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Obit For James Ray
Headline ACCIDENTALLY SHOT BY OREN BRATTIN
Both Were Very Intimate Young Friends and Cousins
Text One of the saddest accidents that has occurred in this section, for years, occurred Thursday evening, Dec. 30, 1909, at about 5:30 p. m., near the residence of Mr. and Mrs. W.A. Bistick, 3 1/2 miles southwest of Cassville, when James Ray aged 15 years, was accidentally killed by his cousin Oren Brattin, while rabbit hunting near the Bostick home.

It seems the boys had gone to bait James' traps on the farm, and had taken a target gun along, that belonged to James Ray. In getting over a fence, James was the first over, and Oren carrying the gun was last; James had explained the workings of the gun to Oren, and had placed the gun on safety notch as he thought before giving it to Oren, and as Oren was climbing through the fence, he touched the trigger, and the gun was discharged, and the bullet entered about center of breast; James threw up his hands and hollowed Oh!

Two or three times; he again said, Oh Lord save my soul, and told Oren to call the folks, which he did, and they walked about 75 feet before James gave down; Mr. Bostick heard Oren calling for help and went immediately and James barely breathed a time or two after he arrived where James laid, about 250 to 300 yard from the residence.

Tender hands carried James' remains to his mother, who was shocked almost to death on the death of her son.

James Ray was 15 years old, and was the son of the late Jos. Ray and Mrs. Addie Bostick and he was a very bright lad, and gave great promise of making a useful man and citizen. He was an own cousin of Editor of the DEMOCRAT, who held Jimmie in high estimation, because of his splendid traits of character.

Had he lived he would have made his mark in the world.

Oren Brattin is the oldest son of the Rev. J.T. Brattin of this city, who was visiting his cousin James, when the sad accident occurred.

He is 14 years old, and is all broken to pieces, over the unfortunate occurrence.

Thus two families start in the New Year, loaded with sorrow and sadness that time will have to erase.

Rev. Charles Vanzandt conducted funeral services at Corinth Church, yesterday Dec. 31, 1909, at 1 p. m. after which the remains were conveyed to Cassville and laid to rest in Oak Hill Cemetery beside his father.

He left his mother, Mrs. Wm. Bostick, one brother, Claud Ray at home and Mrs. Deila Munday of 916 Joplin St., to mourn their loved one's unfortunate death.

Research Note: James Ray 1894 - 1909

Newspaper or Funeral Home -
Date Jan. 1, 1910
Death Cert Link -
Resource Scrapbook bought at the estate sale of Vivian Roller
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