Obituary: Winnebago County, Wisconsin: Charles GOETTMANN ************************************************************************ Submitted by Kathy Grace, April 2005 © All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.org/copyright.htm ************************************************************************ Daily Northwestern July 25, 1927 p.14 Boy Fatally Hurt Due to Accidental Discharge of Rifle Son of Mr. and Mrs. E.C. Goettmann Meets Death in Tragic Shooting at Summer Resort An outing being enjoyed by several families at Sylvan Beach on Lake Winnebago Sunday, came to a tragic ending shortly before noon when Charles "Chuckie" Goettmann, 7 years old, son of Mr. and Mrs. Earl C. Goettmann, Mt. Vernon street, was shot and killed by an unexpected discharge from a .22 caliber rifle held by a small companion who was with him on a snipe and black bird hunt. The rifle was being held by Donald McDonald, 10 years old, son of Mr. and Mrs. A.B. McDonald, 518 Main street, when the accident occurred. According to the best account of the incident, the boys had found a dead snipe lying on the beach at Island Point and were bending over examining it, when the gun went off, the Goettmann cottage, about three-quarters of a mile away. The bullet had evidently pierced a vital spot, for the boy had stopped breathing when the men reached him. Arthur McDonald thought the lad started breathing while he was carrying him to the cottage, but physicians were of the opinion later that he had died instantly. The children said Roland Barnes, son of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Barnes of Neenah, had attempted to carry the little boy before the adults arrived, but the burden was too heavy for him. After carrying the boy for a way, George Fitzgerald hurried on ahead and notified Mr. Goettmann, father of the lad. Mr. Goettmann, got his car ready immediately and they rushed the victim to Mercy hospital. Dr. J. M. Hogan had been notified by telephone and was at the hospital. Efforts were made to resuscitate the boy, but the spark of life was already extinct. An examination of the body revealed a bullet hole the right breast and at the back, below the left shoulder. There was some uncertainty as to whether the bullet had entered through the breast or back. The McDonald's boy's version was that the bullet had struck the Goettmann boy's breast. The accident was a severe shock to the entire party. A great many friends joined in sympathy with Mr. and Mrs. Goettmann. The little boy was regarded by all who knew him as a "real youngster". He was the only boy of a family of four children. He was born in this city Jan. 24, 1920 and was therefore exactly 7 1/2 years of age. He was a second grade pupil at the Lincoln school. Surviving are the parents and three sisters, Helen, Jane and Jean. Helen was with him when the accident occurred. Because the Goettmann's have not yet taken possession of the new residence on Mt. Vernon street, the funeral is to be held from the home of the grandparent, Mrs. and Mrs. M. H. Goettmann, 270 Waugoo street. The complete arrangements have not been made, however. Both Mr. and Mrs. Goettmann declared this morning, they held the McDonald boy blameless for the accident. The parents of the McDonald boy are grief stricken over the affair. July 27, 1927 p.4 Goettmann- Funeral services for Charles Edwin Goettmann, 7-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Earl C. Goettmann, who was accidentally killed by a bullet from a .22 caliber rifle Sunday, will be held at 2:30 o'clock Wednesday afternoon at the home of his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. M.H. Goettmann, 220 Waugoo street. Rev. J.N. Barnett will officiate. Interment will be in the family lot at Riverside cemetery.