The record-union., 1894-07-07
INQUIRY INTO 0. 4. WINGS DEATH.
The Jury Finds the Shooting to Have
Been Accidental.
Testimony OF the Regimental Surgeon
shows that Pieces OF the Bullet
Struck Eight Persons.

Coroner Clark held an inquest on the
body OF O. III. Wing last night.
DR.. Huntington stated that he was
called to attend Mr.. Wing on July 4th,
and found perforated wound on the
right side of the lower abdomen. The
intestine was perforated in six different
places. There was considerable internal
hemorrhage. He attended 20 the wound
and found the bali imbedded in the me-
sentery. He thought the wound neces-
sary fatal. and the operation which was
performed was the means of prolonging
his life for some hours. Wing told him
that he heard the shot and felt the blow
and fell on his back. When he arose he
realized that he was wounded. He died
about twenty-six hours after the opera
ton.
Witness also attended soldier who was
wounded in both legs by the same shot.
Two wounds were trifling, but one was
quite large and fractured the bone OF the
left leg. The substance making it he was
unable to find.
II. q. Souie, Sr., testified TO hearing the
shot and feeling singing sensation IN
his chest and finoing that something had
passed through his vest and shirt, lnfiict-
ing a slight flesh wound.
II. G. Soule, Jr., testified that he heard
the shot. Mr.. Wing was standing beside
him, and doubled himself up with a
groan. Witness saw his father stagger
back and gave his attention to him, find-
ing he was wounded. The soldiers mad
some of them pointed their guns down
and loaded.
Major Smith of the Third Infantry ex
planned the mechanism OF the late issue
OF the Springfield rifle, which is used by
militia, and the method of loading. The
regulations provide that the muzzle be
held downward at an angle. in order that
in case of an accident the ball will enter
the earth. on rare occasions defective
cartridge is exploded in closing the
breech- block. Witness drew diagram
of the locality, and showed where he
stood at the time, and where Private Dun
nigan lay after being shot.
Nj. Walton testified that he arrived with
his company in this city on the morning
of the Fourth, and on his arrival at the
Armory was detailed for guard duty and
ordered to load. While doing so his gun
exploded and one of the soldiers fell.
His piece was pointed down toward the
ground. He had belonged to the COM
pany for two years, and had shot ten
rounds at each monthly shoot.
liz D.
stood by Walton when his gun went of,
and corroborated his testimony. He con-
sidered him careful man.
L. Rethers, the regimental surgeon, tes-
titled to attending Dunnigan after he was
wounded. He had two wounds in his leg.
Witness saw Wing whom he was brought
in. To-day one of the men of the regi.
ment came TO him and complained of q
wound In his leg. lie examined it and
[ l. f~or ant IF 10 h,tll lat
other one had also been hurt, and witness
found him also wounded. One of the Of
ficers was also found to-day to have q
wound in the knee, but witness was un-
able to find the piece of ball. Two others
of the regiment were struck by some
thing, but they were only bruised, There
were eight men altogether struck by
fragments.
Fred Kripp testified to being struck on
the chin by something which drew blood.
Wing stood near him, and he found
shortly afterward that he was wounded
and lying on the ground.
The jury found that Q. II. Wing came
to his death by gunshot wound, fired
by w. j. Walton accidentally, and such
accident was due to defective cartridge,
and we, the jury, attach no blame to w.
j. Walton.
Coroner Clark, after the verdict was
announced. handed to Walton the follow
ing letter:
July 6, 1894.
With saddened hearts we feel that to
you we would send a word of comfort,
knowing what your feelings must be
under this trying ordeal. and most sim
cerely hope your company will exonerate
you as fully and freely as we. We do not
censure you in the least. and feel satisfied
it was purely accidental. By req uest of
his wife and sister,
Mrs. 0. II. WING,
MRS. Il. +. PHILLIPS.
Walton has been much changed by the
sad accident ever since it occurred, being
no longer the light-hearted boy he was
when he came here, and he was much
affected by the letter.