J. S. Ritchey, and wife, of Brown county, were drowned in a slough near Ripley last Saturday afternoon. They were attempting to cross the slough in a buggy, it being usually in a passable condition, but the stream was swollen by the backing up of Crooked Creek, and at the crossing was very deep. The horse had no sooner entered the stream than it sunk, taking with it the buggy and its occupants and soon all were lost. The bodies were recovered and a funeral was held on Monday. They were highly respected citizens of Brown county.”
Source: Barry, Pike Co. IL, The Barry Adage, Friday, November 18, 1881.