Kafer, Doris died 1928

KAFER

Posted By: Mary Durr
Date: 12/15/2003 at 21:21:45

Doris Kafer
 
The Garber community was shocked on Friday morning, says the Guttenberg Press, when the word passed about that Doris Kafer, the six year old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Kafer of Garber, was accidentally shot and died instantly. The little girl, in company with three brothers, was playing in the attic, and just how the accident happened will never be known. It is supposed the children were playing "Indian," since the little girl was dressed in gay colors and had an old powder horn around her neck when found. The gun had been discarded for many years and had hung in the attic for almost 20 years. It was not capped, so it was not thought dangerous to have it hung there, although Mr. Kafer was aware that it had never been discharged. The little girl received the full charge of the gun in her chest and death was instantaneous.

Postville Herald newspaper clipping, hand dated Aug. 1928, from my mother's obituary collection.

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Added by S. Ferrall 3/14/2025:

Garber, Iowa - Our community was shocked Friday morning when the word passed through town that Doris Kafer, the six year old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Kafer of his vicinity was accidentally shot.

Just how the accident occurred will never be known, but i is thought that Doris who together with three other brothers were in the attic, were playing "Indian," since the little girl when found was wearing gay colored ribbons and had a powder horn around her neck, and in some way the gun was discharged during their game.

The gun was an old one, having been discarded many years ago and it had hung in the attic for almost twenty years. It was not thought dangerous, because it was not capped, altho Mr. Kafer was aware that it had never been discharged. The little girl received the full charge of the shot in her chest and death was instantaneous. Her mother, hearing the cries of the other children, rushed to her and a doctor was summoned immediately, but all to no avail.

Doris had a loving disposition and made many friends both among the little folks and older people. She had just begun school and will be sadly missed by her little schoolmates.

Besides her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Kafer, Doris is survived by two sisters, Mary and Alberta, and five brothers, Clarence, Lawrence, Lester, Joseph and Elmer.

Funeral services were held at St. Michael's church on Monday morning, with Rev. Wm. Goetzinger officiating. Interment was made in the Catholic cemetery at Elkport. Six little friends aced as pall bearers, Zala Berns, Clotilda Stroschein, Jeanette Meyer, Dorothy Costigan, Doloras Hall, Eileen Hall. The sympathy of the entire community is extended to the bereaved family in their sorrow.

~Clayton County Register, Thursday morning, August 23, 1928; pg 1