Obit: Rhea, Clinton (1891? - 1906)
Transcriber: Stan

Surnames: RHEA

----Source: CLARK COUNTY REPUBLICAN & PRESS (Neillsville, Wis.) 06/07/1906

Rhea, Clinton (1891? - 2 JUN 1906)

On Saturday one of the saddest accidents in the history of Clark County occurred at Thorp, by which Clinton Rhea, the fourteen year old son of Co. Supt. A.O. Rhea lost his life.

A Polish boy had been staying at Mr. Rhea's home for some time past, helping with the chores and attending school in the village. The boy had bought a 22 rifle and brought it to Mr. Rhea's house, but fearing some accident, Mr. Rhea had directed the boy to take the gun home and supposed he had done so. Afterwards while Mr. Rhea was absent, his wife discovered that the gun was still there and that this boy had a box of cartridges, saying that he was going home. Instead of starting for home the boys went out behind the barn to shoot at a target. Just as the boy was about to shoot at a mark, Clinton saw a bird near by and calling to the other to shoot at it instead of the mark, grasped the gun barrel to swing it around and in some way the muzzle came directly toward him just as the gun was discharged. The little fellow fell and died within a few minutes. His father was coming home on the train, which arrives in Thorp shortly after noon, but as the train was late, he arrived just after the accident.

The little boy was the only son of Mr. and Mrs. Rhea and the youngest of the family. He was his father's constant companion at home and a great source of assistance to his mother during his father's absence. The family is plunged in grief at his tragic death. Not only in Thorp, but all over the county, the greatest sympathy is felt for the bereaved family.