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Peter Witmer Died in Nebraska in 1930 – Drank Lye & Survived in 1922
Posted By Norman Gasbarro on March 16, 2018
Previously on this blog, Peter Witmer was introduced as an addition to the Civil War Research Project. At the time, the following was known about him:
Peter Witmer (1841-1892) enrolled in the 9th Pennsylvania Cavalry, Company B, as a Private, at New Market, Kentucky, but gave his residence as Dauphin County. He was taken prisoner on 8 April 1865, but was present for muster out on 18 July 1865. Peter had prior service in the 87th Indiana Infantry, Company E and Company D, as a Private, but was reported as deserted on 3 October 1862. He was possibly married twice – to Angeline Overmayer and to a woman named Susan. After the war he moved to Indiana and Kansas, the latter state from which he applied for a pension.
It can now be told that his date of death was incorrectly reported! Peter lived a long life, and died in Omaha, Nebraska, on 27 January 1930. This fact is shown on the Pension Index Card, shown above from Fold3, and also on an application for a government-issue grave marker made, shown below from Ancestry.com.
In addition, searching the newspaper of Oklahoma, his obituary and one other interesting story was found. Both are reproduced below.
From the Lincoln Star Journal, 28 June 1922:
VETERAN DRINKS LYE WATER
Old Man In Critical Condition After Mistaking Water for Herb Tea
OMAHA, 28 June 1922 – Peter Witmer, eighty, Civil War veteran, mistook a pan of lye for herb tea he had been taking for rheumatism and drank of it.
His condition was considered critical, but yesterday he had rallied and it is believed he will recover.
Mr. Witmer said he was with Sherman on his famous march to the sea, serving during the war with Company B of the 9th Pennsylvania Cavalry.
And, from the Lincoln Star Journal, 28 January 1930:
PETER WITMER DIES
OMAHA – (UP) – Funeral services will be held Wednesday for Peter Witmer, eighty-seven, veteran of battles of Getttysburg, Peach Orchard, Shiloh and Sherman’s March to the Sea, who died Monday. Witmer was a private in a Pennsylvania cavalry regiment and served throughout the entire war.
Peter Witmer was a native of Lower Mahanoy Township, Northumberland County, Pennsylvania. Whoever gave the information for his obituary did not know that the 9th Pennsylvania Cavalry was not at Gettysburg, so, the information as to his war service is incorrect.
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News clippings from Newspapers.com.
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