Individual Details

Death

Fatal Accident
Castle Rock Journal 11-19-1890
"The community of West Plum Creek was greatly shocked by the announcement of the sudden death of Fred J. Stevens, which occurred on November 10, while he, with several others, was in the mountains, about thirtymiles from home, hunting. He arose early that morning and went out from camp before breakfast and killed two deer and wounded another with one shot. After breakfast he, with another of the company, took the team and went after the deer which they had cerried together in a convenient place to load but did not load them as Fred conculded to follow the wounded deer awhile and try to get it, saying that he would do so alone, but would return and load the other two into the wagon and go into camp about one o'clock. When all had got into camp about dark, Fred was not there and a lantern was procured and search made. It was found that he had come back to the team, driven it to where the deer were carried together and loaded one of them, but while in the wagon arranging for the other, his gun had been accidentally discharged, sending the contents through his head. The load entered just below the chin and came out the back side of the head, and, doubtless killed him instantly. He was taken into camp and the next morning was taken home to his distracted parents. Funeral services were held November 13 at the church on West Plum Creek. A large company gathered to pay their last respects to the deceased and to sympathize with the stricken relatives. Deceased would have been 26 years old if he had lived until Christmas, and was a son of Mr. and Mrs. L.G. Stevens. The parents are the more sorrowful as it is only one short month since their daughter, Mrs. Mary M. Kingsbury closed her eyes in death and was laid to rest in the same cemetery."