Hi -
I came across this Wellsboro Agitator article, dated 10/12/1886, while
looking for something else. I'm not sure if the boy is a relation, but it
gives a good lesson!
Serious Shooting Accident A Boy's Life Endangered by the Careless Handling
of a Toy Pistol. A very serious accident occurred in this village last
Saturday morning from carelessness in handling a toy pistol. Three lads -
James Hazlett, Lee Richards and William Borden - each about twelve years of
age, and all living at the east end of the borough, started about nine
o'clock to go chestnuting on Marsh creek. The Bordon boy had an old musket,
and young Richards was armed with a toy pistol.
The lads walked up Sheridan street, intending to pass through the cemetery.
Near the cemetery gate they halted to inspect their weapons and talk about
them. Young Richards drew from his pocket his small single-barreled pistol,
which was loaded with a 22-caliber Flobert percussion cartridge. While
handling the pistol it was in some manner accidentally discharged, and the
ball struck young Hazlett in the right eye. With a cry of pain, the wounded
boy fell helpless to the ground. He was carried to his home near by on Tioga
street, and two surgeons were called to attend him.
The boy was unconscious for several hours, but finally recovered sufficiently
to describe his symptoms. It was found that the bullet had penetrated the
right eye-ball, but up to this time it had not been determined where it
lodged. It has been deemed unadvisable to probe for the ball at present.
Dr. W. W. Webb, who has charge of the case, expresses grave fears of the
result of the injury, but it is hoped the lad may recover. Yesterday
afternoon his condition was not so favorable as it had been. Of course the
eye was destroyed.
It's quite a disturbing article, but it proves that Moms are right about one
thing - those things really can put your eye out!
Betsy Gorman