John Grubbs (1863-1884)

GRUBBS, BARNHARDE

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 11/14/2015 at 19:17:40

From Nevada Representative December 31, 1884

Maxwell.

....A fatal shooting accident occurred on Friday, Dec. 26th. The victim, Mr. John Grubbs, a 21 year old son of Margaret Grubbs, was returning from Nevada in a sled in company with is brother William. He attempted to draw a gun out of the sled with the muzzle toward him, with the usual result. The trigger caught and discharged the gun. The contents entered his left breast, killing him instantly. The funeral sermon was preached on Sunday in the Maxwell M. E. church by Rev. Evans. The burial was at Iowa Center. A large number of young folks attended the funeral, among whom John was a great favorite....

Later in the same issue of the paper:

Accidental Shooting.

John F. Grubbs, a promising young man of twenty-one, living between Elwell and Maxwell, shot himself through the heart Friday afternoon. He had been to Nevada in company with his younger brother William, and the two started home about two o'clock. When near J. S. Frazier's residence in the west part of town, John, who was riding backward on the seat, began chaffing. Albert Hummelbaugh, a boy of twelve year who was shoveling snow off the sidewalk. He asked the boy one or two questions such as how much was he getting a day, and then, saying, "Look here," he stooped and picked up by the muzzle a gun which was lying in the bottom of the sleigh and which he had brought along to shoot prairie chickens with. The hammer caught on something, and as he spoke the charge was lodged in his left breast. He straightened up and pitched out of the sleigh, and died with only gasp or two. Geo. Frazier and a young mad named Kirk who were near by helped the younger brother place the body in the sleigh and he brought it back to town. A coroner's inquest was held before J. A. Fitchpatrick, Justice of the peace at which Wm. A. Grubbs, Geo. Frazier and Albert Hummelbaugh were examined and the facts developed as above. The jury, consisting of Drs. J. E. Scott and E. H. Munk and C. G. McCarthy found that the deceased came to his death by accidental shooting. The gun was an old musket with a strong spring and a high half cock and so very easily discharged by a slight raising of the hammer. The deceased was a son of a widow* who will receive the kindest commiseration of her neighbors in her sorrow for his sudden and untimely end.

SUBMITTER'S NOTE: John Grubbs was the son of Abraham Grubbs and Margaret Barnharde. Abraham Grubbs died 15 November 1865 in Indian Creek Twp., Story County, Iowa.