Grace Anne Mathews 1876 - 1906

MATHEWS, DODDS

Posted By: Deb (email)
Date: 2/3/2008 at 23:03:37

From Monday Daily/unknown paper

Killed By Gunshot
Grace Mathews Meets With Fatal Accident
She Resided Near Danville
Was Preparing to go to Church When
the terrible accident occurred
Was a Niece of Frank and Hiram Mathews

Friday evening Miss Grace Mathews living one mile west of Danville was accidentally shot and killed as she was getting ready to attend the union revival meetings that are in progress.

The particulars of the sad tragedy are as follows: Miss Mathews was in the act of getting a dress from her wardrobe and in some way the gun was knocked down and discharged, the contents passing through Miss Mathews's abdomen. Her brother Willis happened to be present and hearing the gun's report hurried to the room, finding his siter fatally wounded. Physicians were immediately called but nothing could be done to save the girl's life. The end came about midnight, her relatives in the neighborhood, being present.

The deceased was twenty-six years of age, and lived with her mother. Other relatives who survive her are: one sister, Birdie; and five brothers: Howard, who is county supervisor of Des Moines County; Sherman, Willis, Warren and Fred. She was a niece of Frank and Hiram Mathews of this place.

Funeral services were held yesterday afternoon at the Congregational of which Miss Mathews was a faithful member. Rev. Drew, the pastor, officiated. The sympathy of the entire community and of many friends in this county is extended to the members of the Mathews family.

Funeral of Miss Mathews

Hundreds Attend Services of Girl Accidently Killed at Danville

Danville, Ia. Jan 15-- No services for a long time were attended with such sadness and by so many people as was the funeral of Miss Grace Mathews, who was accidentally shot Friday night by a gun she brushed against. The service was in charge of Rev. Drew, pastor of the church, assisted by Rev. Mahaffie, pastor of the Methodist Church, and music was furnished by a double quartet, selected. Hundreds were unable to get into the edifice.
The pall bearers were selected from the intimate friends of the family. Interment was in the Jaggar Cemetery.
Nothing in years has so shocked this community as the sudden death of Miss Mathews. Friday had been a jolly one at the Mathews home, a reunion had been held and friends and relatives enjoyed the occasion. In the evening Miss Grace Mathews went over to her brother's home a short distance from her own home and had just returned and was laughing and talking about her little nephew, when the accident happened. She had stepped into a little cloak room off the kitchen to get an article of clothing and doing so the shotgun which was leaning against the wall was knocked over against her, was discharged and the load of shot passed through her abdomen. Only one barrel was loaded and it is supposed the gun was cocked, although no one has been able to account for such a condition. Mrs. Mathews, the aged mother, would have been entirely alone had not Willis, a married brother, happened to step into the house just as the report was heard. Since the accident she has been unable to leave her bed and was unable to attend the funeral. She was conscious up to within twenty minutes of her death.
The deceased was a young lady of much natural and also acquired ability. She was a willing and faithful worker in the church and was always ready to do her part and that of others when necessary. In her death, her community and church has lost a valuable friend. She was to have been married in a short time to a prominent young farmer of the vicinity. The family have the sympathy of all in their sorrow.