Foster, Geo. died 1896

FOSTER

Posted By: Doris Hoffman, Volunteer (email)
Date: 1/9/2012 at 15:17:20

Le Mars Semi-Weekly Sentinel
Monday, September 7, 1896

A SAD ACCIDENT

Geo. Foster, Son of W. A. Foster of Preston Accidentally Shot.

DEATH RESULTS INSTANTLY.

As the Result of Dee Lester and Geo. Foster, Two Young Boys, Fooling With a Loaded Rifle the Latter Loses his Life—The Other Too Badly Frightened to Tell How It Happened.

Thursday afternoon about S o'clock Geo Foster, son of W. A. Foster, was shot and instantly killed by the accidental discharge of a rifle, the ball entering the top of his shoulder and supposed to have penetrated the heart. The Lester family and the Foster family are neighbors in Preston Township and Thursday afternoon Dee Foster, a lad about 12 or went to the Foster home accompanying by his sister on an. errand. When they got to the house they found Mrs. Foster away from home and only George, a lad of 8 years, in the house. The sister went on up to a neighbor to see if Mrs. Foster was there and shortly after she arrived at the neighbor's her brother came running up and said George had been shot At first be said a tramp did the shooting but afterwards acknowledged he did it accidently He is so badly frightened that he cannot or will not tell lust how it happened.

Mr. Foster had a rifle In the house that had not been loaded for over a year until last Wednesday when he took it down and loaded it to shoot a hawk. He did not get a shot at the hawk and returned the gun to its proper place, loaded. The supposition is that the boys got the gun down and went to fooling with it. The ball struck the Foster boy on top of the shoulder and went down and It is supposed the other boy must have been on a chair with the gun and the Foster boy either sitting down or on his knees when the gun went off. The course of the ball was straight down and It Is thought went directly through the heart so that death was instant.

The accident is a sad blow to the parents and the whole community, George was a bright little fellow, one of a pair of twins. He and the Lester boy were the best of friends and playmates which makes the accident additionally sad.

The funeral was held Friday in Preston Township.
==========================

Alton Democrat
September 19, 1896

LE MARS NEWS.

The twelve year old son of E. W. Foster, of Preston township, was instantly killed by the discharge of a rifle with which he was playing last week. His father had loaded the gun a few days previous but not having to use it, returned it to its place without drawing the load. The little fellow had taken it down and in reaching over a chair accidentally discharged it, the ball going clear through his body.
==========================

Source: Uknwn Sioux County newspaper, dated Sept. 10, 1896

Last Thursday afternoon at the home of W. A. Foster, living just over the line in Plymouth county, George, a son eight years old, was shot through the heart with a rifle by his playmate, Dee Lester, and instantly killed.

The boys were left alone in the house while the folks were visiting with a neighbor. The Lester boy made it known immediately after the shooting, but is unable to tell exactly how it occurred, though it seems plain the shooting was purely accidental.
=========================