Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1896-11-25
accidentally killed.
A DeplOrable Accident in This County
Monday Afternoon,
Which Resulted in the Death Of
George Balzer, Early Yesterday
Morning - The Accidental Dis
charge of a Shot Gun the Cause
Of Death.

Yesterday morning about five o'clock
George Balzer, a well known young man,
aged 30. who lived on South Market street,
between Thirty-third and Thirtyfourth,
died at the home of Andrew McCOnley, on
the Stone Church road, over four
miles east of Elm Grove, from the effects
of a gunstot wound received accidentally
the previous afternoon about four o'clock.
The accident was most unfortunate
and deplorable one. Rumors of it reached
the city Monday night, but no names were
given. and it was impossible to verify the
report. Yesterday it was learned that
Monday Balzer Frank AIbinger, William
Menkemeller and Ed. Mack were out on i
hunting expedition in that portion Of the
county east of Elm Grove and at the time
of the accident were on the Andrew Hal
stead farm. about four miles from the
Grove. The men had stopped at a stump
in a wheat field. on sloping ground, and
fell to discussing the plans for the rest
of the day. Albinger sat down on the
stump, while Balzer was standing on the
down hill side. Albinger leaned his gun
against the stump, and Balzer handed his
gun TO Albinger, who placed it alongside
his own. After talking for ten or fifteen
minutes as to whether or not they would
continue the hunt, Menkemeller pulled
out his watch and said it was four o'clock
and suggested that the further hunting be
dispensed with. Balzer, who was a few
feet from the stump, on the down hill
side, reached for his gun, but was little
too far away, and in his efforts to reach
it threw the other gun down 1t is
thought that the barrel of one of the guns
slid along the barrel of another gun until
il struck the hammer, when the gun was
discharged and the load struck Balzer in
the right breast, tearing terrible wound
in his side and badly decorating the right
lung. BalZer walked about fifteen yards
after he was shot. Then his companions
laid him on a pile of straw. Later they
carried the wounded man for some
distance towards the nearest house,
that of Andrew McConley but later
nc hd1 BlQNtN Va FAiN anu AllAn
transported the rest of the distance.
When the house was reached, Balzer
walked inside. A messenger was des-
patched to Elm Grove and Tria-
delphia for medical aid. Drs. Graz
craft and Shields responded and
dressed the wound. which had first been
dressed by Mr.. Menkemeller but it was
apparent from the first that death was
only a question of a short time. Late in
the night it was seen that Balzer was
sinking and Father Paquin. of the Elm
Grove Catholic mission. was sent for and
soon arrived. He administered the last
sacrament, and also took down the dying
mans will. as well as his testimony that
the shooting was the result of an acct
dent. About five o'clock yesterday morn
ing Balzer died. still surrounded by his
friends. who had been untiring i'm their
efforts in his behalf. After the accident
farmer went back and got the guns
and drew the charges. making il difficult
to say whose gun it was that went Off.
Balzer. i'm his statement just previous
to his death. declared that the accident
was unavoidable and that none of his
companions were in any way responsible.
The story started and printed i'm an even
ing paper to the effect that the gun was
I'm the hands of Frank Albnger when it
exploded. is without foundation. Balzer
showed the greatest fortitude during all
the time after the accident and until the
moment of his death. When he was be-
ing hauled to Mr.. McConey's house from
where the accident occurred. the only
complaint he made was that he was not
permitted TO walk. When the party ar
rived at McConley's house. about a mile
and a half distant. he insisted upon walk
ing. and walked into the house, only
supported on one side by Mr.. Menkemeller
He was conscious to the last moment.
Deceased had no relatives in this city,
his father and sister. who were at one
time in business on Main street i'm the mill
linery line, being dead. He was pos
sessed of considerable property. owning n
house and lot. in which he lived. on South
Market street and another i'm Martins
Ferry. BY the terms of his will, Mr.. Bal
ger left the South Market street property
to the congregation of the Church
of the Immaculate Conception, and
the Martins Ferry property to the
Little Sisters of the Poor. Twenty-Five
dollars was wiIed TO Mr.. McConley and
$50 TO Edward Mack. Nearly all his per-
sonal property was willed to Mrs. Bisener.
who lived next door to deceased, ON South
Market street. but a few items We're left
to other friends
The funeral will take place Thursday
morning.
Attention to familv sausage makers.