Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-11-29
OFFICER KENT DEAD.
Death the Result Of Last Weeks
Accidental Shooting.
PASSED AWAY EARLY THIS MORNING

The Lamented Officer Operated On at
ottumwa Hospital Last Night, But
Because of Weakened Condition
Could Not Survive the Shock.
The sad sequel to one of the most
unfortunate accidents which has hap
pened in Ottumwa for several years
was enacted at GAO o'clock this morn
ing, when Policeman ]. L. Kent, who
accidentally shot himself about two
weeks ago, succumhed to his injuries
in the Ottumwa hospital. When hope
seemed bright for his recovery the
happened and, altho eve
rything possible was done for his ben
eft and to speed his recovery, his
constitution proved unable to with
stand the shock of his injuries and SUI
ferings, and death finally wrote fms"
to the sad story of the accident.
There was no more popular nor
manly member of the Ottumwa police
force, or for that matter, no better cit
izen than Mr. Kent, and when an I'M
fortunate. accident caused him to
shoot himself while in the discharge
of his duty, every one who knew him
felt genuine sorrow because of the af-
fair. His injuries were not regarded
as very serious, however, and his
death this morning comes as sad
surprise 10 his many friends.
The Shooting.
He was injured in the evening of
Wednesday, November 81. While act
ing as desk sergeant at the police sta
ton he received word that vicious
dog was annoying pedestrians at the
corner of Fourth and Court streets.
He went to the place and attempted
to unsneath his revolver in order to
shoot the animal, when the trigger of
the gun caught in his clothing and
the weapon was discharged, the bullet
striking his right leg near the groin
and ranging downward to point a
few inches below the knee joint, from
which place it was afterwards remov-
ed by DR.. A. o. Williams.
The injured man was removed to
his home and the best possible care
\, was given him, but his condition grew
\ worse as time went on, and yesterday
4 it was found necessary OF perform an
/ operation in order to drain the for
! eign matter from the wound, as that
I was the only way in which recovery
4 could be made possible. Accordingly
he was taken to the Ottumwa hospital,
/ the street car company furnishing a
/ car for that purpose and every eau
\ ton being taken to avoid further
trouble to the patient than absolutely
! necessary.
The patient was given chloroform
and the operation was performed by
LIS. d. A. and w. b. La Force. A. o.
i Hams, D. G. Brockman, E. A,
4 Sheafe, and S. A. Spilman. Mr.. Kent
was not strong enough to recover and
i slowly failed until death came at SAC
/, this morning.
Obituary Mention.
i j. Lawrence Kent was the youngest
4 son of Mr.. and Mrs. John Kent. He
was born February 3, 1859, on a farm
( near Blakesburg. He spent the great.
er part of his life in sat vicinity, and
when he grew to manhood he took
up sarlning pursuits. In 1880 he was
/ united in marriage to Delilih Reed
whose home was near that of Mr.
kent's parents.
.E To this union were born the follow,
/! ing children, all of whom are living:
Oda, Victor James and Queen Oda
the eldest daughter, is living at the
home of relatives in Norfolk, Nebras
ka, and the other three are at the fam
lily home. Mr.. AMI Mrs. Kent resided
on farm until about seven years
ago, when falling health on the part oil
both prompted them to remove to this
city, where they occupied the house
at the corner of Moore street and Wa
bash avenue, which has since beer
Mr.. Kent's home. After coming to OF
tumwa Mr.. Kent engaged in a feed
business and later associated himseli
with G. w. Blair in the same line, He
was known to all with whom he came
in contact as an honest, upright bust
I ness man, and he won the respect o.
his fellow citizens.
4 Mrs. Kent's health continued to fail
until she yielded to consumption
about year after removing to the ci
.lty. Mr.. Kent also grew worse il
health, and it was thought that he hat
contracted the disease which causeC
the death of his wife.
Mr.. Kent was associated with tn,
democratic party all his life and whei
that organization gained control O
the affairs of the city in 1897, he wal
appointed to position on the polio
force He did his duty as police
man with the same honesty and fair
ness he displayed as business mai
and he gained many friends by his ei
fieient and careful work. Some tim
ago he was appointed desk sergean
and was filing the place when the ac
cident occurred that caused his death
On January 20, 1896, Mr.. Kent wa
united in marriage to Miss Rosa Pun
roy, who, together with their two chi
dren, Byron and Ruby, is left t
mourn his death. Mr. Kent's fathe
died several years ago, but his moth
Eer, Mrs. John Kent, still survives, an
resides on the old home place nea
4 Blakesburg, The two brothers an
three sisters, who complete the fan
lily are as follows: William Kent, G
Blakesburg; Thomas Kent, who re