Percy E. Middleton 1880-1904

MIDDLETON, ENDERSBY

Posted By: Volunteer - Rich Lowe
Date: 10/17/2001 at 19:51:46

CALLED AWAY
Faces we See No More, Nor Voices Hear.

PERCY E. MIDDLETON

The body of E. Percy Middleton was laid in the tomb last Thursday afternoon and the short services marked to the closing a life that had been spent greatly in giving joy to others.

The day, on which the loving friends for the last time gazed on the well remembered face, was replete with sunshine and warmth, but no ray penetrated the heart of father and mother who were mourning for the boy who had passed to the other world. Sorrow was everywhere and seemed intensified when one considered that death in the guise of accident had ruthlessly grasped this life and crushed it, leaving only the mutilated body to mark the habitation of the once buoyant spirit.

STORY OF HIS DEATH.

Since Herbert had gone, Peck had been attending to the delivery department at his father's store and had been in the habit of using a large 38-caliber revolver in killing rats at the barn and it was with this expressed purpose that he took it with him on the day of his death when he went to the barn to hitch up, preparatory to delivering some goods.

The gun was a hammerless and all agree that it was a dangerous weapon, even in the hands of an experienced man, and Peck was a novice in the matter of pistols. Just how the accident occurred will never be known as no one was with him and the life had been gone some minutes before he was discovered by some boys who were playing around the barn.

With the view of establishing the manner of his death, Acting Coroner Hogan appointed Dr. Percival, Dan Macklin and Jos. Scheyli as jury and after several hours of investigation they found that death resulted from accident.

NECROLOGICAL

Percy E. Middleton was born at Bentonsport Iowa, Aug. 31, 1880; died Apr. 4, 1904 aged 23 years, 7 months, 5 days. His parents moved to Bonaparte when he was 3 years of age, where he has lived all his life.

He was the youngest of 5 children, of whom 3 brothers and one sister together with the father and mother survive to mourn his loss.

He was united in marriage to Miss Octavia Endersby on Oct. 21, 1901 who also survives to mourn him.

His tragic death was a shock to the community and also to his relatives and friends. He was a member in good standing of the M. P. L. of Bonaparte in which order he carried $2,000, insurance. He was helping his father in business and had business matters of his own; expecting soon to engage in business for himself. He had many good qualities of heart and mind and had many friends who shall miss him.

The sympathy of the entire community goes out the sorrowing friends for his untimely end.

Funeral from the late home, Thursday afternoon at 1:30 o'clock conducted by J. L. Ayrault. Members of the M. P. L. about 32 strong being in attendance, who carried out their burial ceremonies at the grave.

A large number of people were in attendance.

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At about 5 o'clock Monday evening the terrible news was flashed over town that Percy Middleton (familiary [sic] known as Peck) had been found dead in Dr. Cresap's barn, just at the rear of Sharp's hotel, and a gaping wound in the temple told how death had resulted.

The body lay on its back with the head toward the east and hands were clasped over the breast. As the head lay on the left side the terrible wound was to be seen, which was in the temple.

A jury was empanelled [sic] by acting Coroner Hogan, and after they had viewed the remains the body was turned over the undertakers, who removed it to the late home.
Sorrow, keenest sorrow hovers over a home in this city because a member of the family has been taken away and, too, just when everything seemed brightest. Percy was endowed with a kindly nature, and one that drew to him the lasting friendships of everyone, and the shocking news of his death can hardly yet be realized.

The jury which is investigating the manner of his death is still in session as we go to press.
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I am NOT related and am posting this obit for those who may find this person in their family history.