Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-07-17
THROWN FROM HORSE
General S. H. M. Byers, Seriously
Injured by Runaway.
is WELL KNOWN INOTTUMWAMlLlTIA
Has Deep Cash Cut in Side of His
Head, And Left Leg Wrenched Sc
verely-Physicians Say He VIII Re.
cover.


[F'rom Saturdays Daily.1
At his home in Des Moines S. H.
NJ Byers, adjutant general of the Iowa
National Guard, and we'll known in
Ottumwa, is lying in quite precar-
ious condition suffering from injuries
received by being thrown from his
horse and dragged for half block,
while riding along West Grand avenue
in Des Moines. He was
rescued from his PROSTATE condition
by two pedestrians and carried into a
nearby residence, where he received
immediate medical attention. Upon
the first examination by the physi-
clans it was given out that the left
leg was badly wrenched, severe
gashes on the forehead and cheek,
left shoulder and the entire left side
badly bruised. 1t was given out lat
er that the general will recover.
unless some severe internal injury not
now apparent to the physicians,
should develop.
Well Known in Ottumwa.
General Byers is known in Ottumwa
both in military and literary circles.
AT the time of his last visit to this
city, which was made only few
weeks ago, he attended the annual in
spection of company G. From his
connection with the guard he is per.
sonally known to large majority Of
| the members of the local organiza-
| ton.
General Byers will also be remem-
bered as the author of the song
Iowa" and that the second prize Of
fered by him to the school which best
rendered that song was given to
the room at the Hedrick school taught
by Miss Edna Jones.
Thrown From His Horse.
/ Concerning the accident, the Des
Moines Capital says:
Major Byers was riding on West
Grand avenue, near the corner of
/ Twenty-frst street, when his horse
slipped and tumbled on the paving
and fell down. He was thrown to the
right and struck the stone curbing
as he fell. His right foot became en-.
i tangled in the stirrnp strap, and when
the horse struggled to it's feet and
dashed up the street, the major was
dragged for half block before the
strap broke and released his foot.
Major Byers was stunned, and lay
motionless on the pavement.
"'W d. Ferree and v. D. Hall, pes
Idestrians, were within a few feet Of
the spot where the injured man lay
and rushed to his assistance. Ferree
held the majors head in his lap while
Hall ran to several of the nearest
houses and brought half a dozen men,
cot was secured and major Byers
was carried into the house of Lowell
,, Chamberlain at 2100 Grand avenue.
, Dr. Crayke Priestly was summoned
and careful examination of the in-
juries was made.
Was Not Unconscious.
"Maior Byers did not lose conscious
ness, though he was rendered weak by
the shock and the loss of blood. He
S said he could not tell what frightened
g his horse and caused him to stumble.
!. When the horse regained it's feet and
4 started to run the major had not lost
# his presence of mind, but tried in vain
v to extricate his foot from the stirrup
o strap.
Mrs. Byers and son, Lawrence NJ.
F. Byers, were sent for and arrived at
f the injured mans side within few
!, minutes"
II SOidleF ana Wfller.
IS Major Byers is perhaps the best
n known literary man and old soldier in
l. Iowa He served with honor in the re
bellion and his books. Iowa in War
If Times" and Twenty Years in Europe
$ as well as number of little volumes
n of poems, have been read everywhere
II Major Byers served the United
6 States for something over twenty
# years in the diplomatic service, hold
is ing consulship of Zurich and othel
h. important positions in foreign lands
r His song of Iowa." published for the
first time a few years ago, has attain
ed a degree of popularity in the stat,
that probably never has been equale(
70 by the work of any other Iowa writer
ID The song has been committed to mem
N DRY and sung by hundreds of thousand.
70 of Iowa school children Major Dyer
" is a genial and loveable man AM
m counts his friends in Iowa by the thou
sands. "Sherman's March to the Sea
he is one of his best known poems. Hi
n Iowa in War Times" ranks high TO
n its historical value and literary merit
m
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