The Chariton Leader, Chariton, Iowa Thursday, December 17, 1908 In this issue we are obliged to chronicle death of another of Lacona's well known citizens and his sudden death casts another shadow of gloom over our darkened community. MR. MILLS and his companion, John Cleveland, had been hunting, Wednesday, in the brush patch between the latter's farm and Hadley's, and were preparing to return home in the middle of the afternoon. While on their way to the buggy, Mr. Cleveland, who was a few feet in the rear of MR. MILLS, heard the report of a gun and the pitiful cries of MR. MILLS calling, "I'm shot." MR. MILLS then started at a brisk walk for the buggy and after walking several feet and climbing through a fence, he lost consciousness. Mr. Cleveland followed and after reviving him by rubbing his face with snow and carefully placing him on some blankets taken from the buggy, he started for help to the nearest farm house. He returned soon with help, and MR. MILLS was taken to the home of John Hadley, where he expired about ten minutes later from the loss of blood. Mr. Cleveland was carrying a double barrel hammerless shotgun and it is the supposition that a piece of brush flew back striking the trigger and discharging the weapon. No one doubts but what the incident was purely accidental and much sympathy is expressed for Mr. Cleveland, who is nearly prostrated with grief. The wound took effect in the left arm severing an artery and was so close to the shoulder that it was impossible to stop the flow of blood without a physician's aid. -- LACONA LEDGER. ------------------------------------------------------------------- Copied by Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert April 20, 2005 iggy29@rnetinc.net