Farnsworth, Grace – Died 1896

FARNSWORTH

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 12/27/2014 at 20:14:22

Postville Review, Sat., 24 Oct. 1896.

A fearful accidental tragedy occurred at Cresco last Tuesday. Mr. E. P. Farnsworth, just before going to dinner, was loading a revolver, and in some way it was accidentally discharged, the bullet striking his wife in the forehead and killing her instantly.

Added by Joy Moore Aug. 28, 2017
Iowa Plain Dealer October 23, 1896, FP, C1,2

A Most Distressing Accident.

Cresco is in deep mourning over a most distressing accident which occurred yesterday about twelve o’clock on North Elm St., in which Mrs. Ed. P. Farnsworth lost her life. Mr. and Mrs. Farnsworth occupied rooms at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. W. B. Lent and boarded with the family. Mr. Farnsworth had gone home to dinner from the bank; picking up a revolver which laid on the window sill, the weapon in some manner was accidently discharged, the ball penetrating his wife’s forehead, directly between the eyes, death resulted in a very few moments. The poor woman never spoke or uttered a sound after the weapon was discharged. Mr. and Mrs. Lent were in an adjoining room with the door open between the rooms. Mr. Lent says that Mrs. Farnsworth’s merry laughter had hardly died away before he heard the report of the pistol. Dr. Roome was immediately summoned, but the life spark went out shortly after his arrival.
On every hand nothing but words of deepest sorrow and sympathy are heard for the heart-broken husband and grief stricken parents of the young couple, and our usually quiet little city is in deep mourning over the sad accident.
Coroner Simons was summoned and empaneled a coroner's jury, composed of Messrs. C. 1. White, P, C. Howe, and David Amundson. Their verdict is to the effect that Mrs. Grace Farnsworth came to her death by accidental discharge of a revolver (38 caliber) in the hands of her husband, Mr. E. P. Farnsworth,—Republican.
A short funeral service was held at the home of John Farnsworth Wednesday evening, when the remains were taken to Chicago for interment, accompanied by her stricken parents, husband, and Mr. John Farnsworth.

Added by Joy Moore Feb. 18, 2021

Source: Decorah Republican Oct. 22, 1896 P 4 C 2

Accidental Shooting at Cresco.
One of those terrib{l}y, sad accidents occurred at Cresco, Tuesday, which makes one almost wish a fire arm had never been heard of by civilized man. Ed. Farnsworth, son of banker Farnsworth, was either loading or unloading a revolver when it was accidently discharged, the ball entering his wife’s forehead between the eyes and causing almost instant death. Mrs. Farnsworth was one of Cresco’s brightest young women, and her tragic death is deplored by the residents of that town. Through several visits to Decorah she had made the acquaintance of many of our young people who were greatly shocked to learn of the accident.