Adams Express Company,

Great Eastern, Western and Southern Express Forwarders.

 

Wheeling, W. Va. Aug 11^th 1865

W. S. Smith Esq

                       

Dear Smith

                                                Yours of 10^th recd this morning—It was a sad accident & terrible shock to me I assure you: how true that "in the midst of life, we are in death". I send you the published account of M^cKelveys death, which is correct in the main. I will try & give you some particulars. The most reliable account is from H. B. Armstrong, the printing paper manufacturer, you know him I expect. Says he had stopped at the toll house to pay his toll & our wagon was just going into the bridge he heard a noise & looking up saw poor M^cKelvey falling from the wagon to the / ground & on the side of his head & as he fell a small box about 12 or 18 inches square (the box he thinks struck him weighed 50^lbs) fell with him & struck him on the head on the upper side—the driver says he heard him call to stop & he pulled up within ten feet of where he fell. John White Messenger was with him, they picked M^cK up but there was no sign of life in him & he did not come to for 25 or 30 minutes A good Surgeon was near by and was called at once & never left him till after he died. We sent Charles Sims one of our drivers over he staid with him about two hours. M^cKelvey revived about half past one sufficiently to speak a few words to Charley. Charley asked him where he was in pain M^cK said "my head my head" when asked if he would have water he said "yes" & took about a table spoonful of water. it was only a partial return of consciousness for he soon relapsed into former comatose condition. As soon as Mr Stuart came from dinner & so I could leave some one in office (both drivers being over with M^cKelvey) I at once went to Dr Frissell, the best Surgeon we have & took him over with me. M^cKelvey was lying on bed in the LaBelle house & Dr. Todd was doing every thing he could do. Dr Frissell told me the fall or the blow from the box had broken the base of the skull brain—he died just as a man dies with appoplexy & any Surgeon can explain to you how the blow or fall & injury in the head & region of the brain would pro- / such consequences—everything was done that could be done—at three oclock I telegraphed Mr Bingham that he might not live two hours. I went back to him at once & he died just as I got there. I made all arrangements for sending him home on 10 P.M. train, had him shaved, washed laid out, bought suit of black clothes shirt & stockings, had him clothed & put in the coffin & in fact, Smith, I did everything I could under any possibility of circumstances do for any one & you can so assure the family & friends & be pleased to offer them my sincere and heart felt sympathy & condolence in their bereavement. We can do nothing more—we are all in the hands of a kind & merciful Providence—we have no right to question his acts but we have his assurance that he "will be the widows God & the Father of the fatherless". Please let Mr. Snively read my account of the accident. I am so much engaged I find it impossible to write an account to you & him both today & I thought perhaps you would be better able to explain all the circumstances from your personal knowledge of the place, the persons spoken of &c. I send the money found in M^cKelveys pockets with a statement of the amount &c.

                                                                                   

Yours truly &c

L. W. Stockton

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