BUSS, Dick 1875-1903

BUSS, ACKERMAN

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 1/7/2022 at 18:12:47

How Dick Buss Met Death

Accidental Shooting-Local Briefs From Wellsburg

Concerning the death of Dick Buss the circumstances as near as may possibly be stated are that Buss and his brother-in-law, Edward Ackerman, had been practicing with a 22-calibre rifle, shooting at a target for some time, and it was while Mr. Ackerman was in the house that the accident occurred. Shortly after entering the house he heard a shot, and stepping to the window saw Buss fall heavily to the ground. He ran to him, and saw blood flowing freely from a wound in the left temple. A doctor was at once summoned, and on examination it was found that the bullet had entered his left temple about two inches back of the eyeball, passing through the brain and lodging in the bones of the skull. He never regained consciousness, but died in about an hour after the accident. How the fatal accident happened no one knows positively. It is believed that after the firing of one shot the unfortunate man went to see how near to the target he struck. In leaning over with the gun in hand the trigger must have caught in his clothing and in this manner caused the accidental discharge.

He was born in Colfax township, Grundy county, twenty-eight years ago. He lived with his parents up to four years ago, when he was married to Miss D. Ackerman, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Oltman Ackerman. After his marriage he lived for one year on the Knock farm, two miles north of Holland. His untimely death is mourned by a young wife and three small children, two girls and a boy, one of them being but six weeks old. He was a hard working and industrious young man and the sad tragedy of which he is the victim has proved a shock to the community. His wife and little ones and his aged parents, residing at Ocheyedan, who feel the effect of the tragedy most keenly, have the undivided sympathy of the community.

Funeral services were held Thursday afternoon at his home, conducted by Rev. Koehler and the remains were laid to rest in the Lutheran cemetery.

--Ackley World (Ackley, Iowa), 25 November 1903