Howard W. Bean, member of a well-known and pioneer family and who was happily married three weeks ago yesterday to Rosa Anna Laurent, member of another of the well-known old-time families of the Kanah creek district, is dead as the result of a most deplorable accident which occurred yesterday afternoon at the home of the young man's sister, Mrs. George W. Ponsford on Indian creek, about 17 miles from Grand Junction. The accident proved a terrible shock not only to the young bride but to the other relatives and the great host of friends of the young man in his home section and in this city where he often visited and was well-known. A youth who has been staying at the Ponsford ranch for some days and whose name was not learned by the Sentinel, had been hunting in the forenoon. He got a cartridge lodged in the .22 calibre rifle which he was using. In the afternoon he asked Howard Bean to help him get the cartridge from the gun. The two young men were in the yard of the Ponsford home and were endeavoring to dislodge the cartridge when it was discharged and the bullet struck young Bean in the abdomen inflicting a mortal wound. The accident happened about 2 o'clock. The ladies of that section were engaged in Red Cross work at the Ponsford home at the time. They were at the side of the wounded youth immediately. He was taken from the yard into the home and given every possible attention while Dr. J. U. Sickenberger, who had been summoned from this city, made a quick trip to the Ponsford home in his car. He gave the young man every relief possible and started with him for Grand Junction for the hospital. Mrs. Bean, the young bride, and other members of the family, accompanied him. However, the trip was in vain for the young man passed away while the automobile party was still several miles from the city, death occurring about 4:30 o'clock. The body was brought to this city. The affair was purely an accident. While there were other people near, no one witnessed the accident excepting Howard's companion who was helping Howard work with the gun. The two young men were about the same age. The young man is grief stricken over the accident which cost the life of his companion. Howard Bean was just past 24 years of age. He was a son of Mr. and Mrs. John D. Bean, the father being a well-known Kanah creek ranchman and stockman. The young man was associated with his father in the cattle business. Howard Bean and Miss Laurent were married three weeks ago yesterday and were making their home on the ranch. They were among the best known young people in that section. A brother of Howard Bean, Charles Bean, is in the country's service and is in France. Another brother, Floyd, died about 18 months ago following an extended illness. Mrs. George W. Ponsford is a sister of the deceased. The funeral arrangements have not been completed but will probably be announced this afternoon. It was a most deplorable accident and especially for the young wife, a bride of but three weeks, will the sympathy of hundreds of friends be extended. Howard Bean was a young man of splendid character and held in high regard by all who knew him. Howard William Bean was born in Colby, Kansas August 3, 1894, where he resided until he was 16 years of age when he came with his parents to Colorado, living in this vicinity for the remainder of his life. On July 25, 1918, he was united in marriage to Miss Rosa Laurent. He leaves his parents and one sister, Mrs. Minnie Ponsford, and one brother, who is in the army somewhere in France.
--The Daily Sentinel (Grand Junction, CO) Aug. 16, 1918
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