The New Dominion

PROF. CHOLLET
FOUND DEAD
Killed By Accidental
Discharge of
Gun
While
Hunting.

REPORT OF GUN HEARD BY JOHN CLEAR
Rails Broke As Unfortunate Man Climbed Fence-Death Came
Quickly from Hemorrhage-Body Surrounded by Dogs He
Was Training--Verdict of Jury

The dead body of Professor Chas. Chollet was found shortly after nine o'clock this morning in a field east of town, by John Clear who was at work in a neighboring field. The news of the accident reached town shortly afterwards, and caused the deepest sorrow among hundreds of friends who have known him. People who had seen him alive and well yesterday, in the best of spirits, could scarcely realize what a terrible thing had befallen him. Squire Hayes impaneled a coroner's jury and went to the spot where the body lay undisturbed.

Professor Chollet left his home in South Park about seven o'clock this morning, with his gun and four beagle hounds. He made his way across the fields beyond the crest of South Park Hill, and was seen by several parties at work, to whom his figure had become familiar.

About nine o'clock, John Clear who was stacking oats on the slope across the ravine and thicket from the spot where the accident occurred, on what is known as the Fleming land, heard the baying of the beagle hounds. A little later he heard the report of a gun, followed in a few minutes by loud moaning. He listened, and thought it the call of a huntsman who had started game. He continued his work and in about ten minutes, his little son at work with him, said, "Father I hear some one moaning."

Mr. Clear left his work, crossed the hollow and came down the fence. He saw the body of Prof. Chollet, surrounded by three of his dogs. The fourth ran towards him, barking furiously, and seized him by the leg.

Mr. Clear hastened up over the hill, and called to Mr. Zinn, who was mowing in a field. B. A. Mackey, Mr. Zinn and some others ran at once to the spot. Mackey stooped over the body and listened for the heart beat, but life was extinct. They did not move the body or gun. It was 9:20 when Mackey went to the body.

'Squire Hayes impaneled a jury consisting of Jeff Tennant, Tim Bennett, Rufus West, E. M. Grant, Frank Cox, and E. B. Stewart. These with Dr. Hartigan and Dr. Bush went at once to the scene and held an inquest. The evidence of John Clear, B. A. Mackey, Dr. Hartigan, Dr. Bush, and R. B. Price was taken. A large number of his friends including several of his nearest associates in the University, also hurried to the scene, and stood with bowed heads and sorrowing hearts around the form of their friend.

The body lay about sixteen feet from the fence, which runs along the edge of a steep declivity. Above it spread the boughs of a big sugar tree. The legs were crossed and one foot was placed lightly against a small sapling. The arms were crossed under the head, which lay naturally, with the face downward, though the body rested on its right side.

A few feet up the hill, was found the gun. One hammer stood at full cock. The other was closed. The left barrel contained an empty cartridge, the right a similar one loaded with No. 8 shot. The muzzle pointed in the direction of the spot where he climbed the fence.

A close examination of this showed the manner of Prof. Chollet's death. Two rails were broken near the center of each. The gun-stock had cracked, and the tip of the butt had been shoved into the ground. There was grass in the hammers, accounting for the discharge of the piece.

The muzzle of the gun had been very close to the lower part of the abdomen, on the left side, when the cartridge was discharged. Dr. Hartigan and Dr. Bush examined the wound. They found that the load had taken a downward course, severing a great artery. The immediate cause of death was internal hemorrhage. The shirt and trousers above the wound were scorched by the explosion of powder.

From all these facts, it can be concluded with considerable accuracy that when the rails broke, Prof. Chollet slipped to the ground, on the steep slope, and pushed his gun in front of him to break his fall. The weapon was discharged either by the shock, or by grass catching the trigger.

The news of the accident was broken to Mrs. Chollet as gently as might be, by Prof. Patterson, one of her husband's nearest and best friends. Sympathy for her in her sudden and terrible bereavement, goes out from the hearts of all who know it.

Prof. Chollet was an enthusiastic sportsman. He loved the open air, the wide fields, and blue sky, and often spent his hours of recreation with dog and gun. He was training three young beagle hounds this morning, and his death while pursuing his favorite sport is too pathetic for words. The dogs seemed to realize that something had befallen their master, and waited patiently near his body during the inquest.

Prof. Chollet was of a genial, companionable disposition, and his friendship was highly prized by those who were so fortunate as to come near him. His learning and intellectual gifts were of high order. He possessed a fine voice, and few people in Morgantown have not heard his singing with pleasure in the different churches of the city.

A wife and three children survive him. The children are all young. They are Charlot, who is in Switzerland, Paul and the baby, who are at home. Mrs. Farrar, of Cambridge, Mass., the mother of Prof. Chollet's first wife, is also here.

SKETCH OF HIS LIFE.

Charles Chollet was born near Geneva in Switzerland in the year 1863. His father is dead, but his mother is still living not far from the Swiss capital. His only child by his first wife, a son, Charlot Chollet, is now in school in a college near the Professor's old home.

Prof. Chollet had his academic training in the College of Geneva, Switzerland, graduating there in 1880.

In 1883 he came to this country and entered Harvard University, graduating from that institution in 1887 with the degree A. B. For the next ten years he was engaged in teaching the French and German and ancient languages in New York and Louisiana colleges. From 1897 to 1900 he was a graduate student at Columbia University, New York. Since the year 1900 he has been associate professor and professor of Romance Languages and Literature in West Virginia University.

THE VERDICT OF THE JURY.

STATE OF WEST VIRGINIA
County Of Monongalia to Wit:

An inquisition taken at Morgantown, in the county of Monongalia on the 14th day of August in the year, 1903, before M. Hayes, a justice of the said county, upon the view of the body of Chas. Chollet there lying dead. The jurors sworn to inquire when, how and by what means the said Charles Chollet came to his death, upon their oath do say that Charles Chollet came to his death by means of a gun shot wound, accidentally inflicted in getting over a fence, while hunting on Friday, August 14th, 1903 at 9 o'clock a. m.

Rufus West
Frank Cox
Edgar B. Stewart
T. Bennett
E. M. Grant
Jefferson Tennant
M. Hayes, Justice

FUNERAL SERVICES
Conducted Over the Remains of Prof. Chollet.

Popular Features of His Life and Work Recalled—Body Will be Shipped to New York Monday—Family Will Accompany it and Remain in That City.

A large crowd of sorrowing friends assembled at the home of Prof. Chollet Saturday at ten o'clock to pay a last tribute of respect to his remains here. It was a sorrowful gathering, many of those attending were his associate professors and those who had been his students at the university.

Dr. A. M. Buchanan conducted the funeral services. Dr. Purinton president of the University made a brief address. He eulogized Prof. Chollet's faithful work as teacher in the University and his agreeable personality and cordial, conscientious disposition in all his relations with the president and faculty. He spoke of his great vitality, his enthusiasm and his energetic, joyful life.

Dr. Buchanan spoke words of encouragement for the sorely bereaved family. He referred to the Professor's joy in life, his happy career continuing almost to the instant of his death.

Deceased was a member of the church in which he was born in Switzerland. He had been very helpful to the churches here by contributing with his talented voice to the various services. He was trying to have his membership in the church at his old home at Geneva transferred to the Presbyterian church here, and would soon have had the transfer made.

Miss Jessie Moorehead sang softly, accompanied by Mrs. Gordon. Mr. Wrightson and Mr. Walter Barnes. "Naomi" and "Lead Kindly Light" were the hymns sung. Dean Wrightson sang a solo, "One Sweetly Solemn Thought."

The remains of Prof. Chollet were embalmed and will be kept here until Monday. They will be shipped east on the 3:10 train and will be accompanied by the family. After the interment in New York Mrs. Farrar will go to her home at Cambridge Mass. Mrs. Chollet and two children with her will remain with her aunt in New York with whom she made home when a child her mother dying while she was quite young. She also has a sister in New York City.

The home owned by Prof. Chollet in South Park will be kept by his widow, but she will not return to live in it.