William Cozad, the oldest child of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Cozad, of New Helena, was killed last week by a team running away with him. He was working for Mose Smith at the time and it was Smith's team that he was driving. It was about 9 o'clock Wednesday morning that he was hurt and died at 4 o'clock the same day. He was wounded in a most frightful manner. From the injuries inflicted on his body the wagon and team must have both passed over him. A wrench which he had in his pocket penetrated his bowels, and his ribs were broken, one of which was thrust through his lungs. One hip and leg was also broken. Fortunately he was not wounded about the head and he remained conscious to his death. He seemed to realize that his time had come and expressed a willingness to go, stating that he "might as well die now as any time," and in the last moments he reached out his hand to his mother who was standing by his bed side, and bade her good by with a grip of the hand while a gush of blood from his mouth prevented him from speaking the words. As blood poison set in from the first, there was no hope for him. At the time of the fatal accident Mr. Smith was away from home. It is said he cautioned the young man not to take the team out while he was away, as it was not safe. The funeral of the deceased was held on Thursday at the residence of Mr. Smith and the remains laid to rest in the New Helena cemetery. His parents, Mr. & Mrs. Cozad, are among the first settlers of the county, and are highly respected by all who know them. Their son, whose tragic death is above recorded, was just merging in to manhood and would have been twenty one years old Monday, May first. The Republican extends to them in their sad bereavement, our most sincere sympathy.

Obit published in The Custer County Republican, May 4, 1899, page 1, column 6.