The good people of Grainger and surrounding counties were greatly distressed when the sad intelligence reached their ears that Mr. W B Harris of Tampico, one of the most prominent and highly respected citizens and merchants, was found near the residence of Mr. J F Cotner, on last Tuesday morning nearly frozen to death.

He was making his return from Morristown last Monday night and was in two miles of our village when his horse became frightened and threw him to the earth and it is supposed at the same time that one of his feet being hung in the stirrup and was dragged a number of feet by the horse. He was no doubt rendered unconscious by the fall.

In that condition he laid on the frozen ground all night and was found at 9 o’clock Tuesday morning nearly dead by injuries received by the fall and by the intense cold. He was speechless and his extremities were frozen perfectly stiff. He was carried to Mr. Cotner’s residence where medical aid was rendered.

He was removed to his home on Friday morning and the night following, congestion of the brain, stomach and intestines of a very severe form developed and on Saturday night when surrounded by relatives and many admiring friends, his soul and body were separated by the rude hand of death.

Deceased was a married man and leaves a wife. He was 34 years of age. The remains were brought here Sunday and taken to the residence of his sister where they were kept until yesterday. Funeral services were conducted by Rev. I A Pearce and the burial took place in Gray Cemetery.

Knoxville Daily Journal — Tuesday, January 25, 1887

Transcribed by Robert McGinnis and used by permission.