The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1879-03-27
TCincinuati Commercial |

What is to be done with people who
persist in hourishing firearms in the face
of family and friends, after the repeated
warnings they have had of the danger to
which they expose them2 If a servant
girl persists in pouring coal oil on a light
ed fire, and an explosion follows in which
she is fatally injured, she takes the con
sequences of her ignorance, but fellow
who points pistol or a musket at his
wife or child, just to frighten them, and
is amazed to find it discharge its deadly
contents into their heads or hearts-what
is to be done with him? Is he to be ex
cused and allowed to go free of punish
ment for his criminal carelessness? Ought
he not to be held responsible for man
slaughter, at least? We have incidents
to report almost daily of this careless,
reckless foolishness. A painful case of
this kind was reported yesterday in a
special dispatch from Louisville. A ne
gro named Pettway living with woman
named Lizzie Gray, was fourishing a
pistol about the room occupied by them,
repeatedly pointing and swapping it at
her, just, as he says, to frighten her. She
told him not to do SO, and warned him
that it was loaded; but paying no atten-
ton to her admonitIon. he pulled the
trigger again. and this time it was dis
charged, the contents entering her brain
and killing her instantly.
Now, il it was not a purposely devised
accident, if he did not intend killing her
under the pretense that he did not be-
lieve the pistol loaded, what ought to be
done with SO arrant fool2 He would
possibly profit by his experience, and be
careful how he handled firearms in the
presence of others hereafter. But his
caution is gained by fearful experience
He can not restore the life taken in this
foolish manner. His criminality is in
pointing the weapon at the woman at
all. There is no law making it penal
otfense; but there ought to be- 1t ought
to be understood that it is statutory
| offense, and making one liable to serious
consequences. to point any frearm
whether loaded or unloaded-since who
| can tell how it stands ?-at another per
| son.
Had Pettway pointed the pistol at his
own head, pulled the trigger, and blown
| out his brains, what there are of them
| the loss would have been inconsiderable
| and the Coroner would have returned 8
verdict of accidental self slaughter. But
the case stands differently when. in his
mad folly, he has killed another; and he
is the more to be censured that even an
unlettered negro ought after the repeat
ed and daily multiplying incidents OF the
sort, to have exercised some caution in
| handling the weapon.
1t is not unfrequent that children are
killed in playing with firearms. But
there is some excuse for them. They
are not supposed to be familiar with them
to be conscious of the imminent danger
to which they expose each other. But
that grown up people should indulge in
the fatal folly of pointing weapons al
each other for the sport of witnessing the
| terror of those thus menaced, is incom
prehensible. Yet it is almost daily oc
currence, and it is to be feared that unless
penal consequences are made by law tC
attach to the practice it will never cease