Des Moines Tribune
02 Jan 1928, Mon · Page 1

Mother and Other Children Witness Tragedy at Alexander Home in Southwest Des Moines.
By Dinty Moore

At home with her eight children for the yule season, after weeks of suffering in the hospital, Mrs. W. E. Alexander watched her 6 year old son Paul , accidently kill his sister Violet, 15 years old at 10 o'clock yesterday morning.
Powerless to intercede before the younster's chubby fingers closed around the trigger on his older brother's 12 gauge shot gun. Mrs. Alexander was momentarily blinded by the charge which brought instant death to her daughter.
The accident occured at the Alexander home at 152 South West Sixteenth street.
READY FOR HUNT
Gathered around the heating stove in the living room, jesting with their brother, William, 18 years old, who was preparing for a rabbit hunt with Le Roy Keener, 17 years old, 1304 Market street, other members of the family witnessed the tragedy.
Shot from the charge penetrated the ceiling in the room, and burning powder narrowly missed the faces of those who stood near the heater.
Before William dressed for the hunting expedition, he jammed a loaded shell into the chamber of the rickety old single action gun, and stood the weapon in a corner behind the stove. Paul watched him intently and despite the cautions by his mother, slipped around near where the loaded piece stood.
Violet stood warming her hands and laughed and talked with her family. Her back was towards Paul. Mrs. Alexander glanced around the room and her eyes centered upon the youngster who was playing with the gun. Before she could stop him, Mrs. Alexander recounted, the gun was fired. The detonation paralyzed those who pushed near the heater, and escaped the flying shot and powder.
DIED INSTANTLY
The charge entered the the girl's head at the top of the skull, she died instantly.
Police were called to the Alexander home and the body was taken to Lilly's funeral establishment in an ambulance. Coroner H. J. Wright investigated the accident and decided to hold no inquest.
Paul was brokenhearted over the tragic death of his sister. He could not be consoled, and sobbed out the pitiful plea, " I didn't mean to do it - I love Midgie." Violet was known as Midgie to her family.
Funeral services have not been arranged.
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Des Moines Tribune
11 Jan 1928, Wed · Page 4

CASH GIFTS GAVE ALEXANDER GIRL PROPER FUNERAL

" Des Moines residents certainly displayed their sympathy and generousity," said Mrs. W. J. Armstrong, 1603 Bluff st.,today in commenting upon the response given to a plea for funds with which to bury Violet Alexander, 15 - year- old Des Moines girl, who was accidentaly shot by her small brother New Years day.
Mrs. Armstrong stated that approximately twenty -five subscriptions were secured from people in all walks of life and the money contributed proved fully sufficent too give the child a good funeral service. Funeral was made in Glendale cemetery.