Orville Graves

GRAVES

Posted By: Beverly Gerdts (email)
Date: 2/16/2021 at 13:52:54

Columbus Gazette, Columbus Junction, Iowa
Wednesday, August 12, 1896
page 1

The whole town was saddened Sunday morning by the announcement that little Orville, the three-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. H. G. Graves, living at the corner of second and Oak streets, had met death suddenly while playing. He, with his sister, a little older, was at play in the yard and among other things used a large round bottle filled with water. They were playing in their childish innocence, that they were a milkman and his customer and were using the bottle to represent a milk can. Orville started across the yard carrying the bottle in one hand, when he stumbled and fell. The bottle struck a stone and was shattered. One of the pieces was of a peculiar hook-like shape with an edge of razor sharpness. As he fell forward this piece of glass struck his neck just beneath the ear, penetrating so deeply as to sever the jugular vein. F. Hubbard was summoned from the Commercial house, but a short distance away and found the victim in his mother's arms drenched in blood - in fact the blood was dripping from his feet. The doctor did all that could be done and Dr. Darrow was soon on the scene. together they tied the severed vein, but the poor little fellow only lasted about twenty-five minutes from the time of the accident. The severing of the jugular vein is considered by the medical fraternity as being necessarily fatal, because if the blood is staunched by tying, congestion of the brain mist result. had both physicians been present when the wound occurred the result must have been the same. It was one of those peculiar afflictions for which no one can give a reason, and which human hands are powerless to relieve. The heartfelt sympathy of the entire community goes out to the bereaved parents. The funeral services were conducted Monday afternoon at the Reformed church by Rev. D. H. Fouse. Interment at Columbus City.