Zola Riley (1891-1899)

RILEY

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 1/31/2025 at 16:58:56

From Jewell Record September 15, 1899 (page 1)

A Shocking Accident.

One of the most distressing accidents that has been recorded in these columns for some time, occurred Monday afternoon a few miles south of town between the hours of 4 and 5 o'clock, which resulted in the horrible death of the seven year old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Riley, residing in Hamilton township, The little girl in company with three other children was riding the family horse about the premises barebacked, and when the accident happened the four were all on "Dobbin's" back at once. The little girl, childlike, had tied the halter rope around her waist and in some manner the children fell from the horse. The horse did not offer to run, but trotted leisurely about dragging the unfortunate girl along. The rope was just long enough to permit the girl to lie on the ground beneath the horse, and every step the animal took his hoofs tore and crushed the child's body. The other children, as may be imagined, were so frightened that they knew not what to do and the horse was permitted to drag the little girl about for some time before help arrived. When the little form was taken from beneath the cruel hoofs the vital spark had flown and only the mangled and bruised boy remained. It was indeed a sad accident, and one which will call for the genuine and heartfelt sympathy of everyone who reads these lines.--Freeman