Little Johnnie Campbell was the victim of an accidental shooting last Thursday afternoon. His father, Bert had been shooting a squirrel and was taking a cartridge out of the gun when it accidentally exploded and the bullet went entirely through the bowels of the little fellow. Mr. Campbell was naturally very much frightened and started to run for a doctor and Johnnie asked him not to leave him alone as he would die before he got back. He was taken to the Blair Hospital where death resulted Friday afternoon despite every attention physicians could give. The funeral was held at the Smith Holeton home at 2 o’clock Sunday afternoon, Ref. W. H. Underwood officiating. The music was furnished by Misses Ethel and Gertrude Mead. John Matthias Campbell was born July 27th, 1908 and was therefore just ten years of age last July. His sudden death in this way brings added sorrow to his parents and their many friends extend heartful sympathy. Beside his parents he leaves three brother and two sisters, Haward, Milford, Leslie, Mildred and Laura.

#2-Published in the Tribune November 28, 1918

Jonnie Campbell Dies From Accidental Shooting

Last Thursday, Jonnie Campbell, the ten-year old son of Mr. and Mrs. Bert Campbell of this city, was accidentally shot by his father, from the effects of which he died on Friday, at five o'clock.

His father was getting ready to shoot a squirrel, and as the gun failed to work, he "broke" it, and in doing so, the load shot backward striking the little boy, who stood beside his father, in the abdomen and plowing its way into the intestine. He was rushed to the city hospital at once and given the best of attention, but after suffering intensely until Friday afternoon death came to his relief.

John Mathias Campbell was born at Walthill, Nebr., July 27, 1908, and came to Blair when but two years old. His father is a foster son of the late Rev. John Mathias Campbell, for whom the boy was named. Jonnie has been a victim of unfortunate circumstances all his life. Only last summer he was run over by an automobile and severely injured. The parents are grief stricken over his death, and the remaining five children are heart broken. The funeral was held Sunday afternoon at the home of Smith Holeton, Mrs. Holeton being an aunt of Jonnie. Rev. W. H. Underwood spoke words comfort to the sorrowing relatives and burial took place in the Blair Cemetery.

#3-Published in The Enterprise, November 29, 1918

Johnnie, the ten year old son of Bert Campbell, was fatally shot by the father last Thursday when a cartridge in a gun which he was handling accidentally exploded, the charge passing through Johnnie’s body as he stood beside his father. He was taken to the Blair hospital, where he died the next day. The father’s anguish over the sad affair was pitiful. Funeral service was held at the home of Smith Holeton on Sunday afternoon.

Obituaries courtesy of the Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file at the Blair Public Library.