Tompkins, Erastus died 1888

TOMPKINS

Posted By: Volunteer transcribers
Date: 12/10/2005 at 14:33:19

Special to THE TIMES - Strawberry Point, Ia., Dec. 3 - On Thanksgiving day a sad accident occurred near here whereby an old soldier named Erastus Tompkins lost his life.

He and his son, a young man about seventeen years of age were preparing to go hunting, and while the young man was inserting a loaded shell in a breech loading shot gun, in some manner the gun was discharged and the entire charge entered Mr. Tompkin's head, killing him instantly.

A coroner's inquest was held and after a careful examination a verdict of accidental shooting was returned.

Mr. Tompkins was a quiet, peaceable man and noted for his industry. He had but recently been granted a pension.

~Dubuque Daily Times, December 5, 1888; pg 1

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ACCIDENT -- Word received from Strawberry Point states that a farmer named Tompkins, residing near that place, was accidentally shot and instantly killed on Thursday morning last.

A party had been made up to go hunting on that date, and they met at the Tompkins residence. Just before starting a son of Mr. T. placed a cartridge in his gun, and by some means it was discharged, the entire load taking effect in his father's head, killing him instantly.

A coroner's inquest was held and the jury brought in a verdict in accordance with the above facts.

~Elkader Weekly Register, Thursday, December 6, 1888; pg 5

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Strawberry Point Press: Last Thursday a fatal accident occurred in which Erastus Tompkins, living on the Sloan farm two miles southwest of Strawberry Point, was the victim.

It appears that Mr. Tompkins' son Cyrus, was loading a breech-loading gun, when by some means the gun was discharged and contents striking Mr. Thompkins in the forehead, caused instant death.

Mr. Thompkins was standing on a platform about five feet high and about fourteen feet from the boy when the accident occurred.

~North Iowa Times, Thursday, December 13, 1888; pg 3

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A distressing accident occurred at Strawberry Point on Thanksgiving Day by which Mr. Erastus Tompkins lost his life. He and his son with one or two others were about to start hunting when the boy accidentally exploded the shell in his gun, shooting his father just above the right temple, killing him instantly.

-Kellogg Enterprise (Kellogg, Jasper co. Iowa)
December 14, 1888

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Note: CW Veteran