Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1875-06-16
ACCIDENTAL SHOOTING.
| sDidn't Know that it was LORdedo-The
| Sad Scenes ut the Death Of an Unfortunate
Il y IL


ssDidn't Know that it was Loaded'-The
sad Scenes ut the Death Of an Unfortunate
Girl.
From the Boston Globe, June list.
Another sad tragedy was Yesterday
added to the long list of terrible events
that have occurred in the Bunker Hill
District during the past few months.
About noon, it was reported that Miss
Belle Whittier, living at No. 8 Linwood
place, had been shot and instantly killed
by pistol in the hands Of a lady board
ing in the same house. An indescrib-
able degree of excitement followed the
report, and vastnumberyof the curious
and the anxious crowded around the
house in which it was stated that
the tragedy took place. The re-
port proved true. Miss Whittier hay
ing received her death wound from a
bullet, accidentally fred by the hand of
her friend, Mrs. Thomas Banford. The
sad affair took place about II O'Clock.
Miss Whittier and her sister were
standing in the dining room. when Mrs.
Banford, who stepped softly into the
room with the pistol, which she did not
know was loaded, cooked the weapon
close behind the ear of Miss Whittier,
and with the intention of giving her
momentary fright, pulled the trigger.
The bullet penetrated the brain of tle
victim. and she fell dead without
word. The weapon used was an old,
single -barrelled affair, that had been
lying about the house, unloaded, for
many months, and had been regarded
more rs harmless toy than as weapon
Capable of doing any injury. The young
ladies' of the family had often amused
themselves by pointing the muzzle at
each other other, and swapping the ham
mer, but not until yesterday was itever
known to be loaded. Some days ago a
young lady, friend of the Whittier
.mily, was followed in the street by a
man, who seized her arm with the evi.
Diet purpose of robbing her of a valua-
BILE diamond ring which she wore on her
finger. Although the assailant was de-
featei in his object, the young lady's
experience made such an impression on
the minds Of Miss Whittier and her Sis
tiers, that one of the latter, Miss Martha
Whittier, aged about seventeen years,
Immediately suggested the propriety of
preparing against any such an affair by
loading the old pistol, and having it
ready for use. Yesterday morning Miss
Martha found somewhere about the
house cartridge which fitted the barrel
of the pistol. Although unused to fire.
arms, she was successful in her effort
to load the weapon. She then placed
it on shelf in the pantry, intending to
remove it to some other part Of the
house as soon as she completed some
household duties, at which she was at
the moment engaged. While the pistol
lay on the shelf, Mrs Banford passed
through the pantry from the front hall
into the dining room. Although very
timid lady, and especially afraid of fire.
arms, Mrs Banford had become so ac-
customed to seeing the pistol used in a
playful way, that she unhesitatingly
took it from the shelf. She passed
noiselessly into the room where Miss
Bell, and one of her sisters were, and
the sad result followed as recorded
above. The sister was partially stunned
for moment by the report, and recov-
cred consciousness to find Miss Belle
breathing her last in the arms of Mrs.
Banford, who caught her as she fell.
Mrs. Whittier, the widowed mother OF
the deceased, the sister, Miss Martha,
the two brothers and other mem
bers and friends of the family
were quickly summoned. Several
physicians were also called, but only to
find the poor girl already past all hui
man aid. Among the first to hasten to
the side of the dead girl was herlover, to
whom she was soon To he married The
utmost grief and sympathy was mani
tested on all sides. The deceased was
known among wide circle of friends
and acquaintance as kind, gentle,
generous and warm-hearted young lady.
She was member of the Bunker Hill
Literary Association. The full name
of the deceased was Laura Isabella
Whittier, and she was eighteen years
old. Mrs. Banford, as soon as she re-
allied the terrible effect of her act, sank
into condition bordering on insanity,
and it is feared that she may lose her