Published as it appeared on Sept. 5, 1913, in the Corvallis Gazette-Times, Page 1, Column 3.
DICK DUNN IS
A VICTIM OF
.22 BULLET
———
Found shot Through
Neck, Died Last
Night — Accident
or suicide.
———
Shot through the neck with a 22-caliber bullet, Dick Dunn, wealthy rancher of Kings Valley, and known as one of the “best hearted” men in Benton county, died at his home there last night about 11 o’clock. He was shot about 4 o’clock by accident or with suicidal intent. Complications resulting from a particular stroke last April, which left the muscles of his throat in bad condition, brought strangulation at the hour named, and ended in his death.
Mr. Dunn, unconscious, was found on the road near his home about one mile from Kings Valley, on the Luckiamute river. He was removed to the house, and an examination revealed that a bullet had entered either the front or back of the right side of his neck and had come out at the opposite point. The opening on the front side of the neck was large and the rear was small. This indicates that the bullet entered from the rear of the neck, and develops the theory that Mr. Dunn was shot accidentally where he fell to the ground from some cause, or while he was lying there or trying to get up. It is difficult to conceive how he could deliberately get the rifle to the back of his neck and kill himself but it is known that very peculiar accidents can happen.
Sadly Afflicted.
Mr. Dunn, while a man of many good traits, had an overwhelming weakness — he was a hard drinker. He had been seriously ill, also, for five or six years, arterio-schlerosis and attendant heart trouble causing him much trouble. A few months ago he was stricken with paralysis, the muscles of his throat being affected. He could scarcely talk, and found it difficult to eat. It is not to be wondered at that he may have been despondent, though, there is no report of this. However, it is known that he applied to two officials of this city for a permit to carry a revolver, and this was denied him. When jokingly asked if he wanted to kill himself. Mr. Dunn said something about his heart trouble.
The rifle he had yesterday, and which probably caused his death, was secured at King’s Valley. Mr. Dunn borrowed it to shoot gophers with, and it is said that before his body was found, he had been heard shooting at a target and other objects. However, his sight had not been good and his trembling hands made it impossible for him to do any expert shooting. Some say that he was en route home from King’s Valley when the accident occurred. The body was found near his hop yard, about a quarter of a mile from his house.
Substantial Citizen.
Mr. Dunn had extensive holdings in Kings Valley, a thousand acres, perhaps, of as fine land as there is in Benton county. And he had it well stocked. Some years ago he was divorced from his wife, a former Mrs. Allen, and he left only two stepsons, Tom and Link Allen. Two sisters are residents of Portland. Mr. Dunn lived on his farm with Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Woods, overseers. Dick Dunn was a brother of Henry Dunn, who died very suddenly of heart failure, between here and Philomath several years ago; also a brother of Jimmie Dunn. shot in this city many years ago. Dick was counted a “good fellow” and was liked by everyone in Kings Valley.
The remains will be brought to Corvallis, probably Sunday, and interred in the Newton cemetery.
Editor’s note: The Oregon State Board of Health death certificate for Mr. Dunn listed the cause of death as “accidentally shot himself through the neck.”