Find a Grave contributor, Edna (

Father: Frederick "Fred" Charles Willits, 8/08/1867 - 4/22/1916; couldn't find gravesite.

A DEPLORABLE ACCIDENT

Sad Ending of a Picnic Party by the Accidental Shooting of Harry Willets.

The Idaho Register, Friday, August 24, 1906, Idaho Falls, Idaho Page 1

For more than a week previous to last Friday Rev. and Mrs. Guernsey had been working hard making preparations and about twenty boys and girls ranging from 14 to 17 year of age had been looking forward to the fine time they were to have out on a picnic of several days. They were members of the large Sunday School class of the Baptist church, and Mr. and Mrs. Guernsey had arranged to take them out for a good time.

Everything had been arranged and on Friday morning about six o'clock occupying several spring wagons they were off. They traveled most of the day but lost their road, having intended to go to what is known as Beaver Dam. However, they camped that night and started off again on Saturday arriving at a point on Willow creek about 45 miles from the city. Here they camped intending to spend Sunday. It rained nearly all night and was quite cold. In the early morning some of the boys were up and built a good bonfire; just then they noticed a large flock of ducks go over and light a short distance away. Roy Heller and Harry Willets with their shot guns and Evald Johnson went out to get some of them. Harry shot one and Roy found the shell in his gun a repeating shot gun, would not work; holding the muzzle to the ground he dug it out with his knife, and commenced to work the lever to put in a new shell when the gun was discharged, the force of the charge raising the muzzle so that the entire charge struck Harry Willets about 15 feet away just under the left arm entering the heart, and killing him instantly, Evald Johnson and Mr. Benton who were standing with a short distance from him escaping.

Of course all was excitement in a moment, the entire party being prostrated with grief, and especially Roy Heller, as he and Harry had been very warm friends for a long time. Mr. Guernsey who had not yet gotten up was called. He immediately arranged to send a messenger to the city with the sad news. Will Foster taking Cora Holmes pony started out and arrived at Ammon about 11'oclock from where he sent a telephone message. Then with George Chapin and Miss Travis, who had gone with them started with the remains on the sad journey home, arriving about three o'clock in the afternoon, Mr. Guernsey sitting on the edge of the spring wagon holding an umbrella over the body all the way. The remainder of the party gathered up the things and followed arriving late in the evening.

At noon they stopped for lunch and to feed the teams. And while there Mr. Benton, president of the B.Y.P.U., lead in the studying of the Sunday school lesson.

EATH – ACCIDENTAL GUN SHOT

William Harry Willets

A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT

CAMPING PARTY HAS A SAD END

The Idaho Falls Times, Tuesday, August 21, 1906, Idaho Falls, Idaho Page 1

Harry Willets Accidentally Shot and Instantly Killed

The Remains of the Unfortunate Boy Were Brought on Sunday and Funeral was Held at 2 o'clock Today. Parents Paralyzed with Grief.

The party of Baptist young people, who so gaily left town for the hills Friday morning, sadly returned Sunday evening. The sudden breaking up of the camp was due to the serious shooting accident which shocked the camp Sunday morning at 6'oclock, when Harry Willets was accidentally shot and instantly killed.

Before going to the hills Rev. Guernsey had told his class that there must be no shooting or fishing on Sunday. So, it was all arranged that they have Sunday school and B. Y. P. U. service in camp, while there would be a trip among the pines and songs and readings for the entertainment of all.

There were twenty-three in the party and ample provision was made for a royal time. Friday the party camped for the night and Saturday forenoon resumed their search for an ideal camping place. Then the camp was struck for permanent stay and work assigned to each one. Everyone fell to work with a will and soon a large bonfire was blazing, the tents were in place and supper was in progress of cooking, bedding was being dried as there had been several showers on Saturday and the bedding was somewhat damp from the previous night's rain. After the supper work was over and the beds were made, the party gathered around the campfire drying the few blankets which were still undried and singing songs and chatting until about 11'o'clock. It was an evening long to be remembered because of the supreme content of the party with surroundings and the feeling of comradeship which prevailed among the campers.

Sunday morning when the accident happened only four persons were yet out of the tents. A duck was seen and to the two boys concerned in the accident the temptation proved too much for them to withstand. Both aimed at it, Harry killing it, while Roy's gun failed to work. Mr. Benton and Evald Johnson ran forward to see the duck, passing Roy, who held out the shell he had extracted calling their attention to it. As Mr. Benton passed, he noticed the gun in Roy's other hand pointed at the ground. A moment afterward the gun went off and Harry fell forward with a groan. Mr. Benton turned him over while Evald faintly called for help. His call for help was so faint that those who heard thought it was a joke. Mr. Benton saw death in the face and shouted for Mr. Guernsey, who ran with restoratives, but nothing could be done. The whole charge entered the back on the right side and lodged in the heart, causing instant death. No one saw the accident and Roy does not know how it could have happened.

Billy Foster immediately set out for town on the swiftest saddle pony and at a little after ten, reached a telephone at Ammon. The body was taken care of the best they could and George Chapin drove the swiftest team to town with it, accompanied by Miss Travis and Mr. Guernsey. Mr. Guernsey either sat in the back end of the wagon or walked behind up the hills shading the face with an umbrella all the way.

The second team carried Roy among their number and were met by Mr. Heller and Leo about eight miles out of town. It is needless to say that even the most thoughtless among the party were sobered and it was a silent, grief-stricken party that slowly came with their jaded steeds back to town, the last of the wagons not returning until after nine o'clock. Eighteen of the party, who kept together until after dinner Sunday had their S. S. lesson where they stopped for dinner, the class being taught by Mr. Benton in Mr. Guernsey's absence.

The party sent to Salt Lake for flowers and were present at the funeral in a body. The funeral was held from the Baptist church this (Tuesday) afternoon at 2:00 o'clock.

The whole town joins in extending sympathy to the bereaved family.

Funeral Service – Harry Willets the Idaho Falls Times, Tuesday, August 21, 1906, Idaho Falls, Idaho Page 7 The funeral service for Harry Willets held at the Baptist church this afternoon was as largely attended as any held in the city for a long time. The decorations and floral tributes were especially handsome.

RESOLUTIONS OF CONDOLENCE Whereas God in his infinite Wisdom has seen fit to remove Harry Willets, son of Fred and Rose Willets, therefore be it. Resolved, That Rock Lily Circle, No. 218, Women of Woodcraft extend to our bereaved neighbor, Rose Willets and family, our heartfelt sympathy in this their hour of deep affliction. Resolved, that while we deeply sympathize with the bereaved family in their great loss, we commend them for consolation to Him who doeth all things well. Resolved also that a copy of these resolutions be spread upon the minutes of our Circle and that copies be furnished the local press and a copy be sent to the bereaved family. The circle also desires to extend their sympathy to the other afflicted family. Signed: Laura Brainaird, Mary Moore, Mary Clyne, Committee.

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