The Wichita daily eagle., 1894-10-28
SHOT AND KILLED
EARL R0YSE MEETS WITH AN AC-
CIDENTAL DEATH.
Sheriff Royse, His Father. Sends Hin
After a Revolver and While Re
turning He Slipped and Fell Down
Stairs. Causing Discharge Of the
Weapon and Almost Instant Death

Papa. pick me up, am shotr' were
the last words uttered by little Earl, the
l0year-old son of Sheriff Royse at the
county Jail last night. The father picked
up the little boy, and in four minutes the
soul of little Earl had taken its fight,
while distracted father and mother wept
over the little body.
Sheriff Royse and family had Just fin
ished supper and Mr.. Royse was making
preparations to take George Elliott, "a
prisoner, TO the penltentiary. His pistols
were up stairs on the bureau and he start
I'd to get them. Little Earl spoke up
cheerfuily saying, "papa, let me get them
for you." The nimble feet skipped lightly
up the stairs and soon reappeared at the
top with toe weapons in his hands. A
bright smile was on his face as he de-
scended the stairs. When within four
steps of the bottom his foot caught and
he was thrown headlong to the bottom
The hammer of the pistol struck on the
bottom stair and the weapon was dis
charged The bali entered the left side at
the fifth rib and ranging upward passed
through the heart, making Its exist at the
point of the shoulder blade.
The child spoke but one sentence and
thcs- words will ring through the life Of
Sheriff Royse-"Papa, pick me up; / am
ShOti' he mother was S anding near MIR
ROY Sc at The time of the accident and
hearing the shot her mothers Instinct told
her that her first born was fatally wound
ed and In attempting TO reach his side her
loving eyes bebolding the llfeblood of her
darling size sunk in swoon.
The child WAS carried to the room,
where but few seconds before lie had left
ne. fan "a
lounge. Messengers Were sent for med cal
aid and in a few minutes DrS. Allen, Old
ham and Fabrlque We're at the side of the
wounded child. but Dr. Allen was he only
one who arrived before the spirit had taken
its flight to the God who gave it.
The fat her had withstood the trying
ordeal as long rs he cOuld be of assistance
TO his beloved child but when be saw that
life WAS gone he was completely overcome
and had TO be assisted 10 his room. a
sadder family could not have been seen
than this one, who but a few minutes be-
fore was one of the happiest and most CON-
tented iu The city.
When an EAGLE reporter visited the
scene of the teri ible accident, the room
was filled with kind friends who were will
ling to lend every assistance, but there
was not dry eye among the number, and
the plalntiful moan of the stricken faI her
and the heart-rending sighs of loving
JlOi utT Cpulu De ntdTu lIon luelr TOOuS.
Earl Royse was ten years old, and a
bright, active boy who was the idol of he
family and the pet of the household. He
was well known at the court house. and
was boy far beyond his years in intelii-
gence. He could be trusted to perform
eny business within his strength and his
teacher predicted that he would grow 10
be an honor TO his father and mother. He
WIS never happier than when performing
some act of love for his parents. and ap-
peared to always appreciate their wants
ana was ever ready TO perform some er-
rand for them.
During the meal Sheriff Royse told the
family that be would be compelled 10
20 10 the peniientiary that night with
prisoner. Ms. Hny>e suggested that
Mr.. Simmons, the deputy, be sent on the
trip and that the father should remain,
this was Saturday evening. The sheriff
stated that this would be impossible AS
Mr.. Simmons would have to 20 the Ossa-
walomle. and he would he compelled to go
to Lansing. That it was necessary f"r
him TO 90 down town aud attend to some
business matters, and he wished he had his
pistol, rs he was on the lookout for some
parties. The meal was finished, when the
ekeriff stopped TO kiss the two smaller
children as he thought they might be
asleep when he should return, and turn
ing 10 Earl, said: 'Etrl. j want you TO see
That everything l. promptly attended to
while>I III eoue." The child replied: 81
will papa, and / will go and get your guu
for you" The family followed the boy to
The hallway, when in less than two min
utes, this happy househ held was one of
mourning. and the lifeless body of the
child. by whom they had laid such ST ore,
WAS ali that was left TO the heartbroken
father and mother and the weeping brother
and sisters.
No definite arrangements l. ad been made
for the funeral at the time of going to
nrPSS-