ELLIS, Clare O. (1878-1898) (Sp-Amer War Vet)

ELLIS

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 12/29/2013 at 10:46:35

Elgin Echo, Thursday, 17 November 1898. From the Oelwein Register, undated, but most likely Thursday, 10 November 1898.

A sad accident occurred about 6 miles west of Oelwein last Thursday morning resulting in the death of C. O. Ellis, who had just been mustered out of Company A, of the 52nd Regiment Iowa Volunteers, now located at Des Moines, says the Register. His parents reside in Hancock County and he was on his way home, stopping off at Oelwein to visit his cousin Bert Ellis, who is a member of the 49th Iowa. Thursday morning he, accompanied by his cousin Bert, started out on a rabbit hunt and young Ellis carried his gun across his left arm with both hammers thrown back for action. In some unaccountable manner at about 10:30 o'clock one barrel of the gun was discharged, causing the gun to kick back, knocking it from his arm and dropping to the ground at his feet with the muzzle pointing toward him, the shock causing the second barrel to discharge, the entire charge entering his side and making a frightful wound. He was only a short distance from the home of his uncle, B. F. Ellis, where he was taken and physicians summoned. Everything was done that physicians could do, but death claimed him and he died at 7 o'clock Friday morning. He was conscious to the last moment and when asked if he was ready to die he said: "yes I will die as a brave soldier." He was about 20 years old and a very promising young man. A telegram was sent to his father and he arrived Friday night and took the remains of his son to Hancock County for burial.

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NOTE: WPA records show Clare O. Ellis, no birth date, died 11-03-1898, Spanish-American War veteran.

Submitter is not related.

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