Edna Dillon death 1894

Trenton Weekly Tribune
(Trenton, Grundy, Missouri)
Thursday, December 27, 1894
p. 5 col. 4

Submitted by Phyliss Gann July 2004

SHOT HIS SWEETHEART

Howard Hessenflow Accidentally Kills Miss Edna Dillon

Another case of "didn't-know-it-was-loaded" occurred in Holt's additions Sunday afternoon and an estimable young lady lies a corpse on account of foolishness. The affiar is deplorable and strikes terror to the hearts of all.

Howard Hessenflow and Miss Edna Dillon, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Dillon had been engaged to wed since Nov. 26 and of course they were deeply in love. Sunday afternoon they attended Sunday school at the Carnes Street mission. After Sunday school, about four o'clock, a crowd of young folks, including the principals in the tragedy and Misses Anna Barnes and Stella Pennock and Chas. Barnes and Amos Flesher, were having a merry time at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. A. Pennock. A pistol of a twenty-two caliber was in the house and young Hessenflow snapped the weapon at his own head and in the face of a friend. Miss Dillon, who was afraid of fire arms, ran into the dining room pursued by Hessenflow. No one was in the dining room excepting the two lovers and after the report of the revolver the young folks in the parlor heard Hessenflow say "O my God."

Before anyone had time to scarcely move the young man carried Miss Dillon into the parlor and placed her in a large arm chair, in which position she was carried home immediately. The wounded girl never spoke a word and died twenty minutes after the shooting.

Young Hessenflow went to the county jail and gave himself up to Deputy Sheriff Vannatta.

Coroner D.W. Coon, assisted by Prosecuting Attorney O.G. Bain held an inquest over the remains at the home of the deceased. The above facts were gleaned from the different witnesses, who testified. Dr. Coon examined the corpse and found that the ball had entered the lobe of the right lung, ranging upward and to the right about six inches.

The dead girl, who was nineteen years of age, had a splendid reputation and was loved by all who knew her. She was industrious and possessed a kind chrisian (sic) disposition. Her demise is very sad.

Howard Hessenflow is nearly nineteen years old. He is a coal miner and has always born a good name. His grief was intense and fearing that he might injure himself Coroner Coon talked kindly to him, advising him to do the right thing. The young man promised the coroner that he would not attempt to do himself harm and it is thought he will not, although he is in deep trouble.

Held for Manslaughter.

After some deliberation Prosecuting Attorney Bain decided, Monday, to hold Hessenflow for further investigations. The supreme court has called such deeds "criminal carelessness" and men have been fined and sent to the penitentiary for manslaughter in the fourth degree.

Submitters notes:

Lela "Edna" Dillon was d/o:
Julia A. Ford (& William "Thomas" Dillon)
gd/o Mary Jane Booram (& Richard Ford)
gg d/o Isaac Booram (& Mary Bryan)
ggg d/o John Boram (& Tamar Oldaker)
gggg d/o Aaron Booram (& Mary Lane)
ggggg d/o William Booram (& Hannah Clawson)
gggggg d/o Adriaen Boerum/Boor?m (& Sarah Smock)
ggggggg d/o Hendrick Willemse Van Boerum (& Maria Adriaense Smit)
gggggggg d/o Willem Jacobse Van Boerum (& Geertje Hendrickse van Goch)