Obit of Nick KARPEN (d.1901), Nicollet Co., MN
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From The Nicollet Leader, September 28, 1901

Fatal Accident at Brighton
While out hunting with two comrades Nick Karpen was
accidentally shot in the back. He died shortly after.
The entire contents of the gun entered the small of
the back at close range. Last Sunday afternoon between
4 and 5 o'clock a most fatal accident occurred at a
small lake near the Catholic church at Brighton when
Nick Karpen, Chas Hedberg and Ramstad(?) were out
hunting. Ramstad was on the west side of the Lake.
Karpen and Hedberg were wading through some mud on the
east side trying to get near some ducks. They were
about six feet apart, Karpen walking ahead. Suddenly a
shot was heard and Karpen was somehow accidentally
shot in the small of the back, the shot making a wound
about three inches in diameter and four inches deep.
Hedberg threw his gun down and went to Karpen to
assist him. He called for Ramstad and they dragged
Karpen about 85 paces to a muskrat house where Ramstad
remained with Karpen and Hedberg hastened to Will
Sondag's house and called for help. They at once took
a team to get Karpen to the house. Nick Jutz came to
assist them. Karpen had terrible pain but remained
conscious. He asked to send for a doctor and minister
as he knew well in what condition he was and did not
expect to live. Dr Ray was called and did all he could
for him. His minister was also summoned and came. When
asked by relatives and friends how it happened Karpen
said that he believed the shot came out of Hedberg's
gun but that it was an accident and begged that
nothing should be done to him. He remained conscious
until about 5 minutes before his death which occurred
about noon on last Monday. On Tuesday County Coroner
Merrit (?) conducted an inquest being assisted by
County Attorney DAvis. Evidence was produced that the
fatal shot did not come out of Karpen's gun for when
it was found on Monday both shells were loaded. And as
seemingly no one else was near the place of accident
it was quite natural to believe that the shot must
have come from Hedberg's gun but Hedberg extremely
denied that his gun went off although there is a
possibility that someone could have been back of
Karpen and Hedberg in the long rushes but those being
about 35 feet away it is quite unreasonable to believe
that the shot came from there but as it was the jury
brought in a verdict that Nick Karpen came to his
death by an accident. On Wednesday the remains were
laid to rest in the Catholic cemetery at Brighton, Rev
Fr Rant officiating. Mrs Karpen of Hastings, mother of
the deceased, arrived in time to be present at the
funeral. Mr Karpen, the father, arrived too late to be
present at the funeral services. To the bereaved
family we extend our heartfelt sympathy.