R. W. Hutchcraft, 1832-1907.  Margaret, his wife, 1838-1918.  Paris Cemetery, Bourbon County, Kentucky.

The Bourbon News, Paris, Kentucky

February 12, 1907

Judge R. W. Hutchcraft Dies Suddenly

A telegram was received here Saturday morning from Dr. J. Ed. Ray, of Galatia, Col., announcing the death of Judge R. W. Hutchcraft, which was a shock to the immediate members of his family in this city. He died suddenly Friday night of neuralgia of the heart.

Judge Hutchcraft was born in this county seventy-five years ago, and was the son of the late James Hutchcraft. He is survived by his wife, formerly Miss Fleming, of Fleming County, and one young daughter, and two sons and one daughter by his first wife, who was a Miss Croxton. Mr. Perry Hutchcraft, of this city, Mr. Harry Hutchcraft, of Louisville, and Miss Annie Hutchcraft, of this city; also by three sisters and one brother, Mrs. Mary F. Hedges, Mrs. Russell Mann, Mrs. Hattie Hutchcraft Hill, all of this city, and Mr. Sam Hutchcraft, of the state of Washington.

When the Civil War broke out he was living in Iowa, and raised a company in that state and entered the Federal army. Captain Hutchcraft was noted for his bravery on the battlefield. Shortly after the war began he received a severe wound in the arm which incapacitated him from further duty in the field and he resigned his commission and returned to Paris, where he was in some manner connected with the Provost Marshal’s office. He was a popular man and well liked by a large circle of friends in this county.

Judge Hutchcraft was here at the recent home-coming gathering and enjoyed mixing with his old boyhood friends, and little it was thought that he would so soon be called to pass over the river. He was county Judge of Kioa County, Colorado, for a number of years and was holding that office at the time of his death.

His remains will reach this city this afternoon, accompanied by Mrs. Hutchcraft and her daughter and his son-in-law, Mr. Arthur Stanard. Judge Hutchcraft was a charter member of Garth Lodge, A. O. U. W., of this city, and carried a $2,000 policy. His receipt for the last payment of dues was mailed to him on Thursday last.

Funeral services will be held at the Methodist Church, Wednesday afternoon at 2 o’clock, conducted by Rev. J. T. Strother, assisted by Elder Carey E. Morgan. The remains will be taken charge of by the Masonic and A. O. U. W. lodges. Burial at Paris Cemetery.

Sue C., wife of R. W. Hutchcraft, born November 4, 1835, died April 13, 1864.  Paris Cemetery, Bourbon County, Kentucky.

The Bourbon News, Paris, Kentucky

Tuesday, October 1, 1907

An Estimable Lady Dies

Mrs. Fannie Hutchcraft Hedges, aged 77, was found dead Friday morning in her chair at the home of her sister, Mrs. Russell Mann, on Pleasant Street. She had been subject to attacks of heart failure for several years and only recently recovered from a very severe attack.

She arose early Friday, as was her custom, and coming down stairs greeted the family, talking pleasantly and appeared in unusual good health. She repaired to the library and not responding at the call of the bell announcing breakfast, Judge Mann went to the front of the house thinking she might be sitting on the front veranda. He looked into the library and observed Mrs. Hedges sitting in her chair and called to her that breakfast was ready. Receiving no response he went to her side when he discovered she was dead.

Mrs. Hedges was the daughter of James Hutchcraft who was a brother to Reuben and Jack Hutchcraft, all prominent citizens of the county before the war, and is survived by two sisters, Mrs. Hattie Hutchcraft Hill and Mrs. Russell Mann, and one brother, Samuel Hutchcraft, of Seattle, Washington. She married Henry Hedges, son of the late Peter Hedges and moved to Indianola, in 1851, where her husband died in 1878. Mrs. Hedges returned to her native state making her home with her sister. At the age of twelve years Mrs. Hedges united with the Christian Church under the preaching of Elder John A. Gano, and has lived a consistent Christian life. She was a woman much esteemed for her Christian character and many acts of charity.

The funeral took place from the residence Sunday at 3 o’clock p.m., services being conducted by Elder John S. Sweeney. The interment was in the Paris Cemetery. The pall-bearers were: J. P. Hutchcraft, H. D. Hutchcraft, Whittington Mann, Ray Mann, Dr. F. M. Faries and John T. Hedges.