Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1918-07-25
KICKED BY HORSE;
INSTANTLY KILLED
TRAGIC DEATH OF YOUNG MAN
SPREADS GLOOM OVER EN-
TIRE COMMUNITY WHERE i.
HE WAS LOVED

Like a clap of thunder from a
clear sky came the sad news at
noon Saturday that Vernon Reed
had been instantly killed at the M.
T. Masterson farm, three miles
southeast of town. Vernon is the
twelve year old son of Mr.. and Mrs.
Z. Reed of this city, and since the
close Of school has been doing work
On the farm.
He went to the Mastersen home
where he helped put up hay. He
found great sport in riding horse
back, and this proved his untimely
death. He accompanied Mr.. Mas
tersen and son Harold to the hay
field Saturday morning and had
Just finished bringing in the last
load. They started to unhitch the
team and when that was done
Vernon got onto one of the horses
to ride him to the barn. The
horse had never been ridden and
Harold Masterson seeing what YER
non was doing called at him not to
do so, but he spoke too late. The
horse bucked throwing Vernon of.
He became entangled in the har-
ness and was dragged some two
hundred feet before he was releas-
ed. He must have been fatally in
jured as soon as he struck the
ground for when help reached him
he breathed but time or two and
then closed his eyes in death.
This distressing accident has COM
pletely overwhelmed Mr.. Masterson
and his family. They are heartbrok-
en- over the unfortunate affair, but
80 - n al 10 q
nor is any one blaming them.
The heartfelt sympathy of the en-
tire community is extended to Mr..
Reed and his family. Vernon was a
loved by everyone. He vas ambi-
tious and full of energy, and desired
so much to be doing something that
was worth while.
1t is sad to give up one whose in
fluence among others would doubt
less have been for good; who by pre-
cept and example was so well cal
culated to spread abroad the blessed
influence of godly living. Yet He
who doeth all things well, makes no
mistakes. The human link snapped
asunder on earth is forged anew in
heaven. The yeaming parents do
not mourn as those without hope.
1t is true that when beautiful
youth is gone, not much of life re-
mains; hence the dear ines eyes are
closed to all earthly trials. None
but those who have sat in the shad-
ow of a great bereavement can justly
weigh such a sorrow as has come to
Mr.. and Mrs. Reed. Those who have
gone down into the valley of suffer-
I'm ln hot
find solace in the tenderest words.
Vernon Reed, sou of Ernest and
Martha Reed, was born in Williams
burg, Iowa, January "a, 1905, and
died Saturday, July 20, 1918, aged
13 years, months and &c days. He
came to Audubon in March 1912,
with his parents, where with the
family he has since resided. He
was a pupil in the seventh grade of
our public schools, and 2 member OF
the Methodist Episcopal church,
having united with the church during
the pastorate of Rev. Jackson Gid
dens. He was a good boy, of clean
life and cheering manner. He GER
tainly frightened any circle in which
he moved. He Joined the Boy
Scouts when he became twelve years
of age and was loved and trusted
by all the boys. He was a member
of Miss Daisy Tricks Sunday school
class and We are sure that the in
auence of his life will ever be bles-
sing to those who knew him.
Funeral services were held at the
Methodist church Monday afternoon
by the pastor, Rev. G. w. Proctor.
assisted by Rev. Jackson Giddens, of
Winterset, former pastor, and
Revs Mack and Lang Of this city.
Interment was made in Maple Grove
= cemetery.
Tn members of Troop One of the
Audubon Boy Scouts attended the
service in a body, six of their num-
Der acting as pail bearers.