Richard Ambler ~ Fatal Accident ~ 1895

AMBLER, BARTON, BIRD, BROOKS, COLE, JERICHO, MCDOWELL, TRIBBY, OFFICER, PICKARD, PITCHER, ROGERS, ROSS

Posted By: Pat Ryan White (email)
Date: 11/10/2006 at 09:11:11

Mt. Pleasant Daily News, Monday, October 14, 1895.

A FATAL ACCIDENT.

Hon. Richard Ambler Meets Death While Out Hunting.

In Attempting to Turn the Carriage, the Gun Slipped Out by the Side - Rare Presence of Mind of the Three Little Boys.

The most distressing accident that has occurred in Henry county for years happened last Saturday afternoon, whereby Hon. Richard Ambler of this city was shot and almost instantly killed by the accidental discharge of a shot gun in his own hands, near Webster’s Mill. The news of the accident, when brought to town, spread like wild fire, producing consternation among his hundreds of friends and acquaintances, who were laborious for details of the awful tragedy. The facts in the case show a peculiar combination of circumstances, that to a believer in foreordination, would be hailed as the dispensation of a Providence that saw fit to take away Mr. Ambler and arranged with inexorable precision the steps leading up to his death. For some time past County clerk, C. H. Tribby had promised his three boys that they should go squirrel hunting. Somehow it was arranged that Mr. Harry Ambler, son of the deceased, should also be of the party. Last Saturday afternoon was set for this good time in the woods. The preparations were all made when Mr. Harry Ambler found that it would be impossible for him to go, and his father concluded that he would like to spend the afternoon in the woods himself. Accordingly, the arrangement being agreeable to all, Mr. Ambler made preparations for the day. He was very enthusiastic over the prospects, and instead of going home for dinner ate at his sons in order to get an early start. The party left town about half past one and consisted of Mr. Tribby and his three boys, Ray, aged 9; Dale, aged 7 and Don, aged 5 and Mr. Ambler. The two men had each a double barreled, breech loading shot gun. They were in Mr. Tribby’s surrey, drawn by his pair of grey horses. The party proceeded directly to Webster’s Mills, crossed the river and turned up the old road leading up the river. They followed this until they came to a rocky ravine and followed this until they came to an old wood road in some timber belonging to Mr. Stipe. They followed it until a wire fence around Frank Becker’s field obstructed their way. Here the team was turned aside and hitched to a tree. The party then started out for game. They had borrowed a dog of Henry McDowell. They followed along in the edge of the timber for quite a ways, the dog treeing two squirrels but they escaped in their holes. The only shot fired was by Mr. Ambler who brought down a woodpecker for the boys. Not having much luck, they started back for the team, and when nearing it the dog was heard barking down beside the road they would return on. Mr. Ambler told Mr. Tribby to go down and see what the dog had, while he and the three boys would get the team, drive down and take Mr. Tribby in. When first coming up the road the boys spied a large hornets nest, and as Mr. Tribby left Mr. Ambler to go to the dog, he said he would get the nest. Mr. Ambler laughingly advised him to let the hornets nest alone and they parted. Mr. Tribby found the dog but no squirrel, and then proceeded to the hornet’s nest and was clubbing it when he heard the explosion of a gun, instantly followed the screaming of one of his boys. He ran toward the team, about a thousand feet distant and was met by Ray, who told him Mr. Ambler was shot. The details of the accident are told by the boys, who were the only eye witnesses of the tragedy, which will never be effaced from their memory. After reaching the team, Masters Ray and Dale got in the back seat while Don and Mr. Ambler occupied the front seat. Mr. Ambler had his gun between his feet, and in order to avoid a stump, backed the team. In backing the horses cramped so hard that the front wheel was jammed under the bed. Master Dale fearing an upset jumped out. Mr. Ambler in keeping his balance, moved his feet to one side, pushing the gun out over the side. It dropped, the hammer striking the axle. An explosion followed, the lead striking Mr. Ambler, who had leaned over to catch the gun, directly over the left eye tearing away the scalp, skull and brains, and severing the arteries, for about four inches toward the top of his head, and driving on up through the top of the carriage. Mr. Ambler was thrown back into an easy sitting posture against the seat, and was there found with his head leaning to one side and the whip in his hand by Mr. Tribby. At the instant of the explosion, Master Don who was setting beside Mr. Ambler jumped from the buggy, while Ray leaned over and gathered the reins which had slipped from Mr. Ambler’s hands, and Dale rushed for the horses heads. So quick were the boys that the horses had not moved far enough to let the gun fall from the support against the axle. Mr. Tribby at once unloaded his own and Mr. Amblers gun, and supporting him in the seat, started for Mr. Elwood Pickard’s, the nearest house. Mr. Ambler never moved or spoke after being shot. It took about half an hour to reach Pickard’s on account of the rough roads and many gates. It was a journey Mr. Tribby will not soon forget. Driving with one hand he supported on his other arm against the seat the limp form, that still breathed, but for whom he realize there was no hope. Arriving at Pickards the request of Mr. Tribby to take Mr. Ambler in was met by a refusal on the ground that Mr. and Mrs. Pickard were both sick. Mr. Pickard was finally prevailed upon to allow Mr. Ambler to be brought in. He was placed on a bed and Mr. Tribby hurried to town. Arriving in the city he left the boys at home, sent Dr. Pitcher to the side of Mr. Ambler, instructed Rev. O. W. Rogers to notify Mr. Ambler’s folks and then hunted up the sheriff and coroner. So sure was Mr. Tribby of death that Undertaker Bird was ordered on the scene to care for the body.

On the return of the party to Mr. Pickard’s, it was learned that Mr. Ambler expired shortly after Mr. Tribby left. Dr. Pitcher had bound up the wound and the body was immediately taken in charge by Mr. Bird and brought to his establishment where it was prepared for burial and then removed to the stricken home. Coroner Jericho had empanelled a jury consisting of Rev. Barton, Capt. Brooks and J. A. Ross, and they immediately took the testimony of Mr. Tribby and Mr. Pickard, and this morning that of Master Ray Tribby and viewed the carriage. The testimony established the story as about related.

To Miss Olive Cole was assigned the task of breaking the news to Mrs. Ambler, while Mr. Harry Ambler hurried to his own stricken fireside. At first Mrs. Ambler could not and would not believe the dreadful story. Finally the full force of her bereavement overcame her, but friends were at hand to comfort her as best they could. The accident occurred about half past four, but it was nearly 10 o’clock in the evening before the body was received at the home. Everything was done that could be, but in spite of the tenderest offices of friends, the burden of grief is hard to bear. The sympathy of the entire community goes out to the mourning family.

Mr. Ambler leaves a devoted wife and four children, Mrs. Lou Officer, of Salt Lake City, Utah, Miss Sarah, of Davenport, Mr. Harry Ambler, of this city, and his fathers law partner, and Miss Olivia, who lives at home and is a student at college. Mr. Ambler was one of the prominent members of the Henry county bar, and was in his sixty-fourth year. A suitable obituary will appear later.

The funeral will take place from the residence on Broadway at 10 o’clock Wednesday forenoon.