“Ruth McGraw, 15, daughter of Mrs. Stella McGraw, 4233 Spruce street, New Boston, died in Portsmouth General hospital at 12:15 PM today of a bullet wound suffered Tuesday about 6 PM.”
“The girl was alone in an upstairs room when wounded. She told her mother the fun was discharged accidently while she was polishing it.”
“The .45 caliber bullet entered the abdominal cavity, punctured intestines, passed through the stomach and liver and emerged at the back. An operation was performed but internal hemorrhages caused death.”
“Dr. JD Rose1 gave a verdict of accidental death.”
“Surviving are the mother and a brother, Alva McGraw, 28, of Atlanta, Georgia. The father was the later Homer McGraw.”
“The girl had attended Glenwood High school and was a member of Immanuel Baptist church at New Boston.”
“Burial will be in Greenlawn under the direction of Windel-Howland.”2
The Ohio Certificate of Death for Ruth E. McGraw
“The body of Ruth McGraw, 15, daughter of Mrs. Stella Mault McGraw, 4233 Spruce street, New Boston, who died Thursday in Portsmouth General hospital of an accidental pistol wound in the abdomen, is at the residence.”
“Miss McGraw was born June 13, 1922, at Warren. Her father, Homer McGraw, was killed in a hunting accident 13 years ago. She was a sophomore at Glenwood High school, and had lived at New Boston virtually all her life.”3
“Funeral services for Ruth McGraw, daughter of Mrs. Stella McGraw, 4233 Spruce street, New Boston, who died Thursday of an accidental pistol wound will be conducted at Immanuel Baptist church at 2 PM today. Reverend WW Barndollar, pastor, will officiate and burial will be in the mausoleum at Greenlawn cemetery. The body is at the residence.”4
The Crypt of Ruth E. McGraw at Greenlawn Cemetery’s Old Mausoleum
