Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 285, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 December 1918 — CLIMBS FENCE; GUN DISCHARGES [ARTICLE]

CLIMBS FENCE; GUN DISCHARGES

SON OF MRS. NELLIE MESSMAN ACCIDENTLY KILLED MONDAY AFTERNOON. A terrible accident in which Chuck Messman lost his life, occurred some time Monday afternoon, Dec. 2. Young Messman, who was about 15 years of age, took Ms gun and dog and went hunting Monday afternoon. He did not return in the evening. Why search was not made for him we do not know. However, Tuesday morning some boys started to look for him and found the body lying by a wire fence in the Dinwiddie pasture, just east of town. The boys ixpmediately rushed to town with the startling news and a crowd repaired to the scene. The boy’s body was found lying near the fence and his hat and dog were lying on the other side. Everything indicates that in climbing the fence and dragging his gun with him it was discharged, Jailing him instantly, the charge entering near the right temple and making a frightful wound. The body had 'laid there all night and the faithful .dog had 'kept vgiil on the opposite side of the fence. The accident occurred about 200 yards from where Fred Mohr was electrocuted several months ago.

Much sympathy is felt for the widowed mother,, who resides in the east part of town, and the unfortunate affai ris one of the saddest that has occurred in tins community.— Fowler Tribune.