Humboldt County CA Obituary Project Obituaries.....Thorn, John Barber April 11, 1908 ********************************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.org/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.org/obits/obitsca/obitsca.htm ********************************************************** File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Jake Thorn JTHORN7376@AOL.COM March 2, 2010, 7:44 pm Humboldt Times, April 11, 1908, pg 1, April 14, 1908, pg 1 Eureka Man Killed ____ J. B. Thorn, While Hunting Rabbits at Little River Beach, Accidentally Receives A Fatal Wound ____ Was Dragging Gun When It Exploded, Charge Tearing Into Body – Died On Way To Hospital _____ ARCATA –April 11 – J. B. Thorn of Eureka died in this city tonight at 10:15 o’clock from a gunshot wound accidentally received at Little River Beach at 8:45 o’clock this morning near an old sand mine while hunting rabbits. He was accompanied by S. O. Dinsmore, also of Eureka. Thorn was being taken to the St. Francis Hospital in Eureka when he died. Mr. Thorn was creeping after a rabbit, dragging a loaded shotgun after him, when the trigger was caught by an obstruction and the firearm was discharged into his left side, the shot tearing its way through his body, creating an ugly wound. Dinsmore attempted to stop the copious flow of blood, but was unable to do so, and sought assistance at the Worth place. From here a call was made to Dr. Joe Menefee of this city, who was located at Bayside, and he was the first physician to reach Thorn. Dr. Menefee removed the injured man to the Worth Home, but did not dare to do more than alleviate the suffering of Thorn, the wound being in fearful condition. Further assistance was therefore called. Dr Sinclair of Eureka and Dr. C. O. Mills of Arcata were summoned for a consultation, Drs Sinclair and Loofbourrow arriving by auto late this afternoon. As a result of the consultation, it was decided to take Thorn to the St. Francis Hospital in Eureka for an operation. The injured man was placed in a spring wagon and brought to this city, from where he was taken by ambulance to Eureka ¬¬¬¬_____ A telephone message to the Times from Dr. Mills at Arcata was received at 10:30 o’clock last night , announcing that Thorn had died. The Sweasey Ambulance from Eureka met the wagon with Thorn at the Mad River County bridge, and the unfortunate sufferer was transferred from the wagon for the long trip back to this city. Not 10 minutes later Thorn breathed his last. Dr. Mills stated that the wound in Thorn’s body was five or six inches in diameter. The shot went through the lower part of the abdomen and took off part of the left hip bone Dr. Menefee came to Eureka early in the evening to arrangements at the St. Francis Hospital, and had prepared everything to receive Thorn when the news of his death was received. The remains were brought to the Peirce Undertaking parlors at an early hour this morning. Mr. Thorn for years was a resident of Eureka and was well liked by all who knew him. He was noted for his genial disposition. There are left a wife and two sons, Guy and Claude Thorn, who are clerks at the shoe store of C. G. Scott. Guy Thorn was with his father when death came. The home is at the corner of M and Eighth Streets. Mr. Thorn was a member of the Woodmen of America, the Woodmen of the World, the Royal Neighbors, and of the Independent Order of Redmen. He was particularly well known in fraternity circles. It is probable that the coroner will hold an inquest over the remains, the death resulting from an accidental shooting. Mr. Thorn and S. O. Dinsmore left Eureka Wednesday for Mad River. Dinsmore to secure a load of junk and Thorn to secure some chickens. When they arrived in Arcata, Mr. Thorn learned that a stableman in Trinidad, wanted some horses, and it was decided to continue to the northern town. Thorn in hope of selling several animals. The men were returning at the time of the accident and had camped at Little River Beach. Source – Humboldt Times, page 1, April 11, 1908 NOTE – Little River Beach is 5 miles south of Trinidad and 13 miles North of Eureka, just off of Hwy 101. Note – Samuel Dinsmore was a pallbearer at John B. Thorn’s funeral. How Thorn Met Death ___ There has been a misunderstanding of the manner in which J. B. Thorn came to his death. In previous accounts of the fatal accident, it has been stated that Thorn was creeping along the ground dragging his shotgun after him while in pursuit of a rabbit. S. O. Dinsmore, who was with Thorn at the time, stated yesterday that afternoon, that instead of creeping Thorn was walking in a crouching position, holding the shotgun to the side, and that when something caught the firearm and he turned so as to expose himself to the explosion that followed a hasty jerk to free the gun. SOURCE – Humboldt Times, Page 1, April 14, 1908 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ca/humboldt/obits/thorn9193gob.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/caobfiles/ File size: 5.1 Kb