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Ivan Baltus Victim
Of Revolver Which
He Was Repairing
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ACCIDENT OCCURRED
SUNDAY MORNING
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Asked To Be Taken To Local Hospital To
Receive Medical Aid
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Ivan, sixteen year-old son of Mrs. Minnie Baltus, Second South Street, was injured Sunday morning in an accident which might have proven fatal when a revolver which he was trying to fix, discharged and entered the right side of his body penetrating the liver. He was taken immediately to the Loretto hospital where he is resting easily.
Had Found Revolver
According to his mother, Ivan had found the revolver several weeks ago and at intervals he had tried to fix the weapon which evidently would not operate correctly. On Sunday morning, Mrs. Baltus and her two sons had planned to drive to Belle Plaine to visit with her mother, Mrs. Theria Stiem who is living at the Altenhm there. About nine o'clock they we getting ready to go and Mrs. Baltus had taken a basket containing their lunch and had left the kitchen to put the basket in the automobile.
Ivan picked up the revolver and whether he tried to load it or whether he pull the trigger in a last attempt to make it work is not clearly known. His older brother, Irwin was outside the house with Claude Barnell and Ivan walked out of the house and over where they were standing. In low tones he told the boys to take him the hospital and they got into the car. When Mrs. Baltus saw them starting away she asked them where they we going and the boys replied that the would be right back, and they drove away.
Thought of Hospital Himself
Ivan had been in the Loretto hospital last year with a broken arm and naturally he thought that was the only place to go at this time. He did no realize that his injury was of a serious nature and neither did his brother or their companion. Upon entering the hospital the boy was found to be suffering from a serious injury and medical attention was summoned immediately
Send For Mother
When the lad began to suffer sharp pain he requested his older brother to go and get his mother. He had not wanted to tell her of his injury because he knew how badly she felt when he broke his arm and he did not want to excite her. Mrs. Baltus was greatly surprised when her son Irvin appeared at their home and asked her to go with him to the hospital. When told that Ivan wanted her and upon learning the true state of affairs, she very nearly collapsed.
Will Not Speak Of Accident
While the injury of the lad is considered one of a dangerous nature, hopes for his complete recovery are held. He is getting along as well as can be expected at this time. He refuses to talk about the accident, telling his mother that he will tell her all about it when they go home.
New Ulm Review
September 29, 1926
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