George King 1896-1916

KING

Posted By: Sharon Elijah (email)
Date: 8/18/2018 at 10:23:48

19 October 1916 - West Branch Times

George Arthur King, Son of Mr. and Mrs. John King, of Downey, Iowa, Was Victim of Most Distressing Accident

On Saturday, Oct. 14, 1916, Mr. and Mrs. John King received the sad news of the death of their son, George, age twenty years, a member of Troop D, First Iowa Cavalry, now encamped at Donna, Texas, near the Mexican border.

Thursday, Oct. 12th, the parents received word that their son had been accidentally shot in the left thigh and that the accident was but slight. Since that time complications set in and it was found necessary to amputate the leg and the patient died from its effects.

When last heard from George was hauling supplies for his troop. He was one of the first to answer the call for Federal enlistment and has been a member of Troop D ever since it was first organized.

Troop D had returned the day previous from a practice march. The boys were cleaning their guns and George had just cleaned his revolver when the accident occurred.

The remains were shipped in charge of one of his tent mates, H. H. Oyler, Sunday, arriving at the home of his parents, Wednesday. Funeral services were held at the Downey M.P. church, Thursday, Oct. 19th, at 1:30 p.m. with Rev. J. S. Wood of New London, a former pastor of the church, officiating. Interment was made in the West Branch cemetery.

George Arthur King, the only son of John and Mary King, was born at West Branch, Iowa, September 11, 1896, and died in the hospital at Lano Grande, Texas, October 14, 1916, aged 20 years, 1 month and 3 days. He came to Downey with his parents about five years ago, and made his home with them on a farm south of town, until he went with his troop to do duty on the Mexican border. Since coming to Downey he has been a member of the Methodist Protestant Sunday school and the Christian Endeavor society. He was also a member of the Downey Grange.

He will be sadly missed from his large circle of friends. He leaves to mourn their loss, father and mother and four sisters, Verona, Bertha, Mildred and Majorie, besides many other relatives and friends.