Welcome Hammond, son of Amos and Lucretia Hammond, was born in Rollin, January 21, 1855 and died in Adrian, October 25, 1902, at the age of 47 years, 1 month and 4 days. He was one of a family of nine. Four of whom survive him; Mrs. Mary Cole of Athens; Mrs. Jane Van Aken of New Baltimore; William H. of Evert; Frank A. of Rollin. He leaves a wife and seven bright children, whom he dearly loved, who will greatly miss their father. Welcome was a good-hearted man, a most accommodating and obliging neighbor. Never thinking of himself, he would suffer himself much inconvenience to be of service or in any way to assist a neighbor or friend. His worthiness in cases of extreme sickness was unsurpassed.

He was always ready to go, and was sometimes called to some of the most undesirable places for miles around, where he administered faithfully, and carefully nursed the most critical cases of weeks with untiring fidelity. Some of our worst wintry days and evening too cold and stormy for any one but Welcome to venture out, ho often among his heighbors the door was opened to admit Welcome for a little timely chat, or if anything was needed his hands were always ready to help. With only one fault, which was worst for himself, his neighbors all say he was a good man, and how much we shall miss him those who best knew his natural, everyday life can tell. His tragic death is a great shock to the community, having been violently caused by a runaway horse team in the city of Adrian.

Funeral services were held in the Rollin Baptist Church, October 27, conducted by the Pastor J. Ward Stone, A large procession followed with the bereaved family to Maple Grove Cemetery, where the remains were tenderly laid away at rest.

Runaway Accident at Adrian Friday Proves Fatal

The death of Welcome Hammond, one of the men so badly injured in the runaway accident Friday morning on Church St. bridge, occurred at 1:30 this morning at Prof. Thos. Wallace’s sanitarium. The remains were removed to the undertaking rooms of C. A. Cocklin, where a post mortem examination was conducted early this morning, in charge of Dr. A. W. Chase. He was attended by Drs. A. M. Stevenson, W. E. Jewett, W. E. Jewett jr., Jewett Williams, J. O. Johnson, Chas. Lards and Clarence Westgate. It was found that he died from internal hemorrages, ruptures of the liver and both kidneys being discovered. The remains were taken to the family home in Rollin.

Deceased was 48 years of age, and leaves a wife and seven children, as follows: Oscar, Louis, Eugenia, Mina, Maud and Mary, all living in Rollin except Louis, who is at Breckinridge. Deceased was born in Rollin and had always lived there.

George Lydamore, who was so badly injured at the same time still lies in a critical condition at the home of A. J. Kolz, on West Maumee street. The left leg seems to be paralyzed, and it will take some time to determine whether he is injured internally or not. The mayor and council are looking to his comfort and have engaged Mrs. Lay as nurse. Mr. Lydamore’s wife, son and brother are with him.- [Adrian Daily Telegram]

Funeral services over the remains of Welcome Hammond were held in Rollin Monday afternoon and the interment took place in Maple Grove cemetery in this city. The funeral was largely attended by friends and neighbors of the stricken family.

The friends of Mr. Lydamore, while deeply grieved over his terrible misforturne, will be pleased to know that the prospects of his recovery from the injuries he received, were much brighter Wednesday afternoon than at any time since the accident occurred. However, his condition is still of a very critical nature, and he is suffering much pain the greater portion of the time. Mr. Lydamore’s spine is badly injured and his internal injuries are of quite a serious character.

The accident which resulted in the death of Welcome Hammond and the probable crippling of George Lydamore, both of Rollin township, was of a rather peculiar nature. The two men had taken a load of potatoes to Adrian on Thursday and had started on their return trip Friday morning, when the team that is driven on the hose cart at the county seat, dashed out at the engine house without a driver and ran away, crashing into the wagon in which Mr. Lydamore and Mr. Hammond were seated, just as they were crossing the Church street bridge. The hose team had been hitched up for their regular morning exercise, and as they were excitable animals had jumped against the driver and knocked him down just as he had finished snapping the lines to the bridle bits. In an instant the horses were out of the engine house and with the light wagon to which they were hitched, made a lively run down the street until they collided with Mr. Lydamore’s wagon, throwing both occupants violently to the ground with results as stated above. It is said that the injuries which caused Mr. Hammond’s death were the result of being trampled by the runaway team after being thrown from the wagon. Mr. Lydamore’s wagon was quite badly wrecked, but the hose team and the light exercise wagon escaped practically without injury.

George Lydamore is one of the most highly respected residents of Rollin township, and he has the sympathy of the whole community in the misforture that has come upon him. He is still being cared for in Adrian as his injuries are so serious that it is impossible to remove him to his home. [possibly taken from Hudson Post Gazette, 1902]