Dr. D. A. Duckworth 1841-1891

DUCKWORTH, DUFFIELD, WATSON, PRY, HUNTER, HARTSON

Posted By: Volunteer - Rich Lowe
Date: 12/1/2001 at 09:40:29

HE MET INSTANT DEATH

A Terrible Accident Near Pittsburg Thursday.

Dr. D. A. Duckworth Instantly Killed
by the Accidental Discharge of a
Gun in the Hands of Henry
Duffield.

Thursday afternoon, this community was terrified by the report that Dr. D. A. Duckworth of Keosauqua had been instantly killed as the result of a dreadful accident that had occurred at the home of Mr. Henry Duffield, living about a mile and a half northwest of Pittsburg.

About 1 o'clock Thursday afternoon Mr. Duffield came to Keosauqua and called upon Dr. Duckworth to go out to his home on professional business. Mr. Duffield then started back home and Dr. Duckworth went to the livery stable, got his team, and followed on after.

When near home Mr. Duffield saw a wolf cross the road ahead of him and disappear in the timber. On reaching home he immediately got his shot gun and went in search of the wolf. When he returned home for the wolf hunt Dr. Duckworth was there. Mr. Duffield passed into the sitting room where Dr. Duckworth was sitting, taking his gun with him. He sat down just to one side of the kitchen door, six to eight feet in front of Dr. Duckworth and perhaps three feet to his right, with the gun across his lap, with the muzzle pointing to the right.

While Mr. Duffield and Dr. Duckworth were engaged in conversation one of the children fell and hurt itself in the kitchen. Mrs. Duffield sprang to ther feet and ran to the assistance of the child. As she passed through the kitchen door a flounce of her dress caught on the hammer of the gun, swung the muzzle around, and before Mr. Duffield could grasp hold of it it was discharged. The contents of the gun struck Dr. Duckworth to the left nostril and ranged up into his brain.

Death was instantaneous. He dropped from his chair, but so far as could be observed never breathed or moved a muscle. Mrs. Duffield swooned away, and Mr. Duffield ran out and called Mr. H. I. Worden, the nearest neighbor, Mr. Worden came to Keosauqua as quickly as possible, and the family and friends were informed of the dreadful affair. Capt. Duckworth, brother of deceased, Sheriff Elerick, Justice Starr and many others repaired to the scene of the accident. They arrived there between 4 and 5 o'clock p. m. Mr. and Mrs. Duffield and family had gone to Mr. Worden's, where they spent the night. Mr. James Duffield, a brother of Henry, was present and explained how the accident occurred.

The remains were found stretched at full length on the floor in a great pool of blood, the feet crossed and the arms laying at right angles with the body. It wa so evident from every circumstance that the shooting happened just as it was represented it had and was accidental, that no coroner's inquest was held. The undertaker was sent for, and the body was brought to the late home of the deceased at this place. The hearse arrived here at 1:30 yesterday morning.

Dr. D. A. Duckworth was born in Putman county, Ind., June 16, 1841, and came with his parents to Davis county, Iowa, in the fall of 1854. In August, 1863, he enlisted in the 21 Iowa Infantry and served to the close of the war. :He was in the campaign around Corinth, the Atlanta campaign, the march to the sea, the march through the Carolinas and participated in the grand review at Washington.

Dr. Duckworth was married Jan. 26, 1867, to Miss Watson, and she dying shortly afterwards, he was married to Miss Pry. He was married again to Miss Susan Hunter, who was the mother of his four oldest children, and again to Miss Mary Hartson of Keosauqua, who survives him.

The doctor was engaged in farming until 1871, when he moved to Floris, Davis county, and engaged in the mill business. In 1874 he traded his mill property for land in Kansas near Wamega, and moved on it.

In 1876 he attend a term of medical lectures at Rush Medical college, Chicago, and practiced medicine at Louisville, Kan., until 1883, when he removed to Southern Florida for the benefit of his wife's health. His wife died there in 1886, when he moved to Keosauqua where he has since resided.

Since his residence here the doctor had been engaged in the practice of medicine and the drug business, except about six months when he attended medical lectures at Des Moines. He enjoyed a large practice which seemed to be constantly increasing. He was honorable and upright in his dealings, was of a genial disposition, and a kind and affectionate husband and father.

He was a member of the Masonic Odd fellows, and G. A. R. orders. The burial will be from the residence at 1:30 today, by E. Chanan commandary Knights Templars, assisted by the I. O. O. F. and G. A. R.s.

Source: Entler Scrapbook, vol. 6, Iowa Historical Library, Iowa City, IA

I am not related and am posting this for those who may find this person in their family history.