Russell E. Stanhope 1895-1902

STANHOPE

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 12/26/2010 at 20:38:46

Death of Little Russell Stanhope
In yesterday’s paper we gave a brief account of the shocking accident that occurred at Ceylon, Minn., on Thursday evening in which little Russell Stanhope, the seven-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. E. I. Stanhope, was killed. It seems he was not gored but dragged to death by a cow. He had been in the habit of leading the cow to and from a pasture, which is only a short distance from the Stanhope home. In company with two little girls he went to the pasture Thursday evening and after tying a strap around the cow’s neck lead her through the gate. She seemed rather anxious to get to the barn and would not stand while he closed the gate so he tied the strap about his body so he could have the use of both hands. The cow gave a sudden twitch jerking him under her. This frightened her and she started to run, dragging and stamping him under her feet. She was caught after running a short distance but the poor, unfortunate Russell was dead. Those who witnessed the accident say it was a sad sight indeed. The remains were brought to this city yesterday afternoon and funeral services held this afternoon at two o’clock at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Mahlum, Rev. Ginn, of the Methodist church, preaching the sermon. Interment was made in the Oak Hill cemetery. The many friends of the family in this city extend their most heartfelt sympathy. (Evening Tribune, Estherville, IA, May 10, 1902)

Meets Frightful Death
Russell Stanhope Killed While Leading Cow From Pasture
Russell Stanhope, the seven-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. E. I. Stanhope, met a most shocking death at his home near Ceylon, Thursday night, a detailed account of which is given in the following from the Fairmount Sentinel:

“The most heartrending accident that the Sentinel has been called upon to record for a great while occurred at Ceylon last evening [May 8, 1902], which resulted in suddenly blotting out an innocent life.

Russell, the seven-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. E. I. Stanhope, went to a pasture about 80 rods from the town to get the family cow, a gentle animal, which it was considered perfectly safe for any child to handle. He got the cow and started to lead her home. Boy-like he tied the rope around his body which was so short that it brought the little boy up by the cow’s side.

All went well until the pasture gate was swung open when the cow commenced to run and was soon rushing wildly towards home kicking and trampling upon the child in a frightful manner.

The cow was finally brought to a standstill by a telephone pole, she passing by on one side and the almost lifeless boy swinging past on the other side.

Parties who witnessed the frightful scene hurried to the spot and found the little boy bleeding and bruised in a horrible manner. After being picked up the child breathed or gasped two or three times, and he was no doubt killed by the hoofs of the cow when he first fell beneath her feet. At the pasture gate the prints of the child’s heels were plainly visible in the soft earth where he tried to brace himself and endeavored to hold the cow when she started to run.”

The remains were brought to Estherville for interment Friday afternoon, the funeral being held from the Mahlum residence at two o’clock Saturday afternoon. Mr. and Mrs. Stanhope had but recently moved to Ceylon from Ottosen and were former residents of Estherville, where little Russell was born. He was a bright little fellow, the pride of his parents, who are now almost overwhelmed with grief over his horrible death. The floral offerings at the funeral were profuse and very beautiful. (Emmet County Republican, Estherville, IA, May 15, 1902)

Mr. and Mrs. Kenyon and Mrs. and Mrs. I. Stanhope attended the funeral of Russell Stanhope at Estherville Saturday. (Humboldt County Independent, Humboldt, IA, May 22, 1902)

Mr. and Mrs. I. Stanhope attended little Russell’s funeral at Estherville Saturday. (Humboldt County Independent, Humboldt, IA, May 15, 1902)