The second page of the Fargo Forum on this day in 1913 testified to a strange coincidence that had occurred earlier in the day. Listed together in a column were two stories with near-identical titles. The first story was reported from Mott, North Dakota and told of an anniversary party gone amiss. While the Johner’s of Mott were celebrating their wedding anniversary, several of their guests decided to fire some shots in celebration. Amid the festivities, one of the guns was accidentally discharged during loading and shot the arm off of one of the guests. In nearby Harvey, North Dakota, another accidental discharge claimed the arm of a duck hunter when the boat carrying his party was overturned. The episodes of the day therefore caused the Forum to print the stories, entitled “Arm Shot off during Celebration” and “Hunter’s Arm Shot Away”, together in the evening paper. Fortunately, both men survived the incidents, save the unfortunate losses of limb.

-Jayme L. Job

Source:
Fargo Forum and Daily Republican (Evening ed.). October 7, 1913: p. 2.

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