Pony Express Rider

Source: Daily Morning Herald, Nov 21, 1867

DEATH OF JAMES BEAN HAMILTON "We are called upon to record another fatal accident" one that caused the instantaneous death of a resident of this city--James Bean Hamilton. Mr. Hamilton, Wednesday morning, went to Ullman's racetrack, in company with Sloan Young, of Savannah, to test the speed of a horse lately purchased by Young. While testing the horse, Mr. Hamilton was thrown from his horse and instantly killed. As soon as the intelligence was brought to the city, Coroner Berghoff repaired to the racetrack and held an inquest upon the body. A number of individuals who witnessed the accident were called and examined. The material parts of their evidence is as follows. That whilst on the lower turn of the track, Hamilton was ahead of Young, and raised in his saddle to see where Young was, his right foot slipped from the stirrup, and the horse giving a sudden start, Hamilton was thrown upon the ground and his neck instantly broken; his left foot remaining fast, his body was dragged some twenty feet, when those who were on the track approached him, but found that their services could be of no avail. In accordance with these facts, the verdict of the inquest was rendered. The deceased was a young unmarried man of about twenty-eight years, the son of Mrs. Hamilton, the respected widow of a regular army officer. He came with his parents to this city in his early infancy and has ever since had his home in St. Joseph. For a number of years he was a rider in the Pony Express and Overland Mail Company, and was looked upon as one of the most efficient attachees on the route. He had many warm friends in the city. The funeral yesterday was largely attended.

In 1867, a large attendance was recorded at Mount Mora Cemetery for James "Bean" Hamilton who for a number of years was employed by the Pony Express and Overland Mail Company. Ironically, thrown from a horse, Hamilton's foot caught in a stirrup. He was dragged twenty feet and died of a broken neck.