Edward I. Munson Sr.

Deer Hunter Near Ely Shoots Man

Nevadan Dies Instantly in Hunting Mishap

Tribune Intermountain Wire

ELY, Nev. – William Reynolds, 34, was accidentally shot and killed Sunday afternoon [October 20, 1940] by Melvin Thompson while on a deer hunt south of Ely.

According to Sheriff J. E. Orrock, Reynolds, Thompson and John Goddard, all brother-in-law, had left Ely early Sunday morning, driving to near the old coke ovens in the vicinity of the old town of Ward. They hiked back into the mountains and separated on the hunt.

Thompson saw what he thought was a deer coming out of a clump of trees and fired a bullet from a .30-.30 rifle, striking Reynolds in the back. It passed through his body, instantly killing him.

With Goddard, Thompson drove to Ely and reported the accident at the sheriff’s office. Acting District Attorney C. A. Eddy, Deputy Sheriff Floyd Copen, also a brother-in-law of Reynolds; Deputy Sheriff William Neill and Coroner Mary B. Claunch returned to the mishap scene with the two men. The body was brought to Ely Sunday evening.

The shooting was the second fatal accident to occur in the county during deer season. Edward I. Munson Sr. of McGill was killed October 6 when his gun discharged in the car he was driving while returning from a deer hunt when the car struck a small ditch.

Reynolds was a native of Malad, Idaho.[Born August 9, 1905.] He is survived by his wife, five sons, Garth, Gordon, Monty, Jerry and Fred Reynolds. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Tally Reynolds of Malad; a brother, Rex Reynolds, and two married sisters, residing in Malad.

A resident of the Ely district for the past 12 years he was employed as an engineer with the Nevada Northern railroad.

Funeral Services For Billy Reynolds

Thursday afternoon at two o’clock the stake tabernacle was filled to capacity with friends and relatives who gathered at the funeral services for Billy Reynolds, who wsa [was] accidently killed while deer hunting. Jess Hughes, member of the third ward bishopric was in charge of the following services.

Musical numbers were given Mrs. Margaret E. Jones, St. John quartet, Keith Evans. The speakers were Cy Price, E. N. Crowther.

Prayers were offered by Guy Gleed and D. Dredge Thomas. Interment was in the Malad cemetery with bishop LaGrande Horsley dedicating the grave.

Those from out of town who attended the funeral were: Mr. and Mrs. John Strauss, Mr. and Mrs. Fredie Goddard, Mr. and Mrs. John Goddard, Mr. and Mrs. Melvin Thomson, Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Francis, Ely Nev., Mr. and Mrs. Newel Nish of Portage, Mr. and Mrs. Chester Bailey, Magna, Mr. and Mrs. Rees Jones, Pocatello, Mrs. Hannah Davis, Mrs. Ray Couch, Garland, Gordon Crowther, Mrs. Margaret Harris, Logan.