Dickinson, Reynolds Hill

Source: The Phonograph, Colby, WI, 24 Sep 1896,

"Accidentally Shot Himself.

News was received in the city, last Thursday afternoon, that R.H. Dickinson, of the town of Hull, had died from the effects of a gunshot wound, self inflicted, accidentally. He had been cleaning his gun, loaded it and in attempting to hang it up it was, in some way discharged. Just how it happened will never be known, but it is supposed that the gun was at full cock and in attempting to hang it by the guard, undoubtedly, caught the trigger, thus discharging it. The ball took effect in the leg, about half way between the knee and hip, severing the femoral artery and shattering the bone to the knee. Mrs Dickinson us up stairs by came down quickly, upon hearing the shot and his call. She ran out to a neighbor for assistance, not being gone ten minutes, but he only gasped once or twice after here return, having bled to death. Justice, C.S. Ouimette, empanelled a jury and held an inquest the verdict of which was in accordance with the above facts.

Reynolds Hill Dickinson was born at Chumung, Chumung county, N.Y., Sept. 19th, 1835; he came west to Illinois and there enlisted with the Earl Rifles, May 3d, '61: was taken prisoner at Lexington and paroled, was discharged Nov. 5th, by special order, and reenlisted Nov. 20th, in the 53d, Illinois volunteer infantry, as a private; he reenlisted Feb' 24th, '64, as a veteran and was finally discharged, as a first lieutenant, July 22d '65; he had been commissioned captain but as the war was over never mustered; Aug. 3d, '65 he united in marriage with Miss Hannah Beale, at Ottawa, Ill., in '75 he came to Wisconsin and in '83 to Colby, or rather to the town of Hull, where he has since resided, a quiet, honest and respected citizen; about ten years ago he had both legs broken below the knee and since then not been so active as formerly. Mr. Dickinson leaves, to mourn his sudden demise, a wife--the partner of his joys and sorrows far more than thirty years-- two sons. George B and Earl A., and three daughters, Mrs. A.L. Cramer and Misses Birdie A., and Mabel A., besides a large number of sympathizing friends.

The funeral occurred at the Riverside church, in the town of Hull, of which he was a member, on Sunday and the remains interred in Colby cemetery, Rev L.F. Brickels, of Miladore, officiating."