Roscoe Heald

HEALD

Posted By: Sharon Elijah (email)
Date: 6/22/2018 at 13:56:46

2 September 1891 - West Branch Times

A dark shadow has overspread the happy and peaceful home of Lewis J. Heald caused by the sudden death of Rosco, his son, seven years old, by the accidental discharge of a shot gun, last Saturday in the hands of his eldest son James, nine years old, who was examining it. The young life was extinct in about twenty minutes.

The gun was thought to be unloaded and was placed in the corner of the pantry where the children were never known to meddle with it. While the mother was out of the room the older boy had laid it across the table pointing toward the door. When he pulled the trigger it swung around in range of the little fellow's head which received the fatal charge literally blowing his brains out. The husband was away at work at a neighbor's and was not made aware of the awful news until it was all over. The near neighbors were quickly summoned who did all they could to alleviate the grief of the stricken family. The grandfather was at Waterloo and was not apprised, on account of the accidental delay of the message, in time to attend the funeral which was held at the home on Monday, Aug. 31, at 10 a.m.

The parents considered this child somewhat precocious especially on religious matters and the will of God that he might be early taken unto Himself had previously entered the minds of the parents. Sympathy is felt on every hand.

Jos. Heald and family and Edwin Heald of Springville were attendance at the last sad rites.