| Notes |
- Cash's middle name is no doubt Tilghman in honor of his father's father and is why he is listed herein that way unless substantial proof to the contrary arises. It should be noted that Webster and Caroline included the names of various no doubt beloved family members when naming several of their children such as their first born child, Cade Caldwell Drollinger, who was named in honor of his mother's father.
Newspaper article: "Cash Drollinger, aged 10 years, was killed instantly - Side of Head and Face Blown Away - A Very Large Crowd Attend the Funeral on Monday - One of the saddest and most terrible fatal accidents that is has been our duty to chronicle, occurred about 9:30 o'clock Sunday morning, when Cash T. Drollinger, son of Webster Drollinger, the well known farmer living on Scott's Prairie, was killed, the facts of which are follows: All the family with the exception of Mrs. Dorlllinger, as has ever been their custom were dressing, preparatory to attending Sunday school at the Scott's Prairie church.
Cash and his brother, Oval, age 14 years, were in the bed room putting on their clothing. Orval was setting on a lounge lacing his shoes, when suddenly there was a report of the gun and Cash fell heavily to the floor. Orval jumped to his feet, but was speechless. Webster, who was in the other room heard the report and thought at first that it was the explosion of gas in the stove, but noticing that it was not the stove he went to the bedroom door and there met a sight he will never forget. His precious son lay only partly dressed sweltering in his blood on the floor and the smoke in the room told the tale. Webster first thought was that the boy was only hurt and started to pick him up when he saw that the entire right side of his face and head were literally torn away and that he was dead. He ran to the telephone and called Charley Isley, his nearest neighbor; he soon arrived and also Zeb Booe, who was passing, and Coroner Rice was summoned. On his arrival, the investigation showed that just how the accident occurred will never be known, though as he states in his verdict it was accidental and no blame can be attached to anyone.
The gun belonged to Webster's eldest son, Cade, age 19 years. The boys had it out in the field with them on Friday when they were husking corn and thoughtlessly brought it to the house with a loaded shell in each barrel, it being a breech loading shot gun. It was placed in the bedroom in a space of only a few inches on the north side of the house between a bed and book desk.
Oval was sitting with his back to Cash and could not tell what he was doing, but thinks he got up on the bed or desk to reach for his hat that was hanging on a hook over the gun, fell and in falling struck the gun, causing it to explode with the terrible result. The gun, after the accident, was standing in the corner, the stock broken, the shell that had been in the right hand barrel and did the awful work was out, Oval stating that he picked it up off of the floor and threw into the yard, and the hammer was down on the left side.
There being no witness it will never be know just how the accident happened, but it matters not at that for it was dreadful and a shock to the entire community, for Cash was a bright child, loved by all who knew him. He was 10 years, 5 months and 27 days of age, the idol of fond parents and his future looked bright. The family were prostrated over the terrible affair and have the sincere sympathy of everyone.
The deadly missiles evidently took an upward course, as some of the shot was found in the casting above the door, and the best conclusion is that as the child fell, in getting his hat, he struck the gun, causing it to fall, the hammer striking the floor or wall discharging the shell as the barrels remained in an upright angle with the terrible results above described, while the position of the gun after the shooting can be attributed to the act of any member of the family who under the terrible shock and excitement would not realize what they did or how it was done.
The funeral of the unfortunate boy was held Monday afternoon, service being conducted in the Scott's Prairie church by Rev. Shamhart, after which the remains were laid to rest in the Bonebrake Cemetery. The attendance was larger than at any funeral held in that community for years and was a showing of the high esteem and the deep sense of sympathy for the family by all who knew them."
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1894 - 1904 (10 years)
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