Newspaper

Fatal Accident While Hunting

Young "Bill" Howard Killed with Gun in Hands of His Father
WHERE SHOOTING DUCKS
Accident Occurred in Robinson Pature

The most distressing tragedy ever enacted in this community occurred last thursday evening, about five o'clock, when young "Bill" Howard was shot and instantly killed by a weapon held in the hands of his father, William Howard Sr. The accident occurred on the bank of a small lake in the Robinson pasture, about five miles northwest of Burrton. The two men had crawled up near the lake to get a shot at a flock of ducks, and Young Bill had emptied his gun first. He arose from the ground just as his father fired his last shot, and as he was directly in front of the gun the full charge struck him in the back of the head, passed through the brain and blowed a portion of his skull away. He fell forward on his face and expired almost immediately. The father, almost frantic with grief and horror, tore off his coat and bound it about the head of the boy and after laying him in a comfortable position, jumped into the spring wagon and raced his team to the home of J. B. Froese and told Mr. Froese of the accident and asked him to phone to town for assistance. The phone message was hastily send and the two men returned to the lake in the pasture. On their arrival there the elder Howard's over-taxed brain and strength gave way and he completely collapsed. He was immediately brought to town and placed under the care of a physician. Later in the evening the body of the son was brought in and taken to R. J. Jones' undertaking room.

The father remained in an unconscious state for two days until Saturday afternoon when he rallied and was soon in complete possession of all his faculties.

The terrible tragedy caused universal sorrow in this community where the Howards have resided for years. The heartelt sympathy of everyone goes out to the grief-stricken family in their affliction.

The Howards, father and son - or "Young Bill" and "Old Bill" as they were commonly called - have spent most of the time the last few years hunting, fishing, and trapping on the lakes and rivers of this vicinity. They were successful and derived considerable income from the sale of game and pelts. "Young Bill" was a skilled taxidermist and had one of the finest collections of stuffed birds, beasts, and fishes ever exhibited in Kansas. At the time of his death he was camping out, north of Burrton, and was putting in most of his time capturing rare specimens of wild fowls for K. C. Beck of Hutchinson. After the tragedy a large number of these birds were found at his camp.

Mr. Howard, Sr., is also an enthusiastic sportsman and spent considerable time at Young Bill's camp. They were congenial companions, in fact were chums, and have spent many days and nights together on the rivers and prairies of Kansas.

"Old Bill" is inconsolable in his grief over the death of his son. He is entirely blameless in the matter, yet his part in it naturally causes him untold grief and remorse. He is entitled to the greatest measure of sympathy in his sorrow.

The Burrton Free-Lance, Thursday April 20, 1911. Page 4.