The 1870 Jasper County mortality schedule recorded the deaths, by accidental gun shot wounds, of Frank and Elmer Annis. Catharine Henderson supplied the following article which originally was published in The Newton Daily News during the 1930's by the Jasper County Historical Society. Bertha Fehleisen, who recalled the event, was the author.

Out in our Silent City, not far from the front fence and at the top of the hill where the native trees begin, there stands a small, square marble shaft upon which is the name, "Annis." The inscriptions on it are:
Francis Annis, died May 30, 1864
Frank Annis, born 1854, died Dec. 20, 1869 (Full name was William F.)
Elmer Annis, born 1862, died Dec. 20, 1869

This was a real after-the-war tragedy which occurred on Dec. 20, 1869. It was never to my knowledge written up for history in Jasper County. This is now the purpose of a neighbor who was then a child of eight years.

The home of this Annis family was in Jasper County, but Francis Annis enlisted in Boone County, possibly with some friends. On looking it up in Boone's county history, I found this record: "Francis Annis enlisted Aug. 11., 1862, from Douglas Township; served in Co. D; died in service." His people say he died of dysentery on the way from the army to the hospital.

Later, his family, consisting of his wife, one daughter, Cynthia, and three sons, Frank, Ben and Elmer, were living in Newton, their home being located where that of W.C. Killduff now stands, 823 East Fifth Street North. This was close to the newly built Rock Island railroad tracks. At that time all north of these tracks, west for some distance, and east as far as Failor's Green House, was timber and underbrush. A small pond was on part of the Green house ground.

Mrs. Annis was keeping boarders in order to support her growing family. Among these was a man named Case who was from New York state and who had been in the Civil War and who had wandered out west in search of a job. He found one teaching in a country school in Jasper County. He also found boarding at the Annis home and rode on horseback to and from his school. A great friendship sprang up between him and the three Annis boys of six, eleven and fifteen years. The war was an interesting event to them and they were eager to have him tell about it.

On the evening of Dec. 20, 1869, Case noticed a gun, which I understand was an old army gun; picked it up to examine it; and then the boys gathered around him, begging him to show them how they did it in the war. He stepped to the dining room door and asked Mrs. Annis if it was loaded. She replied she thought not. He then pointed the gun at the pictures on the wall, the clock on the and, repeating each time the commands, "Halt! Take aim! Fire!" About to put the gun away, little Elmer, seven years old, said, "Now shoot me." Then playfully pointing the gun right at his forehead, pulled the trigger, and lo! It went off. A bullet that had missed fire before now was fired. It tore right through Elmer's head and Frank, fifteen years old, who was standing behind him with thumbs in his trousers band, received the bullet through his hand from which it went through his bowels. Case, as soon as he saw Elmer drop instantly, was so astonished that he became like a crazy man. lie tore out of the house and ran to the woods across the tracks, racing through the underbrush until exhausted. [This was reported in the neighborhood. I cannot tell if it be true.] At any rate he came back to the house to find Frank, too, had been shot. He had not stopped long enough to know that.

At once he started out to find a doctor, supposedly Dr. Hunter, who lived a few blocks down the same street. He reported there was no hope for Frank and before morning he too had gone.

Cynthia, the daughter and eldest of the family, was married, and went away from here to live, but is not living today. Ben, the other son, has also gone, leaving four sons, who are all living and known to many today. They are Bert, Frank, Bruce and Fred. There are also two daughters, Elva and Blanche.

The lesson to be drawn from this tragedy is very plain and needs no comment from me. The memory of its sadness will last as long as life lasts.

Catharine Henderson also provided the following information about members of the Annis family.

Francis Annis
Born 3 Nov 1824 in Grafton County, NH, married Nancy Cross 27 Nov 1851 at Monroe, Green County, WI; and died 30 May 1864 of dysentary on board ship during the Civil War. He is buried in the national cemetery at Vicksburg, MS. He was a member of Co. D, 32nd Regiment.

Nancy Cross
Born 2 Sep 1831, Maine; died 18 Dec 1891 at Newton; and was buried at Newton Union Cemetery, Newton, Jasper County, Iowa. Her second husband was Joseph H. Drew.

Cynthia Ann Annis
Born 29 Mar 1852; married C. Will Cross.

William Frank Annis
Born 13 Feb 1854 in Wisconsin; died 20 Dec 1869.

Elmer Elem Annis
Born 8 Feb [or May] 1862, Boone County, IA; died 20 Dec 1869.