The Versailles (IN) Republican
Thursday, November 6, 1890
Four miles south of Versailles lived Joseph Cokayne, an old soldier of the war for the Union, who had recently moved into the neighborhood from Wayne Co., Indiana. On the 29th day of October, 1890, Comrade Cokayne, in company with two other men, went to a wood-land close by to cut some wood. A large tree was cut down, which in falling, bent down with it a smaller tree that on its rebound threw a broken limb with great force, striking Comrade Cokayne on the head, resulting in his death in a few minutes.
Comrade Cokayne had been a citizen among us only a short time, yet he had stamped the impress of an honest and honorable man with all who had made his acquaintance. He was a member of in good standing of Wheeler Post G.A.R. and was buried by his comrades in the honors of war in Clif Hill Cemetery at Versailles.
Comrade Cokayne was 51 years of age and was born in Wayne County, Ind. He served in Co. C, 147 Regt., Ind. Vols. In behalf of the members of Wheeler Post, we, a committee appointed to record the notice of the death of our late comrade, join in sympathy with his relatives and friends and especially his widow and orphans, whom we are pledged on the honor of a soldier to care for and protect. We are in duty bound to do this and as our comrades, one by one pass away, we who are spared, will, until the last roll is called for; nor will we forget their widows and orphans, and while we fully realize the fact that nothing can compensate for the loss of the husband and father, yet we would remind them that the country he helped to save has not forgotten to provide for the widows and orphans of its defenders.
From another unknown newspaper
Mr. Jos. Cokayne, a very worthy citizen who resided about a mile and a half south of town, was accidentally killed on Wednesday afternoon, Oct. 29th, by the falling of a tree, which was cut down for fire wood. The circumstances were about as follows: Mr. David Smith, his brother-in-law, was at work felling the tree and Mr. Cokayne and Albert Huntington were standing off some distance watching him, when the tree fell it struck a gum sappling bending it down, and witht he exception of a large limb, the tree fell to the ground. the limb which was caught by the sappling was broken off, and as the sappling bent back it ws thrown to the ground striking Mr. Kocayne [sic],[who] was just in the act of looking up, on the right side and to the top of his head, crushing in his skull. He lived but a short time after he was struck. It seems that those present waved their hands and cried out to Mr. Cokayne to step back but he was not aware of the danger that befell him. He leaves an estimable wife and three young children. The funeral services were held at the M. E. Church on last Friday at 2 p.m. Rev. J.W. Mendell conducting the services, after which the body was taken in charge by Wheeler Post G. A. R., of which he was a faithful member, and interred in Cliff Hill Cemetery, under the honors of than organization.