Jacksonville Courier (Date of death 30 Mar 1916)

Resident of County Near Franklin Meets Death in an Unusual Manner Thursday

William Willerton, aged about 80 years, fell at the residence of his daughter, Mrs. Oren Seymour, southwest of Franklin, shortly after noon on Thursday and broke his neck. The accident happened near the house when Mr. Willerton went to the well to get a bucket of water. The platform had recently been scrubbed and he slipped, falling heavily. When his daughter reached him a few moments later, she raised his head, but he only breathed a few times and died.

Mr. Willerton was one of the old and substantial citizens of the community. He leaves three daughters and one son. The announcement of the funeral has not been made, but will probably be Saturday.

Coroner George W. Wright, who happened to be in the Franklin community Thursday evening, was notified of the accident and death, and Friday morning empaneled a jury at the residence and held an inquest.

The evidence of Mr. and Mrs. Seymour was taken, and their testimony being deemed sufficient by the jury, the verdict was rendered in accordance with the facts as reported by them.

It seems that Mr. Willerton had been in his usual health and Thursday noon ate heartily. Soon afterward he went to the well near the house, and his daughter, who was carrying in an armful of wood, heard him fall. She rushed to him, and as his head was hanging over the edge of the well platform, she held it up. Mr. Willerton gasped a few times and died. Mrs. Seymour called to her husband, who came at once from his work. With the aid of Mrs. Seymour he carried Mr. Willerton inside the summer kitchen near and they bathed his face and in other ways tried to restore him to life. Mr. Seymour testified that it was his belief that Mr. Willerton's neck was broken in the fall.

The verdict of the jury was that he "came to his death from an accidental fall on the well platform caused from slippery boards and all indications point that death was caused from a broken neck." The jury was composed of F.S. Tribble, foreman; Burley F. Wright, clerk; Sylva Covey, Vessie Covey and George N. Seymour.

From Jacksonville Courier (date of death 27 April 1914)

The funeral of Mrs. Margaret Willerton was held at 2 o'clock Wednesday afternoon in the Providence M.E. church in charge of Rev. J.W. Kettle. The music was sung by the choir of the church. The flowers were cared for by Misses Mary Lamb, Ruby Seymour, and Vivian Haynes. The pallbearers were Richard Foster, Marion Spires, Harvey Haines, George P. Seymour, Leonard Seymour, Dale Seymour. Burial was in the Providence cemetery.