The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1908-05-14
1T WAS AN ACCIDENT.
Sherman S. Horner Shot Himself in
the Foot With HammerIess Gun
and Died Same Evening.

/
previous Saturday, but at that time no
particulars of his death aside from the
telegram announcing his death had
been received. Mr.. Horner was born
and raised at Decatur City, and was
married number of years ago to Miss
Hortense Dilsaver, Of this city. Mrs.
Horner's sister, Mrs. Horace Faruuhar.
on Thursday received copy OF the
daily Statesman, published at Boise.
dated Sunday, May 3rd, which gives
the following particulars of the ac-
cident:
Samuel S. Horner is dead. His life
went out about 4:30 o'clock yesterday
afternoon at st. Luke's hospital where
he had been taken early in the after
noon suffering great pain from gun
shot wound in his left leg caused by the
accidental discharge of a gun with
which Mr.. Horner was hunting near
the foot hills west of the penitentiary.
The discharge from the gun had al
most taken his left foot off and when
the hospital was reached it was soon
determined that an operation was neces-
sary. The patient was given an an
aesthetic and DR.. j. S. Springer cut
the leg off about two inches above the
ankle. The physician later stated that
his patient was in good condition when
the doctor left the hospital. About two
hours later the patient lapsed into an
unconscious state from which he did
not awaken.
Taking his hammerless shot gun, Mr..
Horner left his home quite early yester-
day morning and, taking Warm Springs
avenue car, alighted at the Natatorium
and went to the foot hills. He stopped
for some time at point where H. H.
Quarles is tunneling for water on side
hill near the penitentiary and talked.
with Mr.. Quarles, the men being verv
friendly. When Mr.. Quarles left to enter
the tunnel Mr.. Horner started away.
saying that he would go out to geb
some ground hogs and would stay
around and return to the city with Me.
Quarles at lunch hour.
Mr.. Quarles was in the tunnel only Il
short time and when he came out Me.
Horner, seated on the ground about 80
feet away, called to him to come to his
assistance, that he had shot himself.
The deceased was of that happy frame
of mind and often joked with his
friends, and Mr.. Quarles thought he
was joking until second and more
urgent call for aid caused him to rush
to his assistance.
He found Mr.. Horner sitting on tie
ground with his gun across his knees
He had heard the shot as he was COM
ing out of the tunnel and at first
looked to see if the hunter had killed
anything. From the tunnel he could
see no evidence of an accident, but as
he neared the spot where Mr.. Horner
sat he was Mortified to see that the
mans left foot had been nearly shot
of and the ground saturated with his
blood.
Mr.. Quarles first act was to tie his
handkerchief around the ankle to stop
the flow of blood and taking the gun
he removed the remaining charge and
the discharged cartridge and threw
both away. He summoned the several
men working in the tunnel and going to
the street car barn nearby telephoned
to the penitentiary for carriage which
was sent at once and the injured man
taken to the hospital.
Last evening Mr.. Quarles, telling of
the accident, could not explain why he
had taken the gun from Mr.. Horner but
that he did probably prevented the man
taking his own life. AS the pain be-
came more severe the Injured man asked
that his gun be given him. LET me
have that gnn,' he said, "and they will
not have to take me to the hospital.
Think OF a man having to go through
life with one foot off," He pleaded for
the weapon but it was not given him.
Mr.. Horner told Mr.. Quarles how the
accident happened. He said he had
shot two ground hogs and had the
safety on his gun adjusted. No doubt
he only supposed the safety was ad-
justed for when his finger touched the
trigger the gun was discharged and the
shot entered his ankle, the gun being
carried muzzle down as guns are carried
for safety.
Mr.. Horner was born in Iowa about
AZ years ago. He came west and located
at Heppner, Ore, and then at Weiser.
From the latter place he came to Boise
about eight years ago, associating him
self first with Albert Kohny and then
he took charge of the mems department
of the Golden Rule store where he re-
NAMED until elected treasurer of Ada
county. He was reelected second
term and on the expiration of his term
went into the clothing business for him
SoAAS s'a" A@oSAy was dSoOS1dCCo WlUu CuO
firm of Horner & Gooding. Only few
weeks ago he quit business. He was
prominent in political, lodge and mu-
sical circles and for years was mem
ber of the Methodist church choir. He
was member of the Rights of Pythias
and Elk lodges.
The deceased was one of those per-
sons always of happy disposition,
whose everyday life made the world
brighter-generous to fault and will
ing at all times to aid a fellow man,
maintaining his happy disposition in
the face of business and other reverses.
He was we'll known and popular with
all who knew him.
Besides his wife who survives him
Mr.. Horner leaves two daughters who
reside at the family residence, Seventh
and Washington streets.
The funeral arrangements were not
fully completed last night.
All cemetery lot owners, or others in
terested, who will contribute to the
annual cemetery improvement fund for
this year, please remit to the treasurer,