About August 14, 1903, Walter Payne accidentally shot a blank cartridge into his left hand. At first the wound seemed minor, but soon infection set it, followed by lockjaw. An article in the August 21, 1903 issue of the Sandusky Evening Star reported that though Dr. Hubbard was doing everything possible, Walter was in serious condition. Sadly, at the age of 24, Walter Payne died on August 22, 1903. He was buried in Sandusky's Oakland Cemetery. Walter was survived by his bride of two months, his parents, five brothers, and a sister. The inscription on Walter Payne's tombstone reads:
Blessed are the pure in heart
For they shall see God.
First think I thought was the line from A Christmas Story about Ralphie's mother's fear that he would shoot his eye out with his BB gun. Seriously, though, a life cut way too short. [P.S., Dorene, check your headline -- it must be bad headline day -- I had to fix mine on my War of 1812 Chronicles post today.]
ReplyDeleteThanks so much!! Correction made!
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