Larken, John (Died 1894)

LARKEN

Posted By: Linda Ziemann, volunteer (email)
Date: 10/25/2010 at 20:03:45

LeMars Semi-Weekly Sentinel,
March 5, 1894

ACCIDENTLY KILLED.
James station was the scene of mourning by reason of a fatal accident last
Monday at about 9 a.m. Henry Fulton, the son of a blacksmith of that place,
was shooting at a mark, with a rifle calculated to shoot a half mile. One of
the shots passed through two inch boards, forming the side of a shed in
which John Larken was standing unobserved by anyone. The ball entered his
left side just below the hips and passed entirely through his abdomen,
causing death after terrible suffering of twenty-four hours. Pat Gaynor and
two physicians came up from Sioux City and cared for him, but could not save
him. His funeral took place last Thursday, he being buried in the Catholic
cemetery at Sioux City. He left a wife and three children. At one time he
resided at LeMars and was employed by Pat Gaynor. Of late he has farmed
summers and run a saloon winters at James.

This is another instance where fire arms were put to bad use, shooting
within a town or village is not the proper thing.

MERRILL: (From the Record)

A man by the name of Fuller, at James, was target practicing last Monday.
His aim being inaccurate, he missed the target, and the deadly bullet passed
through the building, striking Mr. Larkins, who happed to be passing by,
near the heart, killing him almost instantly.