The Jefferson Herald Jefferson, Iowa
October 26, 1954
Lightning Ends Life Of Youth'

Many a newspaper man has written and published sad stories, incidents that he wishes had never happened. Here is one that occurred in this county, Washington Township, long years ago. The editor, then a boy of a dozen years, attended the funeral of a boy of like age, who was laid to rest in the Old Rippey Cemetery.

The boy's name was MASON KETTLE. He, with his father and brother had been husking corn, and they came in with a load, just as a thunder storm was approaching. They were anxious to get the load into the crib, and then to get some boards on the top before the rain arrived. The boy MASON, while the corn was being unloaded, ran to the house and asked for a piece of bread and butter. The mother and sister, both aware of the storm, told him to hurry back and help get the roof on, and they would get him the lunch after the crib was covered. The lad went out upon his errand, and was helped upon the crib and told how to lay the boards. Just then the storm broke, and a flash of lightning struck the crib. The boy was instantly killed.
The incident was so sad that hundreds of people attended the burial. The boy was laid to rest not far from the front gate of the cemetery, where a suitable headstone still marks the grave of this nearly SIXTY YEARS AGO boy who met such a tragic end.
Then came the sad goodbye, when the mother and sister, crushed with their grief, stood by the grave and recited their sorrow at having refused to give the boy his piece of bread. Their grief was pitiable and there was not a dry eye in all the assembled company. They leaned over the casket as it was prepared for lowering, and would have thrown themselves into the grave but for sorrowing friends who held them.
Not long after, the KETTLE family moved away.

Written by V.H. Lovejoy, former Bee Editor.