Crosby, Charles 1878 – 1897

CROSBY

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 12/12/2020 at 14:58:00

Source: Decorah Republican Aug. 26, 1897 P 3 C 3

A Shocking Accident.
Fayette Co. Union:—Last Tuesday occurred one of the most shocking accidents that ever happened in these parts, in which Charlie Crosby, the 19 year old son of Al Crosby, shot and killed himself, while hunting squirrels in the Auburn timber near Wm. Miller’s, in company with Wesley Butler and Roy Markley, aged 12 and 10 years respectively, The story as told by the boys is that Charley was bending over the rifle with the butt resting on the ground and was lowering the hammer of the gun when his finger slipped and the gun was discharged and he fell to the ground apparently dead. The frightened boys first picked up the rifle and placed the ramrod in the rifle to carry home but change their minds, dropped the guns and going to the road called Ed Westcott and Jim Prouty who were passing the wood. They hitched their teams and returned with Butler, found Crosby and brought him to Mr. Miller's, when Prouty came to town and summoned Dr. Ainsworth, who with Sheriff Hockings, drove out. He died just a few minutes after they arrived.

Transcriber’s Note: Find a Grave shows he was born Nov. 22, 1878 and died Aug. 17, 1897. He is buried in the West Union Cemetery.