Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-07-31
IT PROVED FATAL.

| The Death of the Unfortunate Lad Harry
Boles-Mr Meeker Fully Exonerated for
the Accident.
After night of lingering agony the death
of Harry Boles, the victim of the deplorable
accident at White Bear lake, particulars of
which appeared in yesterdays issue of the
GLOBE, occurred few minutes before
o'clock yesterday morning, at st. Joseph's
hospital As announced in yesterdays
GLOBE, the circumstances leading to the un-
happy affair all went to show that the shoot
ing was purely accidental and the develop
ments yesterday morning fully substantiated
this theory.
In view of the death of the lad, and the
arrest Of Mr.. Meeker, the helpless instru-
ment of the accident, 1t became necessary to
hold judicial examination, which took
place before Judge O'Brien at 10 O'Clock
yesterday forenoon.
The court room was crowded with those
who had witnessed the accident, many of
whom were prominent and we'll known citi-
zens. The scene was affecting in the ex-
treme and one or two of the witnesses,
strong men, broke completely down in un-
dergoing the ordeal of an examination. Mr..
Mseker, the defendent, was almost pros
trated with grief, and a more touching
scene it would be impossible to imagine.
The testimony all went to exonerate Mr..
Meeker, as did the declaration of the dying
lad, as given by DR.. Murphy.
Baliff Mullins was first sworn and testified
to having been called Immediately after the
accident. The lad was lying on the ground
bleeding from q wound in the body.
Mr.. Meeker had been pointed out
as the one who did the shooting, and he
was found with his face buried in his hands
overcome with grief. Witness put MIR.
Meeker under arrest and brought him to
this city.
DIR. Murphy testified to meeting the in
jured lad on the arrival of the train from
White Bear lake. Witness examined the
lad and extracted the bullet from the right
side below the lower rib. The ball had
passed through the body. It was small
ball, number thirty-two in calibre. Witness
asked the lad how the accident occurred.
Deceased stated that he was rubbing out
cartridge marks from the target. He had
erased the marks Just before Mr.. Meeker
raised the rifle, but observing a mark he
stepped up to rub it out when he was shot.
Witness told the deceased that he could not
get well. The boy said that it was purely an
accident and his own fault. He stated that
he wanted nothing done with Mr.. Meeker,
who wasn't to blame.
Mr.. ]. J. Kennedy, of Winona, testified to
hearing the shot, and having seen the boy
stagger. Witness helped carry the boy to
| the Leip house. The ball entered the left
side and went diagonally through the stom-
| ach. Mr.. Meeker appeared overcome by
the accident.
John FL. Fische, st. Louis, was the next
witness. He had known MIR. Meeker since
1852. Was standing by when the accident
occurred. Heard the cry, "I'm shot," Saw
the boy grow pale and stagger. Meeker's
"Uncle Henry, look after father" At this
point witness became SO affected that he
broke down.
DIR. Quinn testified to having attended the
deceased with DR.. Murphy, and to having
heard the boy say that the shot was purely
accidental.
MIR. Mortimer, St. Louis, saw the accident.
| The deceased had rubbed out the cartridge
marks, and stepped back from the target.
Observing another mark lower down on the
target, he went up to rub it out when he re-
ceived the shot. The rife was Smith &
Wesson hair trigger.
Benjamin Schnurmacher, st. Louis, testi-
fled to the same as the foregoing witness.
Henry Meeker, son of the defendant, was
standing by when the accident occurred. De-
ceased rubbed out the marks and stepped
away, he came back after his father had
raised the gun.
Judge OGorman stated that he coincided
| with the evidence of the former witnesses.
After rubbing away the marks the boy
stepped six feet from the target and rushed
back again. Witness thought the gun went
| off before Mr.. Meeker had gotten it into DO
sition.
William G. Meeker, the defendant, testi-
| fed as follows:
Am 55 years of age, married, and reside at
No. Sc Commercial street, Newark, New
Jersey. Am in the leather and finding bust
ness at No. 80 Market street Arrived in
st. Paul the 10th of June. Came here on
the advice of physicians for the benefit of
| my sons health. Was at White Bear Thurs
day. On the way to the station was invited
to shoot at target. Took the rifle and the
| way was clear. Didn't see the young man
near the target. Didn't intend firing when
| the gun went OF. Had had no practice with
a rifle since boyhood. Was not aware that
the rifle had hair trigger. By the court
The boy was several feet away when the gun
was lifted.
The court referred to the unfortunate
affair, and said that from the evidence he
could not but conclude it was o clear case of
accident. That there was no intention
shown, and defendant should be discharged.
He was then discharged.
Last evening MIR. Meeker generously for
warded check of $3.50 to Judge O'Gormsn
to defray the expenses of the funeral. The
check was turned over to the family last
night. 1t is understood that some provision
will also be made for the support of the
boys mother.
Products of Ramsey County.
The county auditor has completed his