Dunn, James Leo 1887 - 1899

DUNN, MCCARTHY

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 11/22/2013 at 06:23:10

Elgin Echo, Thursday, 30 November 1899.

Leo Dunn a lad about 12 years of age and son of Mr. and Mrs. James Dunn of Cox Creek township, Clayton county, was the victim of an accident on Sunday, Nov. 18, which resulted in his death. In company with his father and uncle, D. H. McCarthy, he was out hunting and was on a brush pile to frighten a rabbit out while his father stood close by with a gun, which was accidently discharged, striking the little fellow in the leg just below the knee and making a severe wound and paralyzing his whole nervous system, from which he never rallied but died in the evening.- Elkader Democrat.
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NOTE: James Leo Dunn 03-03-1887 / 11-19-1899 is shown in the St. Joseph's/Elkader cemetery, a photo of his gravestone is on the IGPP.

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Added by Reid 1/15/2021:

Elkader Register, Thur., 23 Nov. 1899.

A most unfortunate accident happened last Sunday in Cox Creek township by which Leo, the 12 year old son of Mr. and Mrs. James Dunn lost his life. The boy's injury was the result of the accidental discharge of a shotgun in the hands of his father. In the party at the time besides the boy and his father were D. H. McCarthy and Justin, son of M. H. McCarthy of Dubuque. The boy had begged to accompany the party and they were in the timber owned by Mr. Dunn, where rabbits are plentiful. Mr. Dunn was carrying his gun, a breechloader, which was cocked, in a position ready to bring it to his shoulder to fire. They were following the dogs and keeping a sharp lookout for game when suddenly Mr. Dunn's gun was discharged, in what manner he is unable to say. His son was not over ten feet away and the charge struck him in the calf of the leg. It tore away a portion of the flesh and part of the bone and splintered the bone badly. The boy dropped at once and cried out that he was shot. D. H. McCarthy, who was nearby but who had not witnessed the accident, hurried to the boy and tied the leg with two silk handkerchiefs and thus prevented any great loss of blood before a surgeon could reach the boy, who was carried into a neighboring house.

The boy appeared to suffer no pain whatever from the wound and talked rather cheerfully a good part of the time. He requested that the Dubuque relatives be not notified of the accident and begged his mother not to worry. The surgeon dressed the wound but gave it as his opinion that an amputation would be necessary when the boy recovered from the shock. The fact that the little fellow felt no pain even after recovering from the effects of the either administered, was diagnosed by the surgeon as a bad symptom. The boy ate rather heartily of supper, but a short time afterward a change was noticed to take place in his condition and before anyone realized the end was so near he passed peacefully away. The accident happened at 9 o'clock in the morning and death resulted about 8 o'clock the same evening.

The funeral was held Tuesday morning at the Cox Creek church, and was very largely attended by the many friends of the family, who with the entire community sympathize with them in the unfortunate affair.