Green Virgil Sims

© Kathy Duncan, 2015

Green Virgil Sims, son of John and Lucinda (Duff) Sims, married Mary McClure.

Overturned in the Street

As Virgil Sims, G.W. Yates and two other men whose names the reporter did not learn were driving west between Fourth and Fifth street, on Capital avenue, about 5 o'clock yesterday afternoon Yates, who was driving, being somewhat elated by frequent potations, began whipping the horses, which immediately started on a run, increasing their speed until, in turning suddenly south on Second street, the wagon overturned, throwing all the men out on the pavement with great violence. Virgil Sims was knocked senseless and the other occupants of the wagon thoroughly shaken up. Mr. J. R. Stuart and some other gentlemen passing by rushed to the rescue, and after some time succeeded in resuscitating Sims. The wagon in the meantime having been righted the damages temporarily repaired the party again resumed their journey, but in a more sober and dignified frame of mind.
[Source: Daily Illinois State Register; Springfield Fri. 3 Feb 1888]

Without A Warning

Death Comes Suddenly to Virgil Sims on the Street

Appeared to Be in Good Health Only a Few Minutes Before He Fell with Heart Disease

Virgil Sims, a gardener, living four miles west of the city on Jacksonville road, dropped dead about 5 o'clock last evening in front of C.H. Edmands' stove store, 515 East Monroe street. His sudden demise is supposed to have been caused by heart disease. He had been drinking during the day and this had an effect on his heart action.

Charles Hinchee was with Sims all day. They had visited a number of saloons and left Natterman's place to go to Gutzweiler's lunch room for supper. While in the restaurant Sims became boistrous and the proprietor told him if he did not keep quiet he would put him out. Sims quieted down and soon left the lunch room. He walked west on Monroe street but had gone only a short distance, when he fell to the pavement. Joseph Faro, a negro employed at Edmands' store, picked up the sick man and carried him to a stair way. Before a physician could be summoned the man expired. The police were notified and the body was removed to Bisch's undertaking parlors. Last night the Coroner Baer held the inquest. The jury decided that his death was due to heart failure.

George Gutzweiler testified that he did not know either Hinchlee or Sims. He said they were in his place of business and that Sims was boisterous and he told him to be quiet. He said Sims made the remark that he was a mighty good man yet and left the restaurant. That was the last he saw of him.

Joseph Faro said he was sitting in front of the stove store when Sims passed. He said Sims walked only a few feet when he swooned and fell to the pavement. He asked Israel T. Pearce of Curran to assist him in caring for the man and they removed him to the stairway. He said he was there about five minutes before the breath left him.

The testimony of Pearce was the same. The latter had known Sims for forty years and recognized him as soon as he was called to assist in moving him. Charles Hinchee testified that he met Sims about 11 o'clock in the morning and was with him all day. They had been drinking together. He was in the restaurant when Sims left and had heard Sims complain of being ill. Mary C. Sims, a sister-in-law, testified that she had never heard Sims complain of any ailment except a pain in the back and rheumatism.

The body will be taken this morning to the family residence, west of the city. Sims was 62 years of age. He is survived by his widow and several grown children. He is a brother of James Sims, who resides in the same neighborhood. The funeral will be announced later.

[Source: Daily Illinois State Journal, Springfield, IL; Thurs. 29 Sept 1898]