Verle Van Schafer 1900-1913

SCHAFER

Posted By: Judy Kelley, volunteer (email)
Date: 7/16/2010 at 22:29:43

Source: LCHS scrapbook

13 YEAR OLD BOY ACCIDENTALLY KILLED

Van Schafer, Son of J.R. Schafer Killed by Horse.

RIBS WERE BADLY CRUSHED

Saddled Three-Year-Old Colt While Family Was Absent and Was Thrown From Horse and Kicked or Trampled to Death - Funeral Will Be Held Tomorrow.

The community was greatly shocked yesterday afternoon by the report that Van Schafer, son of J.R. Schafer, residing near Grandview, had been accidentally killed. The mother had gone to town and the rest of the family were at a neighbors, leaving the boy alone for a little over an hour. When they returned they were surprised to see one of their horses loose in the pasture, with a saddle on it. They thought something must be wrong and started a search for the boy. The found him stretched out on the ground just inside the pasture gate, almost dead, and before they could carry him to the house he breathed his last. An examination of the boy's body showed his ribs to be crushed in and his body badly bruised.

The exact manner of his death is not known. It is supposed that the boy saddled the horse, which is a 3 year old colt, broke to drive and ride, and had been driven and rode many times, got astride and in some manner was thrown off, kicked or trampled on. One of the boy's boots which he was wearing at the time of the accident was found hanging in the the stirrup strap, just above the stirrup, his limbs being too short to reach the stirrup. Beyond these few facts nothing is known as to the exact manner of his death.

Verle Van Shafer, son of Mr. and Mrs. J. Robert Schafer was born near Grandview, Iowa, May 7th, 1900, and died May 14th, 1913, aged 13 years and 7 days. He was a bright winsome lad and was a favorite both in the home and in the commmuity where he lived. His untimely death is lamented by a large circle of relatives and friends and the family is prostrated with grief. The Republican joins with the many friends of the family in extending tenderest sympathy to the sorrowing family.

The funeral services will be held in Grandview tomorrow (Friday) afternoon at 2 p.m.