The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1881-08-13
A Boy shoots n Baby.
A DELIBERATE AFFAIR, BUT He NOW SAYS He
THOUGHT THE PISTOL WAS UNLOADED.
fFrom the jamestown Journal

A DELIBERATE AFFAIR, BUT He NOW SAYS He
THOUGHT THE PISTOL WAS UNLOADED.
from the jamestown Journal
On Wednesday, July 9th, there occurred
| in the town OF EIery a somewhat tragic
occurrence in the shooting OF fourteen
months old baby Of Elihu S. Briggs by Syl-
vester LIE Voice, a boy Of eleven years Of
age. Awaiting the result Of the shooting,
and in view OF other circumstances, the ar
rest has been delayed until yesterday, when
the boy was taken in charge by Officer jeff.
Il. Moon and brought TO Jamestown. The
circumstances OF the shooting are briefly as
follows: The baby was sitting on the
Aeor OF the sitting-rOom between the
pantry and front doors. The boy lie Voice
entered the house, went directly TO the
pantry, came out with a revolver, held II at
distance OF about six inches from the in
lSants head, and fired. The ball penetrated
! the forehead above the left eye, passing
1 through to place behind and a little below
the left ear, where 1t now lies flattened
against the skull. Immediately after the
shooting the boy dropped The pistol and
/ ran home TO bis mother, telling her what he
HAD done. DR.. Warehouse attended the
wounded child, who is sufficiently recOy-
cred to be brought to town to-day.
Sylvester lie Voice, the boy who did the
shooting, is Of French-Canadian descent.
His father, Charles lie Voice, aud hi,
mother have been tenants OF Mr.. Briggs
for about four months. They have been
itinerant show people, but evidently not
very successful, aud at present are retired
frem the business. The father is about
sixty years of age, the Rlother GOrty. An
uncle OF the arrested boy, Peter lie Voice,
at aide
can side, aud is considered to be a man OF
some wealth and of good standing in the
community. The boy has light hair and
blue eyes and countenaace not unpre-
possessing, save for look OF shrewd.
ness and age not usually found in
one so young. While telling his story,
in perfectly frank aud apparently innocent
way, he displayed no brayado-simply un-
concerRed. He claims that the shooting
was accidental, as he believed the pistol
vas unioaded. but appears TO express no
regret for the deed. His manner and con.
ve{sstiOn are those OF person much older
than he, aud in many ways he seems intel
lgent beyond his years. OF sensational
literature OF the dime-noVel sort ne dis
claimed any knowledge. He said his father
took papeEs, and the only book his mother
had was 9 Eible. From those who live
in the vicinity it is learned that the
boy is koWn in the neighborhood as
being generally "bad," and up TO all
sorts OF nischief. 1t is asserted that IN
revenge for a faneied injury he had threat
ened 60 burn neighbours barn, and was
only deferred from the act because unable
10 obtain the assistance OF another boy In
the work. He is said to take delight in
physical suffering, and TO be "crazy" TO
get hold OF gun or pistol. The charge OF
attempt TO kill has been Withdrawn, and
he boy Is now on trial before Justice
Yates for assault. II found guilty he will
be sent TO reformatory school. IL Is re-