Individual:
HAROLD G WOODS OF DECATUR
SHOT AND INSTANTLY KILLED

Harold Woods age 14 years and a son of John
B Woods of this village, was shot and killed by
his playmate, Beryl Adams, also age 14 years, at
the Woods farm in Hamilton twp. last Thursday
shortly after noon.
The boys had accompanied John B Woods to
the farm and had assisted him in doing some
farm work during the forenoon. They ate their
dinner in the old house upon the farm. After
dinner John B Woods went out of the house,
byt before going out told the boys not to touch
a shotgun that was standing in the corner, as
it was loaded. The boys then began talking
about the gun and each asserted that he was
not afraid of it. The Adams boy reached a-
round from a milkcan he was sitting
to show Harold he was not afraid of it, hit it.
Harold punched it with a old buggy spoke when
he moved his hands. The gun exploded, the
charge striking Harold in the left cheek,passing
upward and lodged in his brain at the top of
the head.
John B Woods hearing the explosion, looked
in the door just in time to see his son fall.
The Adams boy cannot tell whether the gun
slipped from his hands and he caused the
explosion or whether Harold caused by
striking it with the buggy spoke.
No blame is attached to the Adams boy, ex-
cept that of his disobedience to the order
of John B Woods not to touch the gun and
of extreme carelessness, and the same
blame would attach to the to the dead boy.
Harold Woods lived with his father in Decatur
Village. Buryl Adams is a son of Charles Adams
of Dowagiac, but has been in the charge of his
guardian S,P. Ball of Wayne twp. for sometime
past, his mother having died some three years
ago. Mr Ball had secured him a home in the
family of E.F. Baxter of Hamilton twp., where
he resided at the time of the accident.
The day before the accident young Adams
came to visit Harold with Mr. and Mrs. Baxter.
When they were ready to go home they could
not find him and returned without him. He
stayed all night with the Woods boy and the next
day went to the farm with Harold and his father.
No coronor's inquest was held; It was not deemed
necessary.
The funeral services of the dead boy were held
at the Methodist Church in Decatur Sunday at 2:30
o"clock. His burial was in Hamilton Cemetery.

Harold G Woods was born Jan.31,1895, in Hamilton twp.
He died June 17,1909. Aged 14 years, 4 months and
7 days. When he was two years old his darling mother
died. He then went to live with his Aunt, Mrs. Pound until
he was six years old. In 1899 his father was again
married, making a home for his children, and Harold
came home to live, where he has been for the
greater part of the intervening time.
Harold was a happy bright faced boy, with a
smile for everybody.
His neighbors all loved him for his sweet
disposition.
On Wed. night a companion stayed with Harold
at his home and in company with the father and
brother they went to the farm on Thursday. At
noon playing in the yard with his friend, Harold
was accidentally shot through the head and fell
at his companions feet dead.
He leaves to mourn his father, one sister and
two brothers, and a host of friends in the neigh-
berhood of his Aunt where he spent six years of
his life. His funeral was held in the Methodist
Church on Sunday at 2:30. Rev. J.W. Davids
officiating. We laid his body away in Hamilton
Cemetery.



CARDS OF THANKS

We desire to express our sincere thanks
to our many friends who assisted in our
sad bereavement and showed us so much
kindness.
John B Woods and Family