Probably the saddest accident that ever happened in this vicinity, occurred at the D. H. Dovenbarger ranch home, twelve miles south of Brady, last Thursday afternoon, when Mrs. Dovenbarger’s eleven year old son playfully pointed a small caliber rifle at her, pulled the trigger, and Mrs. Dovenbarger fell to the floor, her brain pierced by the bullet. The lad supposed that he had removed the cartridge from the gun before pointing it at his mother.

The mother and boy were at home alone when the accident occurred. The boy immediately hastened to his father, who was working nearly a mile from the house, and when the two reached the home, the woman was dead, the bullet having entered her head just above the eye. The boy and other members of the family are prostrated with grief. A coroner’s jury rendered a verdict that death was due to the accident.

Mr. Dovenbarger and family have the heartfelt sympathy of the entire community in their hour of bereavement, and in the presence of such a sorrow, how cold and impotent are words and how doubly deep would be the grief over the grave did not the rainbow of Christian hope span the dark gulf between time and eternity, and such pure, bright lives inspire the belief that there is a better world beyond.

Maria May Lind was born in Vernon county, Wisconsin, Dec. 27, 1870, and died at her home in Lincoln county, Nebraska, Dec. 30, 1915, aged 45 years and 3 days.

In the year of 1879 she came with her parents to Lincoln county, Nebraska, and on Oct. 3, 1894, in the Lutheran church at North Platte, she was united in marriage with Daniel H. Dovenbarger. To this union five children were born, three sons and two daughters. Two sons, Merle and Arthur dying in infancy.

She leaves to mourn her loss a husband, three children, her mother, six sisters and two brothers.

In infancy, Mrs. Dovenbarger was baptised into the Lutheran church. Nine years ago she united with the Wesleyan Methodist church, and ten months ago she transferred her membership to the M. E. church in Brady.

She lived a consistent christian life, dying in the faith. She has lain down her earthly life only to take up eternal life.

The funeral was held at the M. E. church in Brady, Sunday, Jan. 2, 1916, conducted by the pastor, Rev. E. S. Grimes, attended by a host of friends and relatives to mourn her loss.

Brady Vindicator 8(32):1 Thursday, January 6, 1916