This is the transcript of a letter written from Mrs.
Grace Clear to her mother-in-law Clara
Hurd-Clear-Allman. Clara's son John was born in
Defiance, Ohio in 1900 and grew up in Miami County,
Indiana. John was married to Grace (not sure where or
when) and they moved to Lordsburg, New Mexico. In 1936
John accidently shot himself while hunting in New
Mexico and died from his injuries. His wife Grace
wrote a letter to Clara (then living in Chili) to
describe the events.
Mrs. Grace Clear
Box 633
Lordsburg, N. Mex.
Mrs. Charles Allman
Chili, Indiana
Box 58
Lordsburg, N. M.
Jan. 15, 1936
Dearest Mother & Dad,
I am agoing to try to write you a letter but it is
going to be hard. If I could see you & talk to you I
could do a lot better. I will try to tell you as near
as I can how the accident happened. John & I decided
to go rabbit hunting last Weds the 8th about 8 oclock
in the morning. We went out about 12 miles from town
where there were lots of rabbits. We would poke & cave
in the holes to make them run out. John thought he had
the safety on his 22 he took my 22 & put mine on
safety but it was to cold for me to use it so I laid
it down & was agoing to watch for the rabbit to see if
it would move the dirt on top of the ground. He was
pocking at the hole with the butt of the gun and it
went off.
He said he was shot told me to take the guns to the
car that he could make it. I ran to the car and I got
back to him just before he fell. Then I had to go back
& get the car. I drove the car up as close to him as I
could and I pulled and got him into the back seat some
how as he was unconscious. I rushed him to the
hospital and the Dr. taken X rays. The Dr. here kept
me in hopes & John also thought he was all right and
told me not to worry you so I thought I would wait.
They finally put him in an ambulance and rushed him to
El Paso but he died on the way. I know he thought all
the way through that he was agoing to live.
We had bought us a new car and had just had it 6
months and had $500.00 on it. It will take all I get
to pay it out. But I have this place.
I am sending you some pictures and you have see how
much he ment to his Lodge brothers & friends. He
belonged to the K. P. Lodge.
He was put away as nice as I could wish & every one
has been wonderful to me.
My family was with me. John had no last words as he
didnt really realize he was agoing.
He just looked like he was asleep, just as natural &
smiling.
I have the flag that was dropped over his casket & I
have enlarged picture like yours that I have fixed so
pretty with some of the ribbons and flowers that he
had they are prest inside the picture. When I get able
I will come & see you & bring some things I can tell
you more than I can write. I dont know where Vera is
so you will let her read this letter. Oh! Mother you
dont know how I do miss John we were together all the
time. When he went to town I was with him now one can
realize how much I miss his love. Well I cant keep
from crying so I will stop. Please write to me Mother
please. I wish you could come & see me. I feel like I
am all alone in this world. I wish that I was there
with you tonight. Good by & God bless you Mother. Pray
for me.
From your loving Daughter,
Grace
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