Willis G. Hopkins (ca. 1842-1889)

HOPKINS, BALL

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 3/6/2011 at 13:35:22

From Story County Watchman April 19, 1889

The Ames Watchman

W. G. Hoskins, an old 10th Iowa Veteran, who lived here some six years ago on the 6th of April shot himself while on a hunting excursion out west, the charge taking effect in his right shoulder and breast. He only lived a few hours.

From Story County Watchman April 26, 1889

The news of W. G. Hopkins death, of Willetta, California as reported in Ames news last week was incorrect. On the evening of the 6th of this month, he loaded his gun to go hunting and was passing out of the house when his large dog ran up to him, he sat the gun down by the side of the house, sat down in the door and began playing with the dog, in some way the gun fell and the whole load of shot was received in his left side under the arm passing out and lodging under the shoulder blade. He died on the evening of the 14th, being eight days from the time he was wounded. He suffered intense all the time. Reports read by his sister, Mrs. P. W. Hopkins, last evening says: There was a surgical operation preformed by two Doctor's and 150 shot, 13 pieces of bone, two wads and a piece of his coat, taken from the wounds, he was rational till the last. Two weeks before he had been received into full membership in the Methodist Church. He was an old veteran of Co. K. 10th Iowa regiment and was a member of Ellsworth Post, Ames. He leaves a wife and three children in California. His two sisters, Mrs. A. M. Ball and Mrs. P. W. Hopkins live in this county. He died believing in life to come and praying his friends to meet him in heaven. H.