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Archiver > OHJACKSO > 2005-03 > 1111193875


From: <>
Subject: 1901 Jackson County tragedy
Date: Fri, 18 Mar 2005 19:57:55 -0500


Surnames contained: HILL, FORSTER, McKINNISS, TILLEY, WALDEN, BAKER

While doing some research at the Jackson library today regarding Civil War veterans, I came across this interesting but sad front page article from the Jackson Standard-Journal:

"The most dreadful calamity in the history of the county occurred near Wellston Monday night about 9 PM. All the details are not yet known but the circumstances are somewhat as follows.

Jefferson Hill, his wife, and 5 young children lived in a log house on a tract known as the Forster farm, west of Wellston. They retired early. The sleeping room was entered through another, and had no outside opening.

About 9 PM, a young man named McKinniss discovered the home afire and rushed there to assist the family, but found nothing but a little dog moaning most piteously. He could not enter the blazing building but heard no calls for help. Later when the fire died down, the charred remains of the entire family were found.

Jefferson Hill was the son Nathan Hill of Liberty Twp, who was a member of Co. K. 172 O.V.I. and died in a military at Gallipolis. His mother was Susan Tilley and he was thus a cousin of the Tilleys who are numerous in the county.

His grandfather, Alexander Hill, was one of the salt boilers of early days, and settled on land now a part of the Walden farm. Mr. Hill married Amanda Baker, a sister of Clem and Charles Baker, who has many relatives in the county. The names and ages of the children have not been learned at this time.

It may be noted that Mr. Hill was a nephew of Mrs Amanda Hill, who together with her daughter Elizabeth were burned to death at their home in Liberty Twp Jan 28, 1897."


Submitted by Anthony Coyan

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