MITCHELL, James

MITCHELL

Posted By: Volunteer: Sherri
Date: 5/21/2013 at 10:59:23

Death By Accident.

James Mitchell, son of Thos. Mitchell, met death by accident last Sunday some time during the day and the death is a sad one. The story of that accident as near as we can learn is about as follows:

Crows had been raiding the corn field and the young man took the shot gun and repaired to the field with the intention of killing some of the depredators. Previous to starting he had made some remark about going to church that evening, and when he did not return no apprehension was felt until after the hour for services had long been over. Investigation then proved the fact that he had not been seen at church and then search began. For hours this was instituted, many of the neighbors joining and at some time after two in the morning his lifeless body was discovered in a field near a wire fence, a gapping hole torn in the right side of the breast, showing how the end had come.

He had been tinkering with a corn planter as shown by his tracks and at this point is a dent in the soft ground, made by the butt of the gun, the depth of which shows that it was probably the rebound of the discharge which caused it. The planter stands about fifteen steps from a wire fence and the gun, after he was wounded. He died as he was crawling under the fence.

The mystery surrounding the death will never be solved. The tragedy took place within a quarter of a mile of the Jake Muntz place and Earl Muntz is said to have heard a gun shot at about 5 o'clock in the evening, but where this is the one that ended this life is notknown. The dog, which accompanied the young man returned to the home at about this hour and this gives weight to the theory that the end came at about five in the evening.

James was a good boy, industrious and one that attended strictly to his own business. He made friends by his unassuming manner and was the mainstay of the father in his declining years.

The mother is prostrated with grief from the terrible shock and her condition was considered critical for a time.

The funeral was held Tuesday from Story Chapel.

This sad circumstances recalls another mishap that occurred in this family some years ago, but while the possiblities were great for a tragic ending the member in question escaped with no lasting injury from the harrowing experience.

**Handwritten: June (16 or 17), 190?

Mr. Mitchell preceded his promised wife to this country from England and when he had accumulated sufficient funds, sent same to the lady of his choice and she started for America. But the ship wrecked and sank, the bride-to-be being among those who found temporary safety on a raft. For three days they floated and suffered untold agony and were then rescued and carried back to England. mr. Mitchell later went over and brought the wife to this country.

Source: Van Buren Co. Genealogical Society Obituary Book C, Page 78, Keosauqua Public Library, Keosauqua, IA