In recent weeks, The Papers Inc. published an insert entitled “Lincoln for a Lincoln,” written by a man named Neil Olson.

The letter chronicled the accident of Joe Morehead, Milford, who fell from a tree stand while hunting on Dec. 1. “Joe had grabbed a tree branch as he started to step from the platform to the ladder to descend from the tree stand, the branch broke and he fell approximately 18 feet,” Olson said in his letter. “I heard a horrendous crash and before I could decide what that noise was, I heard Joe screaming.”

Emergency response vehicles were contacted while Morehead stayed on the phone with his wife, Jane. He was flown to Parkview Hospital in Fort Wayne for medical treatment.

“After some tense hours, Joe was assessed and found to have fractured his left shoulder where he had a partial replacement last year, six broken ribs, multiple fractures to the pelvis, two fractures to his lower back, ruptured bladder and damage to his spleen,” Olson wrote. Morehead also had blood clotting in his upper arms.

“It was ugly,” Morehead admitted, “but I still have to praise the Lord, it could have been a whole different story.”

The letter from Olson to the community, encouraged people to send in $5 or a “Lincoln” in exchange for a penny, also featuring Abraham Lincoln, to help with mounting medical debt. The response so far has been incredible, with around $4,800 raised since the Jan. 29 issue of The PAPER ran the insert.

“God has blessed me so much, Jane and I, since this happened,” Morehead said. “Somebody’s there all the time.”

Morehead gets visits from family and community members. He’s appreciated help with meals and getting around so far. But the recovery process is far from over.

“I’m finding things that hurt now that didn’t hurt before; my left heel’s numb. I’m so tired of being down,” the former Bruce’s Marathon station mechanic and part-owner of the old ARCO station (now Freedom Express) in Leesburg said. “The only real hobby I have is hunting. I don’t intend to quit, but I’ll try to do it a little more safely.”

Doctors have told Morehead that he should be able to walk soon.

“I’m anxious to get up,” Morehead said. “I had so many things that were broke, but so many more that weren’t broke.”

Morehead had worked for Elkhart County as a truck driver prior to his accident. His position has been filled since then, so Morehead has no job to go back to after his injuries have healed, but finances are still the same and medical debt is rising.

Olson, Joe Shetler and the “Boat Crew” – as Morehead calls his group of friends – have been working to set up a haystack supper fundraiser at Milford Chapel for the community. They hope to bring in more funds to help Morehead maintain his life in the wake of the recent tragedy. More information will be available on the haystack supper once plans are finalized.