Evening journal., 1898-10-13
SPORTS FATAL ENDING
While Out Cunning Lad Drops
the Gun With Fatal Results.
his BROTHER KILLED INSTANTLY

! THE WEAPON, WHICH IcX-
PLODED UPON STRIKING THE
GRoUND-A SAID ENDING TO A
YOUNG LIFE.
As result of days cunning, FL
wood Paul Moore, aged 8 years, lies
dead in the home of his father, Will
liam H. Moore, and his 13-year-old
brother. William, occupies a cot in the
Delaware Hospital with a shattered
arm.
Yesterday afternoon the two Moore
lads, who live near the Hazel Dell race
track, in company with Frank, their z
year-old brother Charles Garland and
Clarence Jones, of South Wilmington,
started out on a cunning trip. The
Moore boys procured their fathers dou-
. ble-barrelled shotgun, which was load
} ed with bird shot.
They tramped about the marsh in
J the vicinity of Eden Park for some
time, and Frank succeeded in bringing
3 down a lark. Not finding game very
2 plentiful, they went toward the creek |
= to shoot rail birds, but met with little
3 success. After spending more time
r along the creek they started home, and
on the way began discussing the merits
Of the gun.
When about three squares away from
their home it was proposed that they
z find out how far the shot would scat
+ ter. William said to his brother:
Frank, you shoot the gun and see
r. how far the shot will scatter" The
boys gathered about the small gun
n ner, and he shot at the door OF a freight
I car, which was standing about 100 feet
! away. When the smoke had cleared
M away Elwood ran to the car and
X stretched out his arms to show the
"a boys how far the shot had scattered.
et Frank said, LET me see" and drop
n ped the gun on the track.
A. THE WEAPON EXPDODES.
nt The gun was cooked and it is sup
or posed that when it fell the hammer
rt struck the rail, causing 1t to drop and
n explode the weapon. William, who was
,s standing on a freight car at the time,
Nv lfell to the ground, crying 81 am shot"
He ran toward his home, and his COM
au panions were so badly frightened that
np they did not think of the other bro
% ther. and followed William into the
nd house.
A John A. Downs, employed at th'
Southwark factory Of G. & ]. Pyle Com
pany. saw the boys running and heard
them crying. Hearing the report OF The
am gun, he thought something was WRONG
ng and hurried TO the scene after the boys
81 had run into the house There he fount
eet Elwood lying on the railroad tracl
st dead. The boy must have been verl
nat close to the gun, as the shot which rid
la died his heart covered a space about a
IAN large as a hand. He died instantly.
aks The dead boy was lifted tenderi.
rho and carried into the house, where tn
hat scene was heartrending. The mothe
in- was wild with grief. In one room tn
,ng dead body Of the boy lay. In anothe
YES room the six other children, rangin
are from a baby, unable to walk, to almo'
nd; grown children, were gathered. The
rd: all were huddled around their mothe
ght The father arrived shortly aft'
ers. and. hitching up a horse, drove n
mn wounded son to Wilmington and toe
alf- him to the Delaware Hospital an
upon examination by Dr. McColley
was found that the load had enter'
the left arm, shattering it badly.
fled After consultation it was decided tn
are the injured member would have 10
the taken off, and it was accordingly ar
k in putated above the elbow.
t at Deputy Coroner Chandler was mol
eal- fed and at once proceeded to the hou;
, be Policemen Murphy and Mclaughlin
This companied by Detective Witsil we
king also on the scene, and to them lit
d of Frank, who knew most about the fax
time OF the shooting, told the story OF
wing said affair.
stion While he was telling the story OF
Is of shooting, his mother, who was hcldi
shed the baby in her arms, tainted. j.
rater older children rushed to her aid,
she was revived after several minut
The Grant,and and Jones boys, "
are about the same age as their co
from panions, tell the same story as Fra
rauy' Moore.
man. 1t was said that the boys frequen
from used the gun, and were remarka
S6.oo' good shots for ones so young.
i'm to The accident is one Of the sadd
Chi that has occurred in that vicinity fc
rrest- long time, and much sympathy is
Ilroad pressed for the bereaved family.
When Coroner Chandler to-day issued
j left tihcate Of accidental death, and Ii
rents. Elwood will be buried tomorrow al
noon at New Cathedral Cemetery.
as ar A SLIPPER