WAUPACA REPUBLICAN POST

October 24, 1912

 

LITTLE ALLAN LORD DEAD.

 

Accidentally Shot in the Head at Demarest’s Grove Last Sunday.

Youngest Son of Mr. and Mrs. Irving P. Lord.

 

            The people of Waupaca were shocked Sunday afternoon between four and five o’clock at the report current that Allan Lord, the eleven year old son of Mr. and Mrs. Irving P. Lord, had been accidentally shot and killed.  It appears that shortly after three o’clock in the afternoon, little Allen accompanied by Harvey Johnson, the thirteen year old son of Mr. and Mrs. Gus Johnson, who reside on School Street, left the Lord residence each with a little 22 caliber rifle, going to Demarest’s field for he purpose of shooting at a mark.  Gerald Whale went part way with them, and then returned to his home.  When Allen and Harvey reached the grove, they spent the greater portion of an hour shooting, and having, as they supposed, fired all of the cartridges they had brought with them, started to return home.  While leaving the grove, they were marching along playing soldier; Harvey carrying Allen’s gun and Allen carrying the one that Harvey had used.  It having been borrowed by him from Raymond Hofberger.  The two boys had proceeded but a short distance when they began scuffling a little, Allan desiring to take his own gun.  During the scuffle, Allan fell to the ground, and Harvey in swinging about, with his hand evidently on the trigger, caused it to act and immediately a report came, sending the unknown last bullet into Allan’s head just above the right ear, as the little fellow lay on the ground.  Harvey realized that his companion had been shot and attempted to pick him up and carry him to the road, but was unable to do so.  He then ran to a near-by house and told what had occurred.  A telephone message was immediately sent to Dr. Pelton’s house and to Mrs. Lord informing them of the accident.  Dr. Pelton with his automobile hurried to the scene, and on his way picked up Mrs. Lord and took her with him.  When they reached the fence enclosing the field, they saw Harvey waving his hands and calling.  In the meantime, Mr. Ward Falgatter had heard of the accident, and followed with his auto.  Dr. Pelton reached the boys quickly and picked up Allan, who was then alive. He took him in his automobile and followed Mr. Falgatter with Mrs. Lord to the latter’s home.  The wound was such that human aid could not save Allan’s life, and he died fifteen minutes after reaching home, having never regained consciousness from the moment the shot struck him.  The bullet, though small, penetrated the head and lodged near the base of the brain.

            Mr. Lord was in Buffalo, N.Y. at the time of the accident, and a telegram was immediately sent informing him of what had happened.  A telegram was also sent to Miss Betty Lord, who was attending Milwaukee Downer College, and she arrived home that same night.  Mr. Lord was fortunate in making close train connections and reached home Monday afternoon on the train from Chicago.

            Services were held at the house Tuesday afternoon by Rev. Wilson, rector of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church.  The little coffin and side of the room were literally banked with beautiful flowers sent by loving friends of Allan and the family.

            Allan Converse Lord, the youngest son of Irving P. and Grace B. Lord, was born in Waupaca, Jan. 13, 1901, and at his death was a trifle over eleven years nine months old.  He was a bright, active and attractive child, well known to a good many people in town as well as to numerous southern guests who have spent summers at the Grand View Hotel.  Everybody seemed to love the little fellow, and no death has occurred for a long time in Waupaca where there was more evidence of profound sorrow and sympathy.  Interment was at Lake View Cemetery, in the family lot.  Dozens of letters and telegrams containing expressions of sympathy and condolence have been received by the family.