An Unfortunate Accident (1904)

MORGAN, CHAMPLIN, GOODING

Posted By: Marilyn Norris Holmes (email)
Date: 2/7/2011 at 15:21:23

The Grinnell (IA) Herald; Sept 13, 1904

AN UNFORTUNATE ACCIDENT

"We do find that the deceased came to his death by a blow given by Walter Champlin in a boyish scuffle and that said blow was given with no intent to injure the said deceased
SAM'L NELSON
JOHN FLOOK
CHAS. PORTER"

The above was the decision of the jury held at the coroner's inquest over the body of Will Morgan, a boy about 15 years old, killed last Friday afternoon at the home of his grandfather, Milo Morgan, on south Broad St., by Walter Champlin, a companion about 18 years old. This verdict probably agrees with the general sentiment of the community, based on the following facts brought out at the coroner's inquest held Saturday evening in Coroner E.F. Talbott's office.

Will Morgan, Walter Champlin and the three young children of Mr. and Mrs. Gooding were playing together Friday afternoon about three o'clock in the back yard at Milo Morgan's home at 309 Broad St. About three o'clock the Morgan boy and one of the Gooding children, about six years old, had some little altercation in which the former slapped the latter. Walter Champlin either separated them or interferred on behalf of the younger and a boyish quarrel resulted between him and the Morgan boy, during which there was the usual striking back and forth, pulling of hair, calling of names and all the other accessories of a passing quarrel between two young boys, who are usually the best of friends. Finally the Morgan boy picked up a broomstick lying on the ground and striking the Champlin boy with it broke it across his hip and then struck him under the arm, at which the latter struck him in the back of the neck with his bare hand killing him almost instantly. These in the main, are the facts as told by Walter Champlin and corroborated by the Gooding boy. When he saw that he had hurt his friend the Champlin boy at once notified his mother and doctors were called but life was extinct when they reached him.

There was not a sign which would indicate a fracture or an injury to the dead boy's neck and Walter Champlin testifies he did not hit him hard--not even hard enough to hurt his own hand any. At the time he struck the blow he was bending over and the deceased was standing above him as they struck back and forth. The only words spoken by the Morgan boy after he was hurt was when the Champlin boy said, "Did I hurt you Willie, I didn't mean to" replied, "You don't know how do you?" and fell over groaning. Mrs. Gooding who lives next door, noticing the boy lying on the ground and Walter Champlin trying to raise him, brought water and bathed his head and temples but he died in a few moments.

There was practically no contradiction of testimony and it all tended to show that the boys were the best of friends. The popular verdict is that it is one of those sad, unfortunate accidents which occur sometimes almost unaccountably. The sympathy of the whole community goes out to the bereaved family and to the Champlin boy who was the unintentional means of causing so much sorrow to others and also it should be added to himself.

Both boys were known as respectable, well-behaved lads, who play together and quarrel as all other young boys do. The deceased is an orphan and the grandson of Milo Morgan, with whom he has been living. Walter Champlin is the son of George Champlin, a steady, industrious and respected citizen of this city. The boys were related by marriage, Willie Morgan's mother being a sister of Mr. Champlin's present wife. The boys lived next door to each other.

William Milo Morgan Obituary
 

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