The following item was in the July 1, 1920, Lowell Tribune (page 1, column 5):
Details of Death
Some two months ago mention was made in this paper of a cablegram received by the Presbyterian Board of Foreign Missions in New York announcing the death by accident of Rev. L.D. Hemminger, one of their missionaries in West Africa. As it takes from six to eight weeks for the arrival of letters from Africa to this country the near relatives have for that time been in great suspense to hear from Mrs. Hemminger and learn the particulars of his death. Last week Mrs. Julia Kobelin, of Crown Point, received the desired letter from her sister Mrs. Edna Heminger and also copy of one sent to the Board by Rev. J.A. Keis, of the West Africa Missions. An extract from this letter will answer the frequent inquiries made regarding Mr. Heminger's death. At Efulen (his mission station) a leopard had for some time been stealing whatever he could get on the bill. Mr. Heminger set a trap with a short gun in it for the leopard. He had set the trap several evenings, but the last evening forgot he had placed the cartridges in the gun and when he touched the trip cord to see if it were tight enough, the loads from both barrels were sent through his left arm. He made his way to the dispensary where the black medical assistants did their best. Word was immediately sent to the doctor at the nearest station but connections were unusually slow and he did not receive the message until thirty-six hours after and then he was eleven hours in making the trip. He was too late, the arm was amputated but gangrene had set in, in a most virulent form and Friday, April 30, he passed away, the accident occurring the 27th. In the death of Mr. Heminger, the Board feels that it has lost one of its most active and consecrated workers. Mrs. Heminger has expressed the desire to hold out until her furlough is due in January, when she will have the company of Dr. S.F. Johnson and perhaps Rev. Reis and wife, missionaries who expect at that time to return to America.
NOTE -- The last name of the deceased had two spellings within this article -- Hemminger" and "Heminger.