Parents: Benjamin Franklin "Frank" Chance & Ella May Werner

Died: Aug. 10, 1901 e/Brems, Starke Co., Indiana

Buried: Oak Park Cemetery, Knox, Starke Co., Indiana

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Starke County Democrat, Aug 15, 1901

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Word reached Knox, Friday afternoon that the big barn at Nickel Plate, owned jointly by Wm. B. PHILLIPS, Wm V. SPEELMON and Aaron SPEELMON, had been destroyed by fire, and that Jossie CHANCE, son of (Benjamin F.) Frank CHANCE and wife, northwest of town, was badly burned in it. Dr.GLAZEBROOK was hurried to the CHANCE home and found the young man so frightfully burned as to preclude any reasonable chance for recovery. All that was possible was done to ease his intense suffering during the time he was conscience, and death mercifully ended his agony about 10 o'clock Saturday forenoon. The funeral was held at the residence Monday afternoon, conducted by Rev. REEDER. Burial was in the Oak Park cemetery. The Odd Fellows lodge of which the deceased young man was a member and chief officer had charge of the funeral.

A visit to Nickel Plate Saturday disclosed the following particulars of the sad occurrence: Jossie CHANCE had worked for PHILLIPS and SPEELMON's for six weeks, ever since haying began. His younger brother was also working there Friday. For some time he rode the two miles from his home to his work mornings and evenings on a bicycle, but lately drove his fathers horse and buggy, which he placed in the south end of the big hay barn Friday to remain until he was ready to go home. The barn was being filled with loose hay from the marsh, about 175 tons having already been put in it. Jossie was pitching hay from wagons into the north end of the barn, which was 76 by 100 feet in size. At 2:45 p.m. he with others to a pump about 200 feet south-east of the of the barn for a drink of water. While they were standing at the pump Jossie suddenly exclaimed "fire" and ran toward the barn. He entered it and attempted to take his horse 50 feet north to a large door in the west side to get out, but the flames swept over him so fiercely that he was compelled to abandon the effort. He then crouched near the floor and endeavored to get out himself. In this he finally succeeded, after being knocked prostrate twice by a wall of flame. When he emerged from the barn his clothing was almost entirely consumed, and he was so frightfully burned and suffering excruciating torture. He ran to the water tank at the pump and plunged into it to extinguish the few burning clothes that remained on him. He was then placed in a buggy and hurried home. Arrived there, with wonderful vitality and nerve he walked to the house. His burns were so frightful, however, that they proved fatal eighteen hours later.

Jossie CHANCE was one of the most quiet, industrious and generally exemplary young men in this vicinity. He was not very well known in Knox, as he did no loafing in town, being always at work. But those who knew him esteemed him highly. As mentioned he was an honored member and chief officer of the Maccabees, and carried a $1,000. Insurance in the order. Unfortunately he abandoned it at that time no doubt feeling in all human probability he would have no use for insurance for many years. His untimely death illustrates anew the uncertainly of life.

As to the origin of the fire absolutely nothing is known. The big barn stood on the east side of a bluff thirty feet high some 200 yards north of the post office at Nickel Plate. There had been some fire south of the railroad nearly a quarter of a mile away for a day or two, but the wind was not in the right direction Friday to carry it to the barn. There was no fire about the barn at all, smoking in or near it being strictly forbidden. The most reasonable theory is that someone dropped a match in the barn, possibly months ago, and a horse stepped on it Friday. Those who were present say that in a minute or two after the fire was first seen the whole interior was a seething furnace, which roared like a cyclone.

Five horses were burned, three owned by Noah BICKEL, one by Arnett CHAPMAN and one by Frank CHANCE. In addition to Mr. CHANCE's buggy, two wagons, a sleigh, hay loader, some corn and other property owned by Mr. SPEELMON were destroyed. Burning shingles were carried a mile or more. Mr. SPEELMON estimates the loss at $2,000. to $2,300, partly covered by insurance written by a Valparaiso agency.

Last updated: January 17, 2003

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