Willie, the 17 year old son of Mr. and Mrs. A. R. Richardson, met a sad death on last Saturday. A short time before noon he was at work about a feed wagon at the home of his father on the M. C. Campbell ranch in the southwestern part of Clark county, and while setting on the feed wagon he started to put a shotgun, which he carried, into the scabbard. The gun slipped from his hands and fell to the ground, striking on the stock and causing the load to be discharged. The ball struck the body of the young man about the thigh and ranged upward, passing through some of the vital organs and lodging, evidently, in the upper part of the chest. Death ensued at about 11 p.m. The body was brought to Coldwater on Monday forenoon and laid to rest in the Coldwater cemetery. Rev. I. W. Bailey of the Baptist church conducted the funeral exercises. The Woodmen camp of this city, of which the father is a member, rendered timely and appreciation assistance in performing the last sad rites of burial. The bereaved family whose hearts are now bowed down with almost inexpressible grief have the sincere sympathy of all.
The Clark County Clipper, February 14, 1907. William Richardson
A young man named William Richardson, 17 or 18 years old, who lived with his parents on the M. C. Campbell ranch south east of town, was accidentally shot and killed last Friday.
He had started to the field with a wagon and hay-rack, and seeing some geese on the field, concluded to take the gun, a rifle or very large caliber. The gun in some manner fell through the hay frame, and the boy in catching it by the muzzle to draw it back, struck the hammer in some way that caused it to discharge. The ball struck in the thigh and ranges upward through the body, finally landing in the shoulder. Of course there was no hope of recovery from such a wound.
He died the next day and was buried in the cemetery at Protection.
Note the contradictory information in the above news articles about William Richardson's burial place; his burial place is unknown to the maker of this web site. I suspect, however, that the Western Star was correct and that he was buried at Coldwater.
Thanks to Shirley Brier for finding, transcribing and contributing the above news article to this web site!
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