The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-09-06
Special to the Scranton Tribune.

MoNTRosE, Pa. Sept. 8.
m URING the sham battle at the
H second days reunion and en-.
H campment of the Susquehanna
" county veterans at this place,
William w. Hardy. of Glenwood, q
brother of Colonel D. W. Hardy, Of
the same place, was seriously injured
by premature dischargeof cannon.
His face, neck and arms were severely
burned and he will lose the sight of at
least one eye. The accident happened
late in the afternoon, put created such
excitement as to terminate the days
programme, excepting the tin wed.
ding of the Four Brothers post. OF
Montrose, in the evening.
Fort Defiance occupied by old SOL
diers and covered by skirmisb line of
Sons of Veterans. was located at the
top of ledge Of rocks within the
ground of the Susquehanna county
Agricultural society where the en-
campmsnt ia being held. Company q,
of the Thirteenth regiment was storm
ing the'position from the grove beneath.
When portion Of the national guards.
men performed flank movement and
came charging up narrow pathway.
Enoch Lord, OF Hopbottom, one Of the
gunners, showed a cartridge into the
muzzle Of the piece before it had been
swabbed with water. William Dennis,
of Montrose, an experienced artillery
man, had his thumb upon the vent but
was thrust aside in the confusion Of
the charge and discharge was caused
by the sparks inside at the moment
Hardy was ramming the load. All
that saved his upper body from CON-
plste severmont was his proximity to
the cannon and a sidewise position.
The load glanced across his chest and
face, hurling him several feet and
sent the ranrod flying into splinters
rods away.
WILL LOSE AN EYE
After being treated in the adjutant
generals quarters by Drs. Brundage
and Gardner. OF Factoryville and Mon
trose, Hardy was removed to the home
of Qnartermaster Sergeant Charles
Watrous. Both physicians told THE
TRIBUNE reporter that the injured man
would lose the sight Of his right eye
and that the sight OF the other may be
ruined.
Enoah Lord, who so carelessly placed
the cartridge within the gun before the
piece was swabbed was intoxicated at
the time, but, according to bystanders.
was sober enough to realize his error
and make an attempt to keep Hardy
from the muzzle of the piece. The ac-
cident was witnessed by about $500
persons aud created intense excitement
The executive staff is released from
blame from the fact that they selected
only Hardy, Dennis and Michael
Mooney. all experienced artillerymen,
to handle the cannon. Hardy was in
command of the gunners and must have
known of Lords inebriated condition.
This is the third accident Of the kind
in this borough. In 1857 a man named
Titus was killed and his brother had
an arm blown off by cannon. About
twelve years ago during an encamp-
ment a private belonging to Captain
Ben Stark's Wilkes Barre company of
national guardsmen received blank
charge in the face at less that five
PAGES.
A FLAG PRESENTATION.
Today was particularly devoted to
the doings of Susquehanna county vet
Grams. although many members OF the
One Hundred and Forty-third, whose
reunion was held yesterday, were pres
ent. The morning was occupied with
greetings and socability. The gather
ing of the afternoon was addressed by
Colonel @. K. Campbell. Of Pittston
the speaker of the day. and Captain N.
J. hawley, of Company F, One Hun
dred and Forty first regiment. The
citizens of Montrose, through Justice
j. B. McCollum, of the Pennsyl'
vania supreme court. presented Four
Brothers post with a handsome
silk flag. Acknowledgment of the
gift was made by Captain H. F.
Beardsley. commander Of the post and
general commanding Of the veterans
organization. An exhibition drill by
Company G., Thirteenth regiment Ma
tional Guard of Pennsylvania, brought
the programme to the sham battle
mentioned above.
At 7.30 o'clock this evening thu
camp fire of the local post was Lighted
and festivities incident to the tin wed
ding begun. Impromptu speeches
band music, songs, the banjo club an(
wartime rations occupied the severa
hours of informal fraternizing and en-
joyment.
The business meeting Of the Susque-
hanna county veterans will be held to-
morrow morning. and the meridian
gun will be the signal for striking
tents.