Bloomington (Monroe County, Indiana) Evening World, October 2, 1916, p. 1. Soldier Killed By One of His Comrades Through Carelessness DETAILS OF THE DEATH OF PRIVATE JOHN STEINHAGEN, OF STINESVILLE. Letter From Capt. Perkins To Boy's Mother. Contrary to what was first believed, Private John Steinhagen, of Stinesville, a member of the regular army, who recruited only last June in this city, was not killed by Mexican snipers, but by accident, one of his comrades carelessly discharging his rifle. Mrs. Steinhagen has received a letter from Captain Alvin S. Perkins, commander of Troop F, of the Sixth Calvary at Presido, Texas, which gives the particulars as follows: "My dear Mrs. Steinhagen: It becomes my painful duty to announce to you the death of your son last evening about 5:50 p.m. Just after supper he had gone upstairs to the signal room in which he slept, laid down on his back and dozed while waiting for retreat formation which was to take place within a few minutes. About this time another young man, Private Edward J. McCabe, who had joined the Troop about six weeks ago, came in, picked up his rifle in order to brush off the dust for retreat formation, sat down on his cot about ten feet from that of your son and laid his rifle across his knee so that the muzzle was pointing toward your son. The evening before Private McCabe had been out on patrol duty and had loaded his rifle without orders to do so and without the knowledge of the non-commissioned officer in charge of the patrol. As it was not known his rifle was loaded, he was not ordered to unload it and forgot to do so himself, so that he brought the rifle loaded into barracks, contrary to orders, upon his return the following morning. "When he picked up his rifle in the evening, he stated, and a thorough investigation convinces me his statement was true, that he had entirely forgotten the fact his rifle was loaded and he pulled the trigger without any intention of discharging the rifle. "The bullet struck your son after passing through several thicknesses of blankets, in the neck, on the right side, and severed the jugular vessel and passed upward into his head. The fact that the bullet first went through the blankets, caused it to turn over and make a large wound at the point of entrance and remain in the head. Although both the surgeon and myself reached the spot within five minutes after the accident, death had already taken place, and as the expression on John's face was very peaceful, without any sign of a struggle, the probabilities are very great, that he never knew that he had been struck and that his end was painless. "The boy that is responsible for the accident is entirely broken up over it and of course will have to face the consequences of his criminal carelessness. While your son had been in the organization but three weeks he was very well liked by all the men and they extend their sincere sympathy. John made a very favorable impression on me and when it developed upon my questioning him, that he had so much better education than the average recruit, I advised him if he, upon due consideration, thought that he would like the army for a career, to keep up his studies and try for an army appointment at West Point, in March. I do not know what decision he had come to but it may be a comfort to you to know that his conduct during the time he served in my organization was exemplary. Although he was kept working nine or ten hours daily, he was always cheerful and did everything to the best of his ability, and I feel sure that he would have made good, not only as a soldier but in whatever career he decided to follow, after his term of service was over, had he elected not to try for West Point. "The troop tried to arrange for some flowers to be delivered in time for your son's funeral. Should they fail to arrive I want you to know that the effort was made, but we are almost lost in the desert at this place, and I fear that our effort may have been in vain. Your son left some articles of clothing of which I enclose a list, which we will forward to you upon your request. "If there is any further information I can give you or any service I can render, consider me at your service. I am only sorrow [sic] I can do and say so little. With deepest sympathy, I am Very sincerely Alvin S. Perkins, Captain Sixth Cavalry Commanding Troop F."