Researching Robert

 

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Accidental Death

by Jim Potter

I’d been on the trail of Robert Parks since he left his adoptive parents’ home on October 21, 1915. His departure was a surprise to Henry and Lydia Parks, of Groveland Township, McPherson County, Kansas.

In the 1910 US Census, Robert was already listed as “son by adoption” with the Parks family, only he was identified as Robert Borchart, not Parks.

As I continued to look backwards, it was easy to locate Robert in the 1900 US Census, even though his surname was spelled differently than Borchart. Two-year-old Robert and his two brothers were “inmates” or residents of an orphanage located outside of Hillsboro, Kansas, in a neighboring county to McPherson.

I knew a tragedy had befallen Robert’s parents a short time before the 1900 Census was taken because the youngest Borchart boy, Willie, was a one-year-old.

Upon searching the McPherson County newspapers for the year 1899, I learned the name of Robert’s father by reading of his death. Richard Borchart had died from an accidental gunshot on Sunday, May 7^th while on his way to go duck hunting with a friend.

 

Here is the complete, detailed account of the fatal accident to Richard Boehardt [sic], a shoemaker of Inman. “He and Mr. Augustine a blacksmith, of Inman, went to the lakes southeast of Inman Sunday morning for the purpose of killing ducks. Mr. Boehardt [sic] used the butt of his gun to punch the horse when it was discharged, the load taking effect in the arm near the shoulder, rearing all the flesh, muscles and arteries from the upper part of the arm. Mr. Augustine took a couple of handkerchiefs and tried to bind the injured member so as to staunch the flow of blood, but owing to the nature of the wound it was a difficult task and was only a partial success. He took the wounded man to a Russians [sic] near by, left him and went after a physician. Dr. Blake went and soon stopped the flow of blood, and the injured man was taken to his home. The physician wanted to amputate the injured arm, but the patient would not consent to it. The wound was dressed the best it could be, and all done that could be for his comfort. The loss of blood had been so great before a physician was called that he never rallied, continuing to grow weaker, dying about 10:30 Sunday night.

“The deceased left a wife and three little children in almost destitute circumstances. This is very sad, owing to the fact the wife is not strong, almost an invalid, with not a relative in the United States.” McPherson Freeman (McPherson, KS) May 12, 1899, 5.

Due to local newspaper articles, I had finally learned how Robert’s father died. The gory, minute by minute details were unexpected. When one of the Inman news articles announced the funeral service was held at a Lutheran Church, I figured he was most likely a church member.

Discovering details of Richard’s funeral service was elusive, but I knew I’d be visiting his grave to pay my respects. Having learned details of his death, I wanted to find out about his life. Who was he? And who was his wife?

She was more than a courtesy title. Mrs. Borchart’s story was vital to the family. I began searching for her first, middle, and maiden name.

I also prepared myself for another tragedy. Richard was dead, but what were the circumstances of his children being sent to an orphanage? Had Richard’s wife, the mother of three, followed him to the graveyard?

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