Lon O PICKENS

January 9, 1875 - July 4, 1911

*Obituary
Benton County Democrat
Thursday, July 6, 1911

PICKENS, Lon 0. - On the afternoon of July 4th a telegram was received here by relatives announcing the accidental killing of Dr. L.O. Pickens at Ashland, Okla. His remains were brought here for interment Wednesday evening, July 5th, accompanied by his wife; Frank Victor of Afton, Oklahoma; R.G. Hall, son and daughter; Misses Cook and Marguerite Jones of Ashland, Okla. Funeral services were conducted at the Cumberland Presbyterian Church by the Revs. Wm. McDougall and Peter Carnahan. After the services the Masonic Lodge took charge of the burial services and the remains were laid to rest in the City Cemetery. The accident occurred about 1 o'clock on the afternoon of July 4th at the residence of R.G. Hall in Ashland, Okla. where Dr. and Mrs. Pickens were spending the day. After dinner Dr. Pickens went to the lawn to take a nap and while he was asleep a target gun was discharged, the ball penetrating his head just below his right ear, death being instantaneous. The deceased leaves a wife and little son, his parents, ex-Sheriff R.A. Pickens and wife, five brothers and two sisters to mourn with other friends his untimely death. An obituary will appear in the next issue of the Democrat.

*Obituary
Gravette News-Herald
Friday, July 14, 1911

Frank Victor of Afton arrived here and was met by his father, Dave Victor, Friday, coming on account of the obsequies of his brother-in-law, Dr. Lon Pickens, who was accidentally shot at his home at Ashland, Okla. Burial occurred at Bentonville.

*Obituary
Rogers Democrat
Thursday, July 6, 1911

A telegram was received here Tuesday telling of the death of Dr. Lon Pickens, a son of ex-Sheriff R.A. Pickens of Pea Ridge, who had been shot and killed by his little four year old son at their home at Ashland, near McAlester. The body was brought back to Bentonville for burial and the funeral party passed through Rogers last evening on their sad journey. We do not know the exact details but it is said Dr. Pickens had been using a 22 target rifle, which had been left loaded in a place where the little boy could get it. The father had laid down on a sofa and gone to sleep and as there was no one in the room it is not known just how the accident happened but the gun was discharged and the ball struck the sleeping man in the head, just back of the ear, killing him instantly. Dr. Pickens had lived at Ashland about 8 years. He was almost 40 years old and leaves a wife and one child, the little boy. He was born and raised in Benton county and the sudden and tragic death was a terrible shock not only to the bereaved parents and relatives, but to the large circle of friends and neighbors. The Democrat can only join in extending its deepest sympathy to the bereaved ones.

*Obituary
Benton County Democrat
Thursday, July 13, 1911

Lon 0. Pickens was born at Pea Ridge, Ark. on January 9, 1875. He was one of nine children born to Mr. and Mrs. R.A. Pickens. The first break came to the family a few months ago when Grace Pickens Broyles was called to the heavenly home. Lon Pickens lived his boyhood days in his place of birth where he made for himself many friends. In May 1887 he professed faith in Christ and united with the Cumberland Presbyterian Church at Pea Ridge. He studied at Masonic College at Pea Ridge and while in college he became acquainted with Meda Victor who afterwards became his wife. One child was born to this union. Lon attended the medical school at Nashville, Tenn. where he was graduated an M.D. After his graduation he went to Oklahoma where he practiced medicine and since that time Dr. Pickens has proved himself an indispensable source of usefulness in his profession. Going to Ashland, Okla. when the place was in its infancy, Dr. Pickens contributed his means and ability to the upbuilding of the town and the progress of Ashland has been largely due to his efforts. He was a strong factor in every enterprise for the common good and the religious and educational circles have lost a friend whose place it will be difficult to fill. On July 4, 1911 Dr. Pickens met with a few friends in a social capacity; every heart was gay, every countenance was cheerful; innocent mirth encircled the company and unclouded joy seemed promised for a long continuance, but alas, that dread enemy of the human race {from the piercing of whose arrows there is no escape} visited the company and in a moment of time, the result of an accident, Dr. L.O. Pickens was ushered from time into eternity. By the removal of Dr. Pickens from his profession, suffering humanity has lost a faithful friend and advisor, the world at large has lost a brother and the neighborhood in which he lived has lost a good neighbor. The widow has lost an affectionate husband; this is a wound, indeed, and if love can bleed at all it bleeds with a wound like this. The child has lost a tender father and affectionate friend, a careful provider, and if the misfortunes of infancy can in any case claim our pity, this is a loss over which it would be inhuman not to weep. Not only has a child lost a parent but father and mother have lost a child. Sorrowing hearts, Dr. L.O. Pickens is not dead but sleepeth, and if we trust in the Savior on whom his hope was stayed, some day we shall all live together in the home of the redeemed. Rev. William McDougall.

Contributed on 7/27/13 by judyfrog
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