Las Vegas Age, December 17, 2003, Clark County, Nevada Copyright © 2003 Gerry Perry This copy contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives. ************************************************************************ USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net ************************************************************************ LAS VEGAS AGE 4/24/1915 JACK TUCK, JR. MEETS DEATH ACCIDENTAL DISCHARGE OF HIS GUN INSTANTLY KILLS WELL KNOWN MAN Monday morning about 8:00, John W. TUCK, Sr. was approaching the upper ranch where his son lived after driving about a mile and a half from the lower ranch where he himself resides. He was bringing in the wagon a few things needed to make the place more homelike and some tools and seeds for the ranch. As he approached the place, he saw something lying on the ground which looked like a human form. As he drew nearer he recognized his son. Alarmed, but still thinking the young man was watching for ducks which frequently alight in a small reservoir near the house in the morning, the father got out of the wagon to investigate. What was his horror to see blood running out upon the ground from a gaping wound on the left side of the body just above the heart. Under the body, the barrel half filled with blood, was the gun, the muzzle still almost in the wound. The body was still warm and death had intervened only a short time, probably but a few minutes, before. In his frantic desire to secure help, the father picked up the limp body, placed it in the wagon and drove in all haste to this city. Here the matter was reported to Coroner HARKINS, and a jury composed of the following citizens empanelled: H. M. LILLIS, foreman, E. W. GRIFFITH, H. S. WORKMAN, E. S. SHEPPARD, W. R. BRACKEN and F. G. PARK. They went to the morgue where body was examined and then to the ranch where the frightful affair occurred. After a careful investigation of the circumstances, the jury returned a verdict that the deceased came to his death through the accidental discharge of a shotgun held in his own hands. As far as the last acts of the young man can be reconstructed from the evidence at hand, it appears that he rose at the usual hour, put on his underclothes, and without waiting to put on his shoes, took the gun and walked quietly out the door in the direction of the pond on which he sometimes found a flock of wild ducks in the morning. Probably in a crouching position, and pulling the gun toward him by the muzzle, something touched the trigger. Death must have been instant. The charge of shot entered the left side of the chest about two inches above the breast, ranging slightly downward. A portion of the charge tore a great hole in the body under the left arm, the balance of the shot cutting the great arteries and the heart. John W. TUCK, Jr. was born in Needles, Cal., August 5, 1889, and therefore would have been 26 years old had he lived until next August. The greater portion of his life has been lived on the desert and he was an expert horseman and cattle man. Jack has grown to manhood here and is known to nearly all. He was a companionable, likable young man and made friends wherever he was. He has been for several months, since returning from a stay of some time in Southern California, devoting himself to the development of a ranch near that of his father and had great ambition to make the place valuable. He has been exemplary in his habits of recent months and but rarely visited town, preferring to put in all time possible on the work of the ranch. The funeral was held from the Chapel Wednesday afternoon at four o'clock. The floral offerings were lavish and very beautiful, among them being a wreath sent by Mr. and Mrs. T. P. CULLEN of Los Angeles. Appropriate music was furnished by the choir and the services were read by Mr. WOODS, who officiated very acceptably in the absence of Father REYNOLDS. The interment was made in the old cemetery. A world of sympathy goes out to the sorrowing relatives and friends of young "Jack" at his untimely death. Especially to the father, who loses his only son, is the blow heavy and we can only silently mourn with him.