Rathbun, Donald Blake -- 1911 - 1932

RATHBUN, CHRISTOFFERSON

Posted By: Errin Wilker (email)
Date: 4/2/2012 at 15:36:17

DONALD RATHBUN IS ACCIDENTALLY KILLED
The people of Postville and vicinity were shocked and sorrowed on Wednesday morning when the news was wafted Into town by telephone that Donald Rathbun, aged 21 years, a son of Mr. and Mrs. Blake Rathbun, a few miles west of Postville, had met his death instantly in a hunting accident at his home.

The facts so far as we have been able to glean them, are substantially as follows:

Following breakfast on Wednesday morning, and while his father and mother were still seated at the table, Donald got up and taking his 22 caliber rifle, stated he was going out to the barn to shoot a couple of pigeons, which are quite plentiful on the premises. He passed out the door and nothing more was thought of the circumstance until about fifteen minutes later, when his father started for the barn, and upon arriving at a fence about the hog yard was horrified to see Donald lying there dead from a wound in his right temple, having in some manner accidentally discharged the rifle in getting over the fence with it.

Dr. Kelleher was at once called and was on the scene in a few minutes, but the unfortunate lad was dead when he reached there, and was doubtless instantly killed, the bullet entering from the right temple and almost passing completely through his head.

The sheriff and coroner of Winneshiek county were notified and came promptly, but upon hearing the evidence concluded it was purely an accidental death and no jury was impaneled.

The sympathy of all goes out to the grief stricken parents whose heads are bowed with a grief almost too great for human hearts to bear.

The funeral will be held from the Community Presbyterian church in Postville at two o'clock on Friday afternoon. Obituary next week.

Source: Postville Herald [Postville, IA] 10 Nov. 1932: Pg. 1.

A SPLENDID YOUNG MAN IS SUMMONED TO ETERNAL BEST
Donald Blake Rathbun, the only son of Blake and Anna Rathbun, was born on the home farm, west of Postville, Iowa, January 27, 1911, where he passed away on Wednesday morning, November 9, 1932.

He attended country school and later the Postville High school, where he was a faithful student, and from which he was graduated with the class of 1928. Since that time he has assisted his father on the farm.

Donald was a lover of home, a wonderful son, ever thoughtful of his parents. He was a cheerful and willing worker with a cheerful smile for everyone. His friends are numbered by his acquaintances and he will be greatly missed from among them.

The heartfelt sympathy of this whole community goes out to the bereaved father and mother.

I cannot say, and I will not say
That he is dead―he is just away!
With a cheery smile and a wave of the hand
He has wandered into an unknown land,
And left us dreaming how very fair
It needs must be since he lingers there.
And you―O you, who the wildest yearn
For the old-time step and the glad return,
Think of his faring on, as dear
In the love of There as the love of Here.
Think of him still as the same, I say;
He is not dead―he is just away!

The funeral was held on Friday afternoon last from the Postvllle Community Presbyterian church, Rev. R.F. Galloway officiating. Interment was made in the Postville cemetery.

The following out-of-town relatives were here to attend the funeral: Mr. and Mrs. Reuben Christofferson and Harold, Mr. and Mrs. Otis Christofferson and children, of Louisa; Mrs. Ben Newell of Cedar Rapids; Mr. and Mrs. Ray Aylger and Mrs. John Williams, of Decorah.

Source: Postville Herald [Postville, IA] 16 Nov. 1932: Pg. 5.