Rifle Wound Causes Death

ZIRBEL, TOWNSEND

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes
Date: 5/11/2013 at 17:07:04

The Grinnell (IA) Herald
May 12, 1931

RIFLE WOUND
CAUSES DEATH
------------
John Zirbel, of Malcom Neighborhood
is Shot Through Head Fri-
day Morning
------------
WOUND IS INFLICTED WITH
A .22 CALIBRE RIFLE
------------
Passes Away Monday Morning at His
Home--was a Prominent
Farmer
------------

John Zirbel, a wellknown farmer living two miles south of Malcom passed away between 10:30 and 11 o'clock Monday morning at his home. Mr. Zirbel was shot through the head Friday morning as a result of the accidental discharge of a .22 rifle with which it is presumed he was planning to hunt rats.

Mr. Zirbel was found unconscious in his barnyard by his hired man, Fred Townsend, who lives on the next place south. Mr. Townsend hurried to the house to tell what had happened and a doctor was called at once. When the family returned to the barnyard they found that Mr. Zirbel had recovered consciousness and was going about his work. He had been planning to plant corn that morning. He was taken to the house and was able to undress himself and get into bed unaided but since then his condition has been increasingly serious.

Mr. Zirbel is survived by his wife. There are no children.

Funeral services will be held Thursday afternoon at the Presbyterian church in Malcom.