George Cachelin of DeSoto has received word that his brother, Ed, a former resident of this county, had accidentally shot and killed himself at his home in Spearfish, S.D.

#2 Printed in the November 21, 1904 Pilot

ACCIDENTALLY SHOT

EDWARD CACHELIN MEETS WITH A FATAL ACCIDENT WHILE RETURNING HOME FROM TIMBER

The community was never more shocked and surprised than it was on Monday forenoon, to learn that Edward Cachelin had been killed by an accidental discharge from a shotgun. Mr. Cachelin had gone to the timber for a load of wood and was accompanied by young Pat Ferris. He had taken with him on the trip an old style shotgun, thinking he might see some game. The two had loaded the wagon and the boy had been driving slowly for some distance while Mr. Cachelin hunted along the way for grouse. Having grown tired of walking, he had the boy stop and intended to ride the rest of the way home. Taking the gun from his shoulder he grasped it about the center of the barrel with one hand and near the end with the other, the muzzle pointing toward his body, and proceeded to shove it into the rear end of the load. The opening into which he shoved the gun received it nicely, but, fearing it might jolt out, he gave it a forward shove in order that it could not. In doing so, the unprotected hammer, which on all zulu guns rests squarely on the cap when not cocked, was jammed against some projection with sufficient force to dent the cap, causing an explosion. The full charge from the gun entered his left breast and passed through the right ventricle of the heart, with the result that his life was despaired of within a few moments.

The boy, quickly mounting the one horse they had driven to the timber, hurried to town for aid. Dr. Ainsworth was soon at the scene of the accident, but too late to render any service whatsoever.

Thus ended the life of another pioneer character of the Black Hills country. Edward Cachelin was born of French parentage in Baton Rouge, Louisiana in the year 1846, and was nearing his 59th birthday. In early childhood he moved with his parents to St. Louis, Missouri, thence to DeSoto, Nebraska, in the year 1856, our subject then being ten years of age. During his life in DeSoto he grew to manhood, learned the blacksmithing trade, and was united in marriage to Miss Columbia Dotson in the year 1868.

Being captivated by the gold excitement in the Black Hills, he emigrated here as early as 1876. For the first year or more he was engaged with his wife’s father, Captain Oliver Dotson, in freighting between Cheyenne and Deadwood. Following this he plied himself to his trade in Deadwood and thence to this city, he having occupied at that time the same building which has since been occupied by John Bell, A.D. Johnston and others. Later on he abandoned his trade entirely, and took up what is known as the Weare ranch to the left of the Bell Fourche road bridge, on Redwater. In addition to this he purchased an adjoining ranch, then owned by Dick Gray. Both were subsequently sold by him and another, lying just outside the limits of this city, was purchased by him from Henry Alkman. On this farm, which subsequently became quite valuable, not only because of its close proximity to Spearfish, but because of its wonderfully productive soil, he resided with his family up to a few years ago, when he disposed of it to T.W. Matthews and purchased a fine residence here in town.

Since that time he has served two terms as one of the county commissioners of this county.

Mr. Cachelin, though of a hearty, robust stature, has suffered very poor health of ate years, and up to the time of his failing health, he had been a man who diligently applied himself to hard, laborious work during all his life. In disposition he was one of the kindest of men, and to his family he was indulgent to a remarkable degree. His acts were tempered always with justice and fair dealings, and he possessed many warm friends, who bore great respect for him and were greatly attached to him. His habits may be said to have been perfect; his sense of honor, integrity and duty were of the highest order, and in all respects he was noble, generous and upright.

Mrs. W.H. Boss of Lead, Mrs. Geo. Wolfe of Cyanide, Mrs. Otis Hymer of California, and Fred Cachelin, who is engaged in the cattle business in North Dakota. Aside from these relatives, Mr. Cachelin is survived by his youngest brother, who is here from DeSoto, Nebraska, and his oldest brother, who still resides at DeSoto.

The funeral services were conducted from the M.E. church yesterday, Rev. W.R. Jeffrey, Jr, officiating, and the remains were laid to rest in the Spearfish cemetery.

To the bereaved family, whose loss is irreparable, the Enterprise would extend the heartfelt sympathy of all Spearfish, and may the Great Giver of all good have compassion indeed upon them in their hour of such bitter sadness.—Spearfish (S.D.) Enterprise.

~~~Obituaries courtesy of the Nebraska Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair, Nebraska Public Library~~~

Find a Grave Memorial # 107662508