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From The Louisiana Riverside Press, 
Louisiana, MO
Pg. 3, Col. 2
January 15, 1885:

Drowned

An accident happened at Noix Creek Sunday afternoon which resulted in the drowning of one of the most correct and manly boys in this community. Young Cortez Headrick, aged 16 years, son of T.T. Headrick, of Culpeper, who, while skating near the wagon bridge in company with Isaac and Ernest Bacheler, lost his life endeavoring to rescue Isaac who had broken through and was then clinging to a floating cake. The boys unaware of the thinness of the ice and depth of the water at the bridge, had ventured too far from shore, when the ice suddenly parted and Isaac was thrown into the water. His cries attracting the attention of his companions and Cortez, the oldest of the boys, unhesitatingly went to his rescue as he clung the ice when it gave way precipitating Cortez into the creek. Thos. Littaker appearing at this moment threw a plank to Isaac, who fortunately grasped it and reached the solid ice in safety; but the poor boy who had so unselfishly risked his life to save his companion's was swept under and in an instant was beyond all human aid. His body was recovered about half an hour afterwards by means of a grappling hook, and conveyed to his home by sorrowing friends when a heartrending scene ensured; his parents and only sister being completely prostrated by the sudden blow.

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From The Louisiana Riverside Press, 
Louisiana, MO
Pg. 3, Col. 4/5
January 22, 1885:

In Memoriam.

Whereas, In the inscrutable Providence of God we are called upon to mourn the sudden death of our associate and friend, Cortez Headrick, therefore be it
Resolved by the First Baptist Sunday School, that we deeply deplore this loss of one who was an honored member of our school.
That we hereby testify our admiration of his character, and our appreciation of the nobility of his effort to rescue a companion, by which he lost his own life.
That we tender to his family our deepest sympathies, and pray God to strengthen and comfort them.
That these resolutions be spread upon the minutes of the school; and a copy to be presented to his parents. 
J. A. McCune, J. A. Johnson,
Secretary. Supt.

We learn this week that certain physicians had contemplated a desecration of the grave of young Cortez Headrick, whose death by drowning occurred 11th instant in Noix Creek while in the attempt to rescue little Ike Bachelor. As the unfortunate boy was in the enjoyment of perfect health at the time, his body was looked upon as a fit subject for desecration and with that object in view it was rumored his grave would be robbed. His friends anticipating the ghoulish proceedings, armed themselves and were so stationed around the cemetery that any attempt made to disturb the body would have proved fatal to the human devils. For two nights a careful watch was kept, without any one appearing, but the parents and friends not satisfied with the situation had the remains disinterred and brought home when they were were subsequently taken to the country for reinterment [sic]. It is said Mr. Peter Headrick's death on the ice, 15th instant, was owing in a measure to exposure while guarding his nephew's grave.

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From the Center of Broadway
by Paul

Don't Rob That Grave

According to a news item in the Louisiana, Mo., News weekly paper in Jan., 1885, doctors apparently were accused of digging up graves so that they could disect [sic] the recently buried bodies.
In reading over my wife's family history, which is being compiled by her mother, I was most intrigued by the following news story of the drowning of her great uncle and the fear of doctors robbing the grave:
"We learned this week that certain physicians had contemplated a desecration of the grave of young Cortez Headrick, whose death by drowning occurred 11th instant in Noix Creek while in the attempt to rescue little Ike Bachelor.
"As the unfortunate boy was in the enjoyment of perfect health at the time, his body was looked upon as a fit subject for desecration and with that object in view it was rumored his grave would be robbed.
"His friends anticipating the ghoulish proceedings, armed themselves and were so stationed around the cemetery that any attempt made to disturb the body would have proved fatal to the human devils.
"For two nights a careful watch was kept, without any one appearing, but the parents and friends not satisfied with the situation had the remains disinterred and brought home where they were subsequently taken to the country to reinterment [sic]," the article said.
This ain't [sic] all--more disaster because of the incident:
"It is said Mr. Peter Headrick's death on the ice, 15th instant, was owing in a measure to exposure while guarding his nephew's grave."
You can bet the doctors didn't take this blast at their professional integrity. Now here is a real letter to the editor:
THE DOCTOR'S DENIAL
Louisiana, Jan. 28, 1885
"Dear Editor:"
"In your notice of an attempt by some physicians to secure the body of young Cortez Headrick after burial, in a recent number of your paper, great injustice is inadvertently done at least by many physicians of this place. In that the imputation is to broadcast in its nature.
Therefore, in justice to ourselves we desire to express through the columns of your paper not only our disapprobation but the severest condemnation of this entire matter, as well as our regrets that such a cracked-brained individual who would contemplate such a rash desecration finds enough waste atmosphere to keep him alive."
Respectfully submitted by doctors of Louisiana.

© 2000 Rhonda Stolte Darnell