The Grange advance. [volume] (Red Wing, Minn.) 1873-1877, 1875-03-30
From Red Wing Argus.

! ACCIDENTAL DEATH.--On Wedncs
day the quiet of the village of Cannon Falls
was disturbed by the accidental shooting
OF lad of about twelve or fourteen, named
Robert Grave'in, by another bow named
Joseph Wise. A messenger was at once
sent for Coroner Parks. but as he was I'm.
able to 60 Frank Ives, ESQ.,, was deputised
who at once summoned jury to investigate
the case of the shooting. 1t appears from
the evidence that young Wise went to the
store Of J. W. Neff with a pistol, and CON-
menced freing from the back door at q
mark on wood pile. But one shot was
fired at the mark when he was stopped and
the door shut, and almost Immediately
thereafter the report of pistol was heard
by those in the store and on looking around
young Wise was observed holding Gravelin
in his arms, and inquiring if he was hurt.
The boy was Immediately taken to the
Falls House, the home of his parents, a
physician was called, but the wound was
fatal, the boy living but few moments.
The ball struck the child between the third
and fourth ribs, and the wound bled but
little externally.
From the evidence it also appears that
older persons had been in the habit Of firing
at this same wood pile for mark, that it
only contained about cord of wood and
was IN the direct range Of buildings. Also
that on the occasion Of this firing boy was
saving wood only some fifteen feet from
where Wise stood to fire. This case is only
another illustration Of the folly of allowing
boys the use Of weapons that they know
but little Of or have not judgment enough
to know how to handle properly. The
verdict Of the jury, which we give below
in full, of course acquits young Wise of any
intentional shooting, nor is there reason to
suppose that it was otherwise. The care
less use Of firearms is not confined to Cannon
Falls alone, and we have often wondered
that there has been no accident of the kind
in this city to record, as the firing Of guns
and pistols can be heard in all directions on
nearly every pleasant summer day. Il is
| time it was stopped. The following is the
verdict:
STATE OF MINNESOTA, )ss
COUNTY OF GooDHuE, 90.
An inquisition taken at Cannon Falls. in
the County of Goodhue, on the oath day o,
March A. D. 1875, before Frank Ives. Den.
uty Coroner ofsaid County of Goodhue. upon
| view of the body Of Robert Gravelin lyine
there dead, by the oaths of thejurors whose
names are hereunto subscribed, who beino
sworn to inquire on behalf of the State q
Minnesota, when, how and by what mean.
the said Robert Gravelin came to his death
upon their oaths do say that on the 23t
day of March, A. D. 1875, the said Rober
Gravelin came to his death at said town o
Cannon Falls by means of pistol sho
wound inflicted while such pistol was i,
the hands of one Joseph Wise, resident o
the town Of Cannon Falls in said Goodhu,
County. We do further find that sale
wound was inflicted without intent to d,
bodily harm to said deceased. We do fur
find that said Joseph Wise was and is gull
ty Of culpable negligence and carelessnes
in said act.
! At the conclusion Of the inquest coron
er's warrant was issued, and the boy
Joseph Wise, was arrested, taken befor
Justice Wilson, waived examination, an,
was bound over to the District Court il
$1,000 bonds.