Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1909-08-26
Death in a Harvest Field.

The most tragic accident that hat
occurred in this locality for year,
resulted in the death Thursday, Aug
II, 1909, of Homer d. Bates, a promis
ing young man of Pierpont, younger
son of Mr.. and Mrs j. j Bates Homer
was assisting his brother, Marcus, in
the harvest field four miles east OF
Pierpont. Both were driving binders
and they were gladdened with happy
anticlpations of it being their last day
harvest. About o'clock in the after
noon Homer left his team TO step few
feet away for some twie. The team
started and Home leaped for them.
grabbing the horse on the off side.
They threw him TO the ground, ran
over him and dragged him several rods.
Marcus heard the terrible noise and
looking around from his binder saw the
runaway team dashing toward him,
and saw his brother fall TO the ground
and wave his hand in distress. 1t was
a perilous moment. but Marcus jumped
from his binder and caught the wild
team, and after some time got both
teams under control, aud then rushed
to Homer whom he found lying uncon-
scious. He revived him with water
and telephoned for DIR. Murphy who
fastened to the field with an auto and
carried the dying boy to the home OF
Marcus. No bones were broken and
the body was bruised apparently only
in few places, but internal injuries
caused continual hemorrhages which
could not be checked and after agony
of about seven hours he passed away.
Homer was popular young business
man Of Pierpont, being partner in the
restaurant of Bristodeau & Bates for
a number of years until last autum
when he dissolved partnership, and in
company with Fred Guthrie, of Farm.
ington, entered the veterinary college
at Grand Rapids, Mich, where he
faithfully spent the school year. With
bright expectations of returning there
in two weeks to continue his course,
and with all arrangements made there
for, he was cut down by death in the
midst of JOY and youth.
Homer Don Bates was corn in Michi-
gan, Jan. 25, 1884, and came to South
Dakota wilh his parents eleven years
ago, residing at Langford short time
and then removing to Pierpont, where
by his quiet, kindly ways he became
favorite He was member of the
village base bail team and by his mas
Stunning skill In the "toss and catch" he
became very popular throughout the
county. Death has ended all, his joys
and labors and promises, and words are
inadequate to express our sympathy for
the grieved relatives. We can scarcely
believe that one so recently in health
has lett us. Again we are so sadly
reminded that in tine midst of life we
are at deaths door Another devoted
mothers heart is bleeding with sorrow.
God in his infinite wisdom, which is
beyond mortal comprehensive, knows
why.
Deceased leaves his parents, brother,
Marcus and family, and his sister, Mrs.
ID. e. Cameron, all of Homer township,
to mourn his untimely passing away.
Services were conducted at the Pier
pont Presbyterian church Friday, at
p M, by Rev S. Millett, who chose
for his text, James Ala: FOR what is
your life? 1t is even a vapor that
appeareth for little while and then
vanisheth away" During the cere-
monies the doors of all the business
firms were closed in memory and
respect to the departed one who now
sleeps in our City of Silence.
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