BORTON, William T. "Will"

BORTON, HASKETT, SANFORD

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 2/10/2015 at 11:02:11

Decatur Journal
Leon, Decatur County, Iowa

Obituary ~ William T. "Will" Borton
1864 ~ 1894

A Sad Accident

Friends in Leon were shocked last Saturday by receiving a telegram from Emporia, Kas., that WILL T. BORTON had shot himself accidentally. Mr. BORTON will be remembered by many friends in this city, having been married here about six years ago to Miss IDA HASKETTI at the residence of her sister Mrs. EMMA SANFORD. From the Emporia Daily Gazette of Saturday are glean the following:

Last evening a little after 8 o’clock Mr. W. T. BORTON was in the drug store of CHAS. RYDEG. He was explaining to a couple of friends how a few nights ago he had been awakened by men who claimed to be looking for a purchase of seed wheat but whom he believed to be burglars. "Next time," he said, "I will be ready for them," and he drew out a self-acting revolver. While carelessly displaying the revolver and explaining to his friends how he would use it, in some way the revolver went off, just as the muzzle swung in front of Will’s breast. “My God, I am shot - accidentally” he cried as he fell and those were his last words as the bullet had penetrated the heart and death came four minutes after the fatal shot. The news was at once taken to his wife, mother and sister who are almost crazed by the terrible tidings.

The mortal remains were conveyed to Samnel’s undertaking rooms and this morning a coroner’s inquest was held. The verdict of the jury was in accordance with the facts above stated, that death was the result of accidental shooting.

The entire community was not only shocked by the terrible news, but the heart of everyone is saddened and sympathizing with the wife, mother and sister. The blow was so sudden that it could not be lightened except by the sweet friendship which came on every hand.

Mr. BORTON, was young in years but was one of the wealthy men of the county. Everyone knew him and his family so that there was no one who did not feel a personal sorrow.

In the dark hours of sorrow and bereavement, words of comfort and seem but idle but the stricken family have the sincerest sympathy of all.

The funeral will be held Sunday afternoon at 2 o’clock, from the residence of Mr. RYDER, 616 Union.

[Interment was made in Maplewood Memorial Lawn Cemetery, Emporia, Kansas.]

Transcription and submission by Sara Rose Joan LeFleur