The Wichita city eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1872-1883, 1879-04-10

Last Saturday evening Benny EldriJge. in
company with sammy Heller and Henry
Woodcoch. all schoolmatcs and playfellows,
started out for a plOycr hunt south of town.
1t was past the middle of the afternoon. and
the three had but one gun--a breccll-loater-
between them. Ii WAS nearing shutdown.
and the party We're about three and half
miles south of town. bear the Grcenlee farm,
aud while young Heller WAS putting in ear
fridge. with the muZzlc of the gun turned
from the other two. Il flock Of birds got up.
In his excitement Benny ran round in front
the gun. and Sammy. in attempting in his
haste to close down the barrels had failed To
hali-cock the weapon and it was discharged
by the conclusion. The whole charge tore
through the fleshy part of young Eldrdge'>
thigh. about half way down 10 the knee.
completely seyering the femoral artery. His
companions were frightened 50 badly a. not
to know what 10 do. while the life-blood of
young Eidridge gushcd out at each pulsation
of his heart. y, the assistance Of the other
two he walked 10 school house near at hand
when he told them To tie something around
his leg to stop the blood. which they did but
this time The shadow Of evening were falling.
The assistance Of farmer living near by and
hi, wagon were secured. and Mr.. Clark Kim
caid. who was returning home. learning of
the accident rode back to the city with the
heartrending news to his parents and broth
Mr. Il M Iilrt.tr. Tho fail In
pany with others. started to meet the wound
ed boy. lie was lying in the wagon. his head
supported by young Heller. hi. face covered
up and his eyes closed. making no attempt To
talk until his father spoke to him. A. soon
rs he arrived home several ply sicians
were summoned, but the, determined that
IL wa, too late. Hardly an ounce &c blood re-
mained in his veins. He continued To talk
until halt past nine O'Clock. complaining Of
an oppression about his heart and pain in his
stomach. when ne quietly passed away. His
sister, Miss Matte. is at the Cheyenne Agcn-
cy. in the Indian Territory. Aitcr he had
received the wound he spoke to the boys and
said he would die. and expressed an anxiety
for the welfare of his dear sister. The follow
ing day was the anniversary of his BIRTH and
his sister had sent him n bundle of Indian
arrows and other tiinkets. aud congratula-
tory letter that he had reached flftecn. which
things arrived a, the postoflice the same hour
that he received the fatal shot.
Benjamin sumner Eldridge was fifteen year.
old lacking one day. lie was the child Of
mature years. the Youngest, and the pet of
the family. His affection for his sister Matte
aud his brother Roman was marked. His
funeral and burial took place on Monday.
Rev. John Kirby delivering an address OF
much feeling. The public schools were dis
missed. and hi, body was followed by a long
cortege ofcarra-es, and by fcllow-sehoolmatcs
BY twos on foot. lie was loved by all who
knew him for his many manly and gentle
qualities. We can say nothing of the deep
grief OF the father. mother. brother and
sister. The calamity was 80 une expected and
so sudden as 10 be almost un>upportable. IL
il u heavy hour. in which untold sorrow
eclipses all things else, nor word, nor tears
can mitigate its poignancy. A. to the COM
panions Of the Inflated little Benny their
anguish has been touching. There can be no
possible blame attached anywhere. Sammy
Hcllar has been almost Wild. the unfortunate
affair having proved upon his mind until fears
are entertained for his life He cannot rid
himself Of the horror. and for day OF two
past has been in critical mental and phy,i-
cal condition.