Crider - McDowell Family Tree

Democrat-Register, Bonne Terre, St. Francois County, Missouri, Friday, April 24, 1903.

LITTLE GIRL ACCIDENTALLY KILLED.

Fannie, the 12 year old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Ashburn, who reside on a farm about 4 miles east of Bonne Terre, met a most shocking and tragic death last Monday, April 20, 1903. About 4 o'clock in the afternoon, Fannie and her brother were out riding but when near home the little girl's saddle turned and she fell from the horse. Her foot, however, caught in the stirrup and the horse becoming frightened started to run. The little girl was dragged a distance of about fifty yards, before the foot was released, and so badly injured that she lived only five hours after the accident occurred. Dr. C. P. Poston of Bonne Terre was summoned at once but he found her case hopeless as internal hemorrhage resulted from the bursting of a blood vessel. The funeral services were held at 10 o'clock Wednesday morning and the remains laid to rest in the family burying ground.

Fannie was a bright and lovable child, and father and mother and little brother have the deepest sympathy of all our people in their sad bereavement.

FARMINGTON TIMES, Farmington, St. Francois County, Missouri, Thursday, April 23, 1903

DRAGGED TO DEATH BY HORSE
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Fannie, Eleven-Year-Old Daughter of W. C. Ashburn of Hazel Run, Fatally Injured While Riding
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SADDLE TURNED AND SHE FELL

Fannie Ashburn, the eleven-year-old daughter of Mr. W. C. Ashburn, who lives about 4 miles east of Bonne Terre and near the village of Hazel Run, was fatally injured on Monday afternoon about 4:30 o'clock, while horse-back riding, by the saddle turning and throwing her headforemost to the ground. Her foot hung in the stirrup and she was dragged about fifty yards before the pony could be stopped.

She and her nine-year-old brother, Pope, were out riding, trying a new pony which their father had recently purchased. It is not known exactly how the accident occured, but it is supposed that the girth was not tightened sufficiently, and for some reason the saddle turned. Just as soon as she fell, her brother attempted to stop the pony and finally did get hold of the bridle. He says that when he caught hold of the bridle the pony was so hard to stop that he himself was dragged from his horse.

The little girl was taken home as soon as aid could be summoned, and Dr. C. P. Poston of Bonne Terre was called in. She retained consciousness from the time of the accident till 9:30 o'clock the same evening, when she died. She experienced no pain and was not bruised in the least from the accident. Death resulted from internal hemorrhage, very likely caused by an internal strain rather than from a kick by the horse. All the symptoms of her death seemed to indicate that she died from loss of blood, as she gradually became more and more fatigued until the end.

Fannie was an exceptionally bright child and was the only girl in the family. She had just recently recovered from a very serious attack of appendicitis.

The funeral was held at the home near Hazel Run at 10 o'clock Wednesday morning. Rev. A. F. Saffold conducted the ceremonies and the burial was in the family burying ground.

Frances Dallum Ashburn, daughter of W.C. and Mattie Ashburn, was born March 6, 1892, died April 20, 1903, and was therefore 11 years, one month and 14 days old.

Fannie, as she was familiarly called, was a beautiful, bright, sweet child. She was a general favorite with her acquaintances and had a kindly dispostion. She was obedient to her parents, and was like a guardian angel watching over her younger brother. She was a devout Christian, always praying at her bedside before retiring to sleep. Last winter Fannie had a long spell of sickness, during which the writer visited her and learned that she was patient and trusting in her Savior.

Her parents and relatives were justly proud of her. She gave unmistakable evidence of the fact that she was a member of a devout christian home, where love and devotion to God was the ruling theme. Her death was caused by being thrown from and dragged by a horse, her foot remaining in the stirrup after the saddle turned.

Her pastor can never foget the polite manner in which she met him at the door and welcomed him to their home in March. The smile on her face showed that she was delighted to have God's servant come to her home. Just a few days before her death she told her mother that when the pastor came again she was going to join the N.C.L.; but alas! before he came again the Lord received her to himself to join, not only the New Century Ladies, but the saints of all centuries. It is a great bereavemnt but God says, has to Paul, "My grace is sufficient for thee." Heaven is nearer and dearer than ever before to papa, mamma, and brother. The funeral was preached by the writer in the home April 22, in the presence of a large company of weeping and sympathizing friends and relatives. After which the body was laid to rest in the family burial ground to await the resurrection.

A.P. SAFFOLD, pastor