John H. Dolson (1894)

DOLSON

Posted By: Ida Morse
Date: 3/5/2006 at 15:43:10

The Madisonian
Winterset, Iowa
Friday, February 2, 1894

Death by Accident

John H. Dolson, of Douglas Township, Meets His Fate, But Few Particulars can be Learned, Except that he was Fatally Injured While Harnessing his Horses

On Wednesday the news was brought to town that John H. Dolson, one of the best and most favorably known young men of Douglas township, had met death from the kick of a horse. Mr. Dolson made his home with his parents, Mr. And Mrs. Geo B. Dolson, who for many years have resided in the northwest part of Douglas township, a mile or so west of the Sulgrove bridge.

In the forenoon he went out to the stable to harness and hitch up his horses in prepatory to starting to Winterset on some business. The only other persons about the place at the time were his mother and sister. His mother observed, after considerable time had elapsed, that no apparent progress was being made toward hitching up, and, suspecting something must be wrong, went out to the stable to see about it. She was horrified to find John lying on his face, beside a horse, and near an empty stall next to the one occupied by the horse he was about to harness. The collar was on the horse, and the harness was lying behind him. When found, John was writhing in convulsion. His mother and sister succeeded in getting him out of the stable.

Just about that time, C. L. Wilson came along, and was called to their assistance. They tried to get him to tell them what had hurt him and he could only say “horse” and that quite faintly. He also tried hard to say something about “money,” “pocket.” On inquiry it was learned that one of his neighbors had handed him some money with which he was to buy some goods which they wanted brought from town.

As soon as possible a messenger was dispatched to town for a physician, and Dr. R. R. Davisson was called. Dolson was already dead when he got there. He examined the body, but could find no marks that could be certainly determined as having been produced by a kick. Still it seems the only reasonable theory that the horse kicked him, probably in the region of the stomach, where a blow not sever enough to produce noticeable contusion might easily produce fatal injury. This seems the more probable when taken with the dying man’s words about the horse.

It is a sad affliction to the family and friends, and a loss to the community. Mr. Dolson was an estimable young man, open hearted, frank, and upright and honorable in all his ways. The funeral services are to be held at the family residence today, the interment will be made in the Winterset cemetery.

Under the circumstances, it can not help but be an unusually sad funeral. In a moment, without warning, in a condition of perfect health and strength, and in the pride of young manhood, and in the rosy morning of life, John H. Dolson passes suddenly to that bourne whence no traveler returns. Peace to the memory of a noble heart, and may the consolation of an all-wise Providence and the sympathy of friends sustain the stricken family in the hour of their sudden and terrible bereavement.
________________________

The Madisonian
Winterset, Iowa
Friday, February 9, 1894
Page 7

Obituary

John H. Dolson was born in Urbana, O., August 7, 1864. In 1868 his parents removed to Madison county, Iowa, and here he grew to manhood and made his home ever since. He followed the occupation of farmer, and was highly respected in the neighborhood where he resided constantly since the family settled in this county. His death occured Wednesday, January 31, 1894, being caused by injuries from the kick or stroke of a horse which he was harnessing. He was buried in the Winterset cemetery on Friday following.

SOME OF THESE DAYS.

Some of these days all the skies will be brighter,
Some of these days all the burdens be lighter;
Hearts will be happier, souls will be whiter,
Some of these days.

Some of these days, in the deserts upspringing,
Fountains will flash,while the joy-bells are ringing;
And the world with its sweetest of birds shall be singing,
Some of these days.

Some of these days, let us bear with our sorrow,
Faith in the future, its light we may borrow;
There will be light in the golden tomorrow,
Some of these days.

-Selected.

Gravesite
 

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