Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-12-13
SHOT BY HIS FRIEND.
BLACKWELL THOUGHT THE PISTOL
EMPTY AND SNAPPED IT At NsIsz.
Took Effect, Producing Death In
Less Than an Hour.

Willie l.. Nelsz. aged i6. was shot late
yesterday afternoon by James Blackwell,
who is but three years older. and died
in less than an hour from the effects OF
the wound.
The shooting occurred on Brook avenue
near Baker street, and was done. as Is
so often the case with a pistol that was
believed to be empty. The youths were
good friends. and there seems to be
no doubt that the tragedy. which has
plunged two families into the deepest
glocm, was purely accidental.
Coroner Taylor was notified soon after
Neisz died, and, after making an ex-
animation OF the body. turned II over
to the relatives of the deceased. He will
hold an inquest this morning.
HOW 1T HAPPENED.
James Blackwell. the boy that did the
shooting, was seen at the Third Station
by a Dispatch reporter and told an
honest. straightforward story Of the ac-
cident He said that about month
ago a friend of his, Bill Wagner, gave
him a pistol and told him TO try ald
sell Ii. the price for the weapon being
fixed at $l.2j. 1t was self-cocking. 81
calibre. seven-shooter. He stated that he
worked half OF yesterday, and as he
had nothing to do in the afternoon he
took the revolver, and went out into
field beyond the branch to try II, and
when he returned to the city hc was
under the impression that all CT the
cartridges had been discharged.
Upon arriving at the store of Victor
fpc 81 af
the branch. he was asked by the store
keeper to assist him in giving some
medicine 70 a sick hog. He put the pistol
on a shelf In the store. assisted Mr.
Floyd In his veterinary work. and then
went home to his supper, leaving the
pistol in Floyd's store.
SNAPPED THE PISTOL.
He did not remember the weapon until
little after s o'clock. and then went for
1t. Going out into the street. he met boy
by the name OF Keller. and he snapped
the pistol at him. thinking it was not
loaded. He did this several times, when
Willie Nelsz appeared on the scene, and
he snapped ii at him also. The second
time he pulled the trigger at Willie, the
pistol exploded, the bail taking effect in
the boys right breast.
Blackwell says that the report of the
pistol going off so frightened him that
he did not know what to do. but he went
| home, and threw the pistol behind a
| trunk. where 1t was found later In the
| evening by a policeman. He then came
! out of his house. and. as he did so. a
| brother of deceased took hold OF him.
! and brought him to the station. He says
| he was on the most friendly terms with
| the Neisz boy, and appeared To be very
| sorry about the accident. He Is a son OF
James F. Blackwell and works at the
! blueing factory. on Twelfth street, be
| tween Cary and Canal.
WHAT THE BROTHER SAYS.
Charles Nesz. an elder brother Of tbs
! boy that was shot. was also seen by th'
! Dispatch man. He says he left his hom'
about 6:20 o'clock to go 10 his work
/ when his attention was called to large
crowd near Baker street, on the avenue
He hastened to the scene, and. pushing
through the crowd, found his iitti'
I brother lying upon the ground In dying
! condition. lie assisted him to sittin'
! position, and asked how the shooting oc
Cured. He was told that James Blackwell
shot him. but he did not know why.
The wounded boy was removed 70 tn
home of Mr. James T.. Gates, and physi
clans were 'phoned for. The ambulanc
doctor was the first to arrive, and Dr
Worthington did all he could for IN
little sufferer. but ne only spoke = fe'
words, and died In about forty-fiv
minutes. DR. Blanton arrived shortly afte
the boy died.
DID NOT SEE IT.
| Philip NeisZ. another brother Of deceas
cd says he heard about the shooting ii
| few moments after II occurred. an
| FASTENED TO the spot He was told tina
the Blackwell boy did II. and he wen
at once to look for him. Says he foun'
him coming out OF his front gate, and a
once took hold of him and took him 4
the station. on his way 10 the prisoi
ne was intercepted by the boys father
who attempted to take him away. He
however. did not give up the boy, bu
struck his father and the latter mad
no further resistance. The blow brok
Neisz's little finger.
Both Of the Neisz brothers affirm tina
they did not know OF any difficulty be
tween the boys. and seemed to regard tn
matter an an unfortunate accident Th
Nelsz family live at iQl west Baker street