Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1869-07-23
Published by request.l
A Warning to Parents and Youths.


On the 5th day of July, Willie Olive, with
his fathers permission left home to join some
playmates at short distance, in company
with little brother not ten years old. In
less than half an hour he was brought home
faint, bruised and bleeding, from fearful
wound, and laid down never to stand up
again until the resurrection morning. A few
days previous his father found Eve or six boys
playing with a short piece of gun barrel,
loading il with powder. pebbels, marbles, and
so on, and then throwing it in fire they
had there, to sec it go off, He warned them
of their danger and took the gun barrel from
them. Willie was not with them. but they
got another piece-and without his parents
knowledge, Willie got it and h ad it with him
when the accident occurred. He said at first
that the fire crackers burst in his pocket, but
when told that fire crackers could not make
such dreadful wound, he said it must have
been the gun barrel. He had no powder and
said he did not know it was loaded, which is
no doubt true. He said he put some fire
crackers in it. and the only explanation is.
that some OF those boys loaded il without his
knowledge-that he put some FIRE crackers in
it--some Of them lighted-and by some acei-
dent or carelessness turned the ,nuzzel to his
thigh. when the whole charge-powder. fire
crackers and all went into the flesh and ex-
ploded ther,. For over three days he seemed
to be doing better than could have been ex-
pected He did not have any sharp pain.
only dull, heavy aching in the wound, and
great pain and WEAKNESS in his back from
being compelled to lie in one position only.
Then he suddenly grew worse. Wild. rest
less, uneasy and sometimes wandering. he
never slept for two days and nights-yet he
never once groaned aloud. complained.
screamed or cried during his sickness He
was all patience. penitence and sweetness
to the last. He once said. =. This is hard. but
it is all my own fault suppose and l must
bear it. Obi Ma, if had only minded you
and "a. should not be lying here !" On
being asked If he was sorry that he had ever
been headstrong and disob-dient. he said.
" Oh. yes know have sometimes been
bad boy, but if l ever get vel / will be a
comfort to you. will always love and obey
you better" He expressed great peniteuce
for his faults-prayed for pardon from God
and asked his mother Ia pray fnr hIm-klssed
all his trends aud told them to meet him III
heaven.
Thus has fal len one of the noblest boy that
old mother earth has ever been permitted 10.
cradle IN her bosom. His loss to his parents
is irrepaiabl Though they bad been blessed
with ten children. they had none to spare.
He was so brave-so patieui--so Perseverirg
Ito commence thing with him was to finish
it. Nothing short of an insurmountable OBJ
stacle ever stopped hi Though young. he
could safely trust Kim to take care of almost
any thing else-but alas ! he failed to take
care of himself All his good aud noble
qualities could not save him IRON the penalty
disobedience :. He that being often reprov-
ed hardeneth his heart, shall suddenly be
destroyed. and that without remedy" Oil
parents keep your boys out OF the streets
aud keep them from firearms. gunpowder
and dangerous sports. Willie was not per.
mitted to play with such things. nor to leave
home without permission but being tempted
on every hand, he fell. I" The Lord gave
and the Lord has taken away, and blessed be
the name of The Lord" 8. o.