Keith Black (1923) Alternate

BLACK

Posted By: Pat Hochstetler
Date: 4/2/2025 at 07:35:27

Osceola Sentinel
Osceola, Iowa
July 5, 1923
Page 4, Column 7

Friday, about five o’clock, the sad news was received here of the accidental shooting of Keith Black over on Squaw Creek, when a telephone message called Dr. Sayre to the J. R. Black home, southeast of St. Charles.

Keith and his father, Everett Bumbarger and Earl Smith, had gone to Squaw Creek, 12 or 15 miles southeast of this place, on a fishing trip. The two young men, Earl Smith and Keith Black, were fishing near together. Turtles were bothering and Keith had a 22 caliber Stevens repeating rifle and was going to shoot some of the turtles. The mechanism of the gun did not work right and he had the gun between his knees and was working with it, the muzzle pointed toward him when it went off and the bullet entered his forehead. Earl, who was fishing heard the shot and looked and saw Keith fall down the bank and partly into the creek. He ran and pulled him out and called to the others who were some distance away. They got him in the car and brought him home where the doctor had arrived. An examination was made and it was decided to rush him to the hospital at Des Moines to which place he was taken by auto. When the doctors at the hospital examined him they said there was no hope for him and he passed away about 10 o’clock that night without regaining consciousness.

The entire community was shocked and plunged in deep sorrow at the terrible accident. Keith was an exemplary young man, having good habits, a Christian character and pleasing disposition.

The funeral services were held Sunday afternoon at the Church of Christ. The sermon was given by L. R. Gans, assisted by Revs. Park and Parks. Only a part of the large number of people who gathered to pay their last tribute of respect to the deceased were able to gain admission to the church, many standing on the outside. He was laid to rest in the St. Charles cemetery. The entire community sympathizes with the bereaved relatives in their sorrow.