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Submitted: 5/11/08 • Approved: 5/11/08 • Last Updated: 2/17/13 • R55758-G0-S3
JOHANNES WEERS
Sept. 18, 1869
May 13, 1911
One of the most distressing accidents in the history of the county took place last Saturday, shortly after noon, resulting in the death of John Weers, at his home nine miles southwest of this city. According to information gleaned by the sheriff and coroner, who immediately repaired to the scene of the accident, the story of the sad affair is as follows:
Shortly after the noon hour, Mr. Weers was seated in his home reading a newspaper, when one of his children came running in to tell him that a number of rats were then playing about in the barn, and it would be a good opportunity to kill some of them. Securing his shot gun and a couple of shells, Mr. Weers started for the barn, and in doing this passed through a gate which opened in the fence surrounding the house. This gate closed with a chain and weight and after the unfortunate man passed through it swung back so suddenly as to catch the hammers of the loaded gun, which he was carrying by the muzzle, and the weapon was discharged.
It was evident by the examination of the body, that one charge missed him, the only evidence of it being a slightly torn and powder-burned spot on the right sleeve. The other charge, however, penetrated the right side of the back near the spinal column, passing almost entirely throught the body. Mr. Weers' seventeen-year-old daughter was following close behind him as he went toward the barn. She stated that she was so startled and stunned by the noise that she could hardly realise at the time what was really occurring, but that when the smoke cleared away she saw her father stagger forward several feet and fall.
Mrs. Weers, hearing the shots, rushed from the house to her husband's side, but he was already unconcious and died within a few moments. It was so clearly a case of accidental death that Coroner Irvin thought it unnecessary to hold an inquest. The funeral services were held on Tuesday from the Stone Church, southwest of this city, the attendance being very large.
Deceased was the son of Mr. and Mrs. John Weers, and was forty-one years of age at the time of his death. He leaves besides a heartbroken wife, one daughter and five sons to mourn his sudden and untimely death; two brothers, Herman and Henry Weers, two half sister, Meadames August Polfus and Henry Wehmer; and four sister, Meadames Geo. Aden, Mary Schleufer, Fred Brundselmyer and Frank Rohrs, besides many other relatives, all of whom were in attendance at the funeral.
Mr. Weers was a member of the I. O. O. F. and Sons of Herman orders, was a man of most excellent character, energetic, thrifty and very fond of his home and family. His sudden and unfortunate taking away is indeed sad and his many friends units in extending to the bereaved relatives the sincerest sympathy.
Contributed on 5/11/08 by carmar.kress
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Record #: 55758