Evening star., 1900-08-01
A VICTIM OF ACCIDENT
ERMAN HOwARTH FATALLY WOUND
ED BY HIS COUSIN.
Bullet Penetrates the boys Throat
Death Ensues Shortly After
Shot Was Fired.

Erman Howarth, ten years of age, whose
parents reside on F street southwest be-
| tween 9th and Ith streets. was shot and IA
tally wounded at 3 o'clock last evening with
a revolver in the hands of his cousin, We'll
ford Payne, lad of about the same age, at
Oxon Hill. Prince Georges county, Md,
not far from the line separating the Dis
trict and Maryland. The shot was fired ac-
cidentally. The wounded boy lived but a
short time after being struck by the pistol
bullet
The scene of the shooting was in up
stairs bed room at the residence of Mr.. j.
d. Payne. ex-constable for the Oxon Hill
district, Maryland. Wexford, Erman and a
companion named benjamin Pyle who is
eleven years old. assembled for play in the
upstairs room of Mr.. and Mrs. Payne's res
idence shortly before o'clock. Wexford
had Just returned from market in town.
and all three lads were anxious to indulge
in the usual games. Erman and his mother,
Mrs. John Howarth. had been visitors at
the Payne residence for a week. and the
Pyle boy. whose mother lives On Az street
southwest. had also been enjoying the sum-
mer vacation in the country at the same
house.
but a short time Wexford picked up his
fathers revolver. which was lying in plain
view on bureau in the apartment. Mr..
Payne had placed the weapon there last
Sunday night 1t is of the Smith & Wesson
make. of thirty-eight caliber. a self-acting
hve-shot revolver. and when Mr.. Payne put
IT on the bureau it contained one unex-
ploded cartridge. The cylinder of the
weapon was turned in such manner that
this cartridge was covered by the hammer
When the lad. therefore, picked up the
weapon and looked at it the cylinder an
peared to be empty
ReGan Swapping the Revolver.
The boy, according to the story of the
ef.,iy t@NJ
began TO pull the trigger Four times he
snapped it and many times the hammer
fell upon an empty chamber of the cylinder
The fifth time the cartridge in the weapon
was exploded. The boys were at the time
grouped rather close together. The bullet
passed dangerously close to the Pyle boy s
head. srazed the right shoulder of Erman
as it flew upward, and then struck the boy
In the throat, passing completely through
in the region of the windpipe. The victim
throat was burned by the powder from the
cartridge, showing the close range at which
the shot was fired.
After being wounded Erman was able 10
run down the stairs and out in the yard
and from there a distance of about 800
yards farther to the house of Mrs Eliza
beth Payne, the mother of Mr.. Payne. lie
was barely able to gasp to his mother that
Wexford had shot him while swapping the
trigger of the revolver. Within a few mo-
ments afterward he expired. In the mean
lIIllt w tIIOIu. almost overcome at Inc
realization that he had inflicted a danger
Gus wound upon his cousin, ran to where a
horse was standing close to the house, and,
mounting the animal, rode hurriedly to the
house of DR.. Simpson at Oxon HILL A mes
senger was also dispatched for Dr. j. A.
Watson at Anacostia, but Erman died be-
fore medical aid reached him.
The Father Notified.
The sad duty of notifying the dead boys
father, Mr.. John Howarth, of the unfor-
tunate occurrence devolved upon Mr..
Payne. who drove to the city soon after
Ermans death for the purpose. Mr. and
Mrs. Payne are much affected by the tragic
affair. This morning, 1t was stated Magis-
trate Wright of Oxon Hill was making ar
rangements to hold an inquest some time
today. There no doubt that a verdict
of accidental death would be reached.
The remains Of the dead lad were laid
out this morning at the Payne residence by
an undertaken. The funeral will probably
be held Friday. 1t was stated this morning,
and the interment will be made in the GEM
etery of the ST. Barnabas' Protestant Epis-
copal Church. in Prince Georges county.
Md. The father of the dead lad is employed
II. and o. Weekend Scashore Excur-
sions all season. Tickets good going on all
trains Fridays and Saturdays; valid for
return until Tuesday following. IS for the
round trip to Atlantic City, Cape May,
Ocean City and Sea Isle City.-Advt.