STUTEVILLE, Chell

STUTEVILL, MOORE, WASSON, LITTON, HUTCHINSON

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 2/16/2015 at 05:59:51

Leon Reporter
Leon, Decatur County, Iowa
Thursday, August 13, 1903

-- From LINEVILLE TRIBUNE --
CHELL STUTEVILLE, the 13 year old daughter of MRS. RACHEL STUTEVILLE and the late DR. CHAS. STUTEVILLE, of this place, was thrown from a horse and dragged to death on last Thursday afternoon while attending a picnic of the Sunday School of the M.E. Church, South, near Fugit Lake, five miles west of Lineville.

The distressing accident happened about four o'clock. Six girls of about the age of CHELL took three of the horses which had been driven to the picnic and without removing the harness went out for a horseback ride, each of the horses carrying two of the girls. They rode the horses up the road from the lake to Howard Moore's house, three quarters of a mile from the lake and started to return. CHELL and ALLIE VARNEY were riding one of Haze Litton's horses, an ordinary steady farm animal, but not accustomed to being rode. Some of the party proposed a race, which was acceeded to by CHELL, who was in front, and she started the horse into a gallop. Having started the girls were unable to control the horse and both either fell or attempted to leap from the animal and caught in the harness. ALLIE was dragged a short distance but soon became free from the harness and was not much injured; but the other girl was held securely, it is thought by the reins, which she was using as stirrups and was dragged head downward by the thoroughly rightened horse for more than a quarter of a mile, her body striking the ground with terrible force at every bound. At Virge Moore's place about half way from the point where the mad race started to the picnic grounds, the horse turned into an open gate and the mangled and almost lifeless body of the unfortunate girl became detached from the harness.

Mrs. Moore was the first to reach the spot and in a few moments Ben Wasson and others from the picnic grounds responded to the screams of the other girls of the party and hurried to the scene. The mangled form, denuded of almost every vestige of clothing and covered with blood and dust, was carried into the house and telephone messages calling for physicians apprising the family of the girl of the accident, were sent to town. Dr. Glendenning started for the scene of the accident with all haste, but was met half way by persons coming in with information of the girl's death. She did not regain consciousness and breathed her last in less than twenty minutes after being carried into the house. The remains were brought to town and taken to the residence of Mr. and Mrs. G.W. Hutchinson, with whom the girl made her home, and prepared for burial. It was found that no bones were broken, nor was her skull fractured, but the body was terribly bruised and death no doubt resulted from internal injuries.

It was a sad ending of a day that had been full of pleasure to the large crowd of children and grown people who composed the party, and no one can be blamed for the accident more than the girl herself, who made up the horseback party. The girls were forbidden from taking the horses away from the grounds, but with the thoughtlessness and confidence of youth, disregarded the injunction and the terrible accident followed.

It was a sad coincidence that less than fifty years from the spot where the girl was killed also occurred the death of Howard Moore's son about two years ago from a similar accident.

The funeral was held from the M.E. Church, South, on Friday afternoon, the services being conducted by Rev. Scarborough, and was attended by a large number.

The deepest sympathy of the community is extended to the bereaved mother, brothers and sisters of the deceased in their great sorrow and loss.

Copied by Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert
"With permission from the Leon Journal Reporter"
March 19, 2003