John Paul Larson (1891-1901)

LARSON

Posted By: Eileen Reed
Date: 2/10/2024 at 13:07:00

The Clarion Monitor gives tho following additional information from Coroner Garth of the accidental killing of Peter Larson:

Coroner Garth received word from Goldfield Monday to come to that place and investigate the killing of a young boy which had occurred the day previous. Dr. Garth went over on the noon train and found the facts to be substantially as follows Sunday forenoon Milo Madson and Peter [John] Larson, aged 19 and 10 years respectively, had gone hunting, the first named carrying a single barrel shot-gun and the latter an air rifle. While along the river the Madson boy attempted to lower the hammer of his gun and it was discharged, the shot taking effect in the head of the Larson boy, killing him Instantly. The upper part of the head was blown off and the brains scattered in every direction. When Madson realized what had happened his first thought was that he would be arrested and taken to jail, and to secrete the body threw it into tho Boone river, after which he returned home. He kept the secret until about 12 o'clock Sunday night when he stated that the Larson boy had accidentally shot himself while near the river and had fallen into the water. Afterwards, however, he confessed to the above statement. A search party was organized and the work of dragging the river commenced. This was kept up all night and until noon ot the next day when the body was found within ten rods of where it had been thrown into the river. As soon as the coroner arrived upon the scene a jury was impaneled and after listening to the Madson boy's story and such other evidence as was obtainable returned a verdict of accidental death. The families of the two boys had lived neighbors for several years and they had always been on the best of terms, the older one showing a deep Interest in the younger's welfare and safety, and there appeared no doubt in the minds of all acquainted with the circumstances but what it was an accident, sad tho it was.

The Times-Gazette --- Eagle Grove, Iowa
Thursday, April 11, 1901
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Last Sunday while the 18 year old boy of Mr. Madson and the 10 year old boy of Peter Larson, who live southwest of Goldfield were hunting, the Larson boy was accidentally shot having the top of his head blown off. The Madson boy had the gun sitting upon the ground and was trying to let down the hammer which discharged tho gun killing the Larson boy instantly. Madson was so frightened that acting on the first impulse he thought to conceal tbe matter by throwing the body in tbe river and the little air gun also which the boy carried. He then went home and told his brothers the Larson boy had drowned himself, but later told the story as above.

On Monday the body was found about two miles down the river from where it was thrown in. The coroner's jury sat and returned a verdict of death by accident. It is said the Madson boy is not altogether right mentally which accounts for his strange conduct.

The Eagle Grove Eagle --- Eagle Grove, Iowa
Thursday, April 11, 1901

[Transcriber’s Note: Transcribed as published. The 10 year old boy was John Paul Larson, he was the son of Peter Larson and Marie Magdalena (Damm) Larson]