Surnames: Dickinson, Dewhurst, Tragsdorf

----Source: NEILLSVILLE TIMES (Neillsville, Clark County, Wis.) 08/29/1901

Dickinson, Thomas D. (12 FEB 1887 - 26 AUG 1901)

Tommy Dickinson and Frank Tragsdorf started from Tommy’s home Monday afternoon to go over to Lowe’s woods and shoot crows with 22 caliber toy rifles. They had gone but a few rods, on C.A. Youmans’ back lot, when a gun, which Tommy was carrying, went off, the bullet hitting Tommy in the head. He fell to the ground and Frank ran to the Dickinson home with news of the accident. Tommy was carried home and surgeons sent for, but their services were not needed. The boy was dead when they reached the house.

The bullet entered his head back of his right ear, a somewhat singular place for such a wound under the circumstances, stated, but if he fell, as is supposed, dropping the gun, the ball might go in any direction. The awfulness of the accident was such that minor details were forgotten. It seems that Tommy was carrying both guns and his playmate had turned back to shut the gate that he had left open, Tommy telling him to go back and shut it, as it was a gate leading into Mr. Youmans’ cow yard. While thus engaged Frank heard the pop of a gun, looked around and saw Tommy lying on his face with the guns on the ground. He thought Tom was fooling him and went up and pushed him a little to make him get up, but seeing blood on his head he decided that it was not a joke, and hurried back to the house as stated.

Thomas Decatur Dickinson was born in this city Feb. 12th, 1887. in the old home that stood where Chas. Burpee’s modern residence now stands, and was therefore 14 years, 6 mos. And 14 days old.

The funeral was held from the house yesterday at 2 p.m., rev. G.N. Foster speaking.

The family is broken-hearted over the event. The sister, Grace, was with her aunt, Mrs. Dewhurst, in Chicago, and was telegraphed for.

Deceased was the youngest of the children, and was a model boy, kind and generous to all, a great lover of home, fond of camping and trips to the woods, bright, and a general favorite. The community was greatly shocked, and on every corner groups of people discussed the accident, expressing deeply felt sorrow and sympathy for the family.