Sunday, Dec. 3, 1882: Killed by a fractious horse
Posted on February 19th, 2008 – 8:01 AMBy Ben Welter
Lacking seatbelts and airbags, a one-horse open sleigh was apparently unsafe at any speed. The Daily Minnesota Tribune reports on a “peculiarly distressing” accident.
A FATAL ACCIDENT
Mrs. John Tapper Killed on Friday Afternoon by a Fractious Horse
 |
| A one-horse sleigh — and a less fractious horse — on a St. Paul street in about 1890. (Photo courtesy mnhs.org) |
The many friends of Mrs. John Tapper will be surprised and shocked beyond measure to learn of her sudden death, which took place on Friday near her home at Minnehaha, under peculiarly distressing circumstances. On the afternoon in question Mrs. Tapper, accompanied by her sister, was making calls on her neighbors, and on arriving at the house of Mr. Abner Godfrey, she fastened her horse to a hitching post, and after the call was made the horse was unloosed and the two ladies got into the sleigh, when the horse commenced backing. Mrs. Tapper jumped out just as the sleigh turned over, and the horse, falling at the same time, rolled over Mrs. Tapper, killing her almost instantly. Deceased was a lady universally respected. She was one of the pioneer ladies of Minneapolis, having arrived at the Falls of St. Anthony with her father’s family in 1849. She was a daughter of the late Waterman Stimson [the writer meant Stinson], and was married to Capt. Tapper in 1852. For years after her marriage her home was on Nicollet island. She leaves five children. Capt. Tapper and family have the warmest sympathy of an extended circle of acquaintances in their bereavement. Mrs. Tapper at the time of her death was in the 46th year of her age. The funeral will be held at the family residence, Minnehaha, Monday afternoon at 2 o’clock.
 |
| Abner Godfrey and John Tapper in about 1900, nearly 20 years after Mrs. Tapper’s death. (Photo courtesy mnhs.org) |
