Charles E. Hooker ^81,187

  General Notes:

BADLY HURT

Charlie Hooker Injured Internally by 900 Pound Piano Falling on Him

On last Wednesday while unloading a 900 pound piano at the residence of Ralph Lane's, Charlie Hooker was very badly injured internally by the instrument falling on him. Young Hooker was struck on the hip and crushed violently to the ground under the immense weight. Dr. Epperson was summoned by telephone and hastened to the scene of the accident and found Mr. Hooker to be quite badly hurt, and at this writing it is feared that his injuries will prove of a serious nature, although it is to be hoped that he is not as bad as thought to be, and that he will meet with a speedy recovery. (Published in the Browning Leader-Record)

No Word From Chas. Hooker Yet

Several years ago Charley Hooker was helping unload a piano when it fell upon him crushing him so that he was unable to be around for a year or more. After he mended enough to be around he accepted a position with the Baker Medicine Co. and has been with them ever since until last Thursday his father, Enoch Hooker of west of town received a letter from him saying that he would prefer a watery grave than to have his old trouble to come back. He stated where he would leave his team, books, etc.

Mr. Hooker left by the first train for Estill from which place Chas wrote, to find him. But upon arriving there he found everything as Charley stated and from there went to New Franklin where Charley was last seen.

Charley told the folks where he left his team that he was going to Boonville for treatment.

The last word received from Mr. Hooker was that he was in New Franklin but had got no trace of Charley as yet.

LATER -- Mr. Hooker has returned and in all probability Charlie has done as he stated in the letter.

There were several different stories about Charles Hooker. He disappeared and was never located. Some say he drowned and others he went to Denver, Colorado or maybe farther west. Another says he left home in a horse drawn wagon, drove to the Missouri River, where they found the wagon and there were foot prints that led into the water. They never found Charles' body or heard from him again.

  Death Notes:

Died down by the Missouri River

  Life Events:

1. Census, 1880, Jackson Township, Linn, Missouri, USA. ⁸¹

2. Occupation: Traveling Salesman.