; Edith, wife of Henry Meinholtz, of Colorado Springs; Maude, wife of Dr. S.W. Phillips, of David City, Nebraska; Arthur (Art) LeMaster, of Portland; and Dr. D.W. LeMaster, of Sidney, Ohio.  Four brothers and two sisters are deceased.


The body was removed to the Williamson funeral home for preparation, and where it will remain.


Funeral arrangements have not been made, awaiting information from relatives.



Sunday’s Obituary – if you have obituaries of family members and ancestors, consider posting them along with other information about that person as part of Sunday’s Obituary. This is an ongoing series developed by Leslie Ann at Ancestors Live Here.