James Ezekiel McCasland -- Died Young in an Unusual Horse Accident

 

James Ezekiel McCasland was the son of Thomas J. and Mary Stanley Thomas McCasland.  His mother, Mary, grew up on Donaldson Creek in Trigg County, Kentucky. She married Thomas J. McCasland from Hardin County, Tennessee and the family moved to Marshall, Searcy County Arkansas where James was born on March 6, 1882. His family later moved to Indian Territory in Maud, Pottawatomine County, Oklahoma, where he was living at the time of his death on January 7, 1911 at the age of 28.  He died as a result of a very unusual accident.  His obituary, which follows, explains it all:

James E. McCasland is Crushed to Death Under Animal

Death at all times and under all circumstances is sad, but when the Grim reaper stalks into our midst, and by means of a horrible accident; removes the flower of manhood just blossomed into maturity, then indeed is His visit the cause of much sadness and sorrow: The people of Maud and the entire community were shocked by the disastrous accident that happened last Saturday afternoon, resulting in the death of J.E. McCasland, son of Mr. and Mrs. T.J. McCasland who resides near the city.

The young man was riding a horse in a gallop and in turning a corner in the suburbs of the town his horse collided with that of a companion. The horse in falling caught young McCasland under the saddle and his head was crushed, causing concussion of the brain. He died at 8:35 the same evening, having never regained consciousness after the accident.

Deceased was a member of the W.O.W. order and was interred in the Cummings Cemetery Sunday afternoon, the local lodge conducting the burial ceremonies. The Monitor joins the many friends of the family in extending sympathy and condolence to the bereaved family and relatives.
Maud Monitor, January 13, 1911


THE LINEAGE:

(James was the son of Thomas Jesse and Mary Stanley Thomas McCasland and the grandson of James Clark “Muck” and Mary Elizabeth Josephine Lawrence Thomas.  James Clark was the fourth child of James Jr., and Margaret Ethridge Thomas.  James Jr., was the sixth child of James and Mary Standley Thomas.  Mary Lawrence was the daughter of Ezekiel and Polly Sholar Lawrence.  Polly was the second child of Allen and Jemima Bridges Sholar.  Jemima was the first child of Drury and Charity Cohoon Bridges.)