The Athena press. [volume] (Athena, Umatilla County, Or.) 18??-1942, 1909-12-10
A FATAL ACCIDENT
Henry LaBrasche Shot While Hunting
Died After Left Leg Had
Been Amputated.

Henry La Brasche, a we'll known
young man of this vicinity met with
fatal accident while duck hunting
on the Umatilla river. Monday. when
bis shot gun was accidentally dischar-
ged. He died in the hospital at Pen
dle'on, after surgical operation, at
which time his left leg was amputated
ss last resort to save his life.
In company with Harry Alexander
and young man named Carlton,
Henry left his home Monday morning
for the river. Arriving at the foot
of Thorn Hollow, Carlton went down
the river and LaBrasohe and Alexan-
der went up the river to a point Ee
tween Thorn Hollow Station aud Glib
bon. opposite Harry Sayer's. place.
Henry bad placed his gun against a
log and standing few feet from it,
when his dog jumped over the log,
knocking it over aud disoharging it.
The full load of shot passed through
the left leg above the knee, making
terrible wound aud shattering the
bone.
Alexander, who was near, went to
the prostIated mans assistance and
bound the wound the best be could to
stop the flow of tlood. and Immediate
ly swan the river to secure help. He
went to Sayers' place and procured a
team and with the assistance of Mr..
Suyer's hired man. removed Henry
to GiEbon.
At the station. stimulants were
administered. and all that could be
done to relieve the victim of the aoci-
dent was accomplished while waiting
for train to take him to Pendleton.
The accident occurred about noon
and it was about the middle of the
afternoon Eefore Pendleton was
reached and Mr.. LaBrasche was un-
der the surgeons care. The family
was notified and went to Peudleton on
Monday evenings train.
AT first it was reported here that
the wound was not of a serious nature,
the report evidently being based on
the courageous. gritty manner in which
Henry bore up under the shock, but
when the surgeons dressed the
wound they found that the only hope
of saving his life was by amputating
the limb.
The operation was performed Tues
day forenoon. Mr.. LaBlasche rallied
from the effects of the operation with
fair indications of having sufficient
strength to survive but it proved to
be only superhuman effort of vital
ity. His constitution had been called
upon to withstand more than it posi-
bly, could. after so much OF his life's
blood had ebbed away. He grew
weaker and weaker until the end come
at $3.50 Wednesday morning.
The remains were brought to Ath-
ena Wednesday, and the funeral was
held yesterday at 1880 o'clock. Ser
vices were conducted at the Methodist
church by Rev. Payne, of Weston.
The funeral was largely attended, de-
spite the fact that the weather was
inclement.
Henry LaBrache was born near Ath-
eDa July 28. 1888, at the time of his
death being aged 26 years, months
and 10 days. lie was we'll known in
Eastern Oregon and Washington ath-
letio circles and ranked high as base
ball pitcher, having held positions on
some of the best teams of both states.
He was also an accomplished must
clan. and up to the time of the death
of his brother, Clarence, was leader
and director of the LaBrasche orohes-
ira.
About three years ago he was unit
ed in marriage with Miss Edna Lin
vile Of WestoI, who with her little
son, father, mother and sister, sur
wives him.