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Note: - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Notes Individual: HAROLD G WOODS OF DECATUR SHOT AND INSTANTLY KILLED Harold Woods age 14 years and a son of John B Woods of this village, was shot and killed by his playmate, Beryl Adams, also age 14 years, at the Woods farm in Hamilton twp. last Thursday shortly after noon. The boys had accompanied John B Woods to the farm and had assisted him in doing some farm work during the forenoon. They ate their dinner in the old house upon the farm. After dinner John B Woods went out of the house, byt before going out told the boys not to touch a shotgun that was standing in the corner, as it was loaded. The boys then began talking about the gun and each asserted that he was not afraid of it. The Adams boy reached a- round from a milkcan he was sitting to show Harold he was not afraid of it, hit it. Harold punched it with a old buggy spoke when he moved his hands. The gun exploded, the charge striking Harold in the left cheek,passing upward and lodged in his brain at the top of the head. John B Woods hearing the explosion, looked in the door just in time to see his son fall. The Adams boy cannot tell whether the gun slipped from his hands and he caused the explosion or whether Harold caused by striking it with the buggy spoke. No blame is attached to the Adams boy, ex- cept that of his disobedience to the order of John B Woods not to touch the gun and of extreme carelessness, and the same blame would attach to the to the dead boy. Harold Woods lived with his father in Decatur Village. Buryl Adams is a son of Charles Adams of Dowagiac, but has been in the charge of his guardian S,P. Ball of Wayne twp. for sometime past, his mother having died some three years ago. Mr Ball had secured him a home in the family of E.F. Baxter of Hamilton twp., where he resided at the time of the accident. The day before the accident young Adams came to visit Harold with Mr. and Mrs. Baxter. When they were ready to go home they could not find him and returned without him. He stayed all night with the Woods boy and the next day went to the farm with Harold and his father. No coronor's inquest was held; It was not deemed necessary. The funeral services of the dead boy were held at the Methodist Church in Decatur Sunday at 2:30 o"clock. His burial was in Hamilton Cemetery. Harold G Woods was born Jan.31,1895, in Hamilton twp. He died June 17,1909. Aged 14 years, 4 months and 7 days. When he was two years old his darling mother died. He then went to live with his Aunt, Mrs. Pound until he was six years old. In 1899 his father was again married, making a home for his children, and Harold came home to live, where he has been for the greater part of the intervening time. Harold was a happy bright faced boy, with a smile for everybody. His neighbors all loved him for his sweet disposition. On Wed. night a companion stayed with Harold at his home and in company with the father and brother they went to the farm on Thursday. At noon playing in the yard with his friend, Harold was accidentally shot through the head and fell at his companions feet dead. He leaves to mourn his father, one sister and two brothers, and a host of friends in the neigh- berhood of his Aunt where he spent six years of his life. His funeral was held in the Methodist Church on Sunday at 2:30. Rev. J.W. Davids officiating. We laid his body away in Hamilton Cemetery. CARDS OF THANKS We desire to express our sincere thanks to our many friends who assisted in our sad bereavement and showed us so much kindness. John B Woods and Family
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