Daily American Republican Poplar Bluff, Butler Co., MO – Sat., Sept 14, 1912:

FATALLY SHOT
    WHILE HUNTING

George Reading, Jr. Succumbs to
    Would Few Minutes After
          Reaching his Home.

ROMBAUER YOUTH HURT IN
       TAKING GUN FROM BUGGY

Injury Saps Life Before Poplar Bluff
   Physician Can Reach Victim of
      Weapon – 15 Years Old.


George Reading, Jr., was fatally shot this morning while he was drawing a gun
from a rig in which he and Roy Clevlen of Rombauer had gone hunting at Swan
Lake, this county. He died a few minutes after being carried to the home of his
father, George Reading, at Rombauer.

The victim of the accident was only fifteen years of age. He and Clevlen had
gone out for sport at Swan Lake. Arriving there, young Reading started to take
his gun from the buggy. The weapon was obstructed in some way and discharged,
the full charge entering the boy'’ body in the left armpit.

Realizing the gravity of the wound, young Clevlen lifted his friend’s inanimate
figure into the vehicle and raced to the Reading home. Dr. Ellis of Poplar Bluff
was hastily summoned and he rushed to Rombauer, but before the doctor could
reach there Reading had passed away, surviving only a few moments after reaching
home.

The family was prostrated by the accident and friends grieved over the youth’s
death. No arrangements for the funeral had been perfected this afternoon.



Daily American Republican Poplar Bluff, Butler Co., MO – Sat., Sept 19, 1912, pg
4:

ROMBAUER ROASTERS.


Georgie Reading, fifteen years old, died at his father’s home here Saturday
afternoon, Sept. 14, from effects of a wound received while attempting to take a
loaded gun from the buggy in which he and Roy Clevlen had gone to Swan Lake
hunting and fishing. The gun being obstructed in some way was discharged, the
load entering the boy’s left side. Realizing the seriousness of the accident
Clevlen lifted the boy into the carriage and hastily drove to a nearby farmhouse
and telephoned to Poplar Bluff for a doctor; then quickly drove to this place,
reaching here only a few minutes before Dr. Ellis arrived from Poplar Bluff. The
wounded boy died within a short time after the doctor’s arrival.

His death was quite a shock to the family and friends, who mourn the loss of one
so young and so suddenly snatched from our midst. Funeral services were
conducted by the Rev. Barger at Union church Sunday, after which the remains
were taken to the Hoffman cemetery for interment.