Alfred Sparks Killed In Gun Accident

SPARKS

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 4/2/2008 at 16:35:50

Western Democrat, Andrew, Iowa
December 14, 1849

FATAL ACCIDENT

On Saturday, December 1st, some young men-among whom were two brothers named Sparks, residents of Clinton county, a few miles southwest of the village of Maquoketa, were out gunning, when a fatal accident occurred, by which Alfred Sparks, one of the brothers lost his life. The company had stopped for some purpose, when the young man who was killed stepped upon a log, and while resting his rifle upon it, slipped off and hitting the lock in its descent to the ground exploded the charge, instantly killing him. The ball entered near the hip and came out upon the shoulder. His brother was standing so near at the time that he caught him in his arms as he fell. The deceased was a member of a very worthy and highly respected family, who had just arrived in the county. To them this is a terrible accident indeed, and they have the sincere sympathy of every humane and generous heart.