Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-08-03
MAINE DISPATCHES,
THE BRAY SHOOTING.
Latest Developments in the New Port.
land fair.

NEW PORTLAND, Aug. 2.
report of the shooting of Miles S. Bray.
son OF Charles Bray Of New Portland. on
July II, was published Since then the affair
has been carefully investigated, and some
thing near correct account of the unfortu-
nate occurrence can now be given.
Chas Bray, the father of the boy shot, is
farmer living about one mile from West
New Portland village. His eldest child Miles
was pretty child three years and three
months old.
During the baying season Linwood Kersh-
ney, boy about nine years old and a cousin
OF Miles, had been employed by Mr.. Bray to
do chores and errands
Monday, after supper, the day of the shoot
ing Mrs. Bray sent the Kershney boy out to
the granary to get some beans Her little
boy Miles asked to go with him and was al
lowed to do so on condition he would not 90
up the ladder. The granary was over a work
room and was reached by ladder. After
they had been gone short time Mrs Bray
heard the report of gun and, going out,
found Miles lying just outside the workshop
door, shot through the breast
The story told by the Kershney boy at the
time, was that while going up the ladder to
get the beans, he saw Miles pick up gun
which stood behind the door, and that as he
went to take it from him, he threw it down,
when it went off, shooting him and blowing
him out of the door. After the occurrence
the Kershney boy went away and was not
found until late in the evening. An exami-
nation of the premises showed that it was
almost impossible for the boy to shoot him.
self. The charge went almost straight
through the center of the body, after which
it struck the half opeEed door, and then
glanced off. 1t seemed evident that the boy
could not have held the gun and shot himself
in the manner described. A few days ago
the Hershey boy was again questioned, and
now tells what is regarded by many as a
more reasonable story as to the manner of
the shooting.
He now says: Il got half way up the lad
the Bray boy had taken up the gun. told
him to lay it down or he would get hurt. He
did not do so. l went down and he dropped
the gun. | caught it before it struck the
floor. Miles stepped out and stood on an OK
yoke that lay just outside the door. He
turned around facing me. l cooked the gun
with my hand and raising it up to my side
with it pointing out of the door, pulled the
trigger. did not think it was loaded. | did
not mean shoot him. | said something to
Miles before | fired, but don't remember
what. was frightened when saw him fall.
| threw the gun down and went off. | am
very sorry"
Which of the stories is true is matter of con-
lecture, as the boys were alone at the time,
The boy says that be has now told it as it
occurred. If the last story is correct the first
was told for fear of punishment if he told the
truth. He feels very bad about the matter
now.
He undoubtedly has but little idea of gun
or the danger of handling one. The Bray
b " had been taught to let the gun alone, and
had always done so previous to this. Which
one of the boys took the gun first is an open
question.