Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1901-11-19
ACCIDENTAL SHOOTING.
NEWTON CUMMINGS OF PARIS HILL sERI-
OUsLY INJURED, BUT HAS A CHANCE
FOR RECOVERY.

There was very unfortunate shooting
accident in Paris on the afternoon o
Monday, Nov. IL. Newton Cumming
and Thomas Ratcliff of Paris Hill, boy
about Is years of age, were partridge
hunting together. About 4 o'clock they
were in what is known as the packard
Lot" half or three-quarters OF milt
east of the village. The boys had free
at and secured partridge in the bushes
by the brook, and as there were thought
to be more birds there, had Immediately
reloaded. The Ratcliff boy had just put
in shell and cooked his gun, when II
was in some way discharged, quite
portion of the charge striking the Cum
mings boy in the back.
According to the Ratcliff boys esti-
mate, he was about four rods In the
rear at the time, but later measurements
showed the distance to be about AZ feet.
The charge struck the Cummings boy
in diagonal direction, and about sixty
of the shot, which was No. 4, entered
the middle and left side of the back,
scattering over space as large as the
top of a common water pail, IN the
region of the kidneys and above.
The boy dropped when shot and was
entirely helpless, having no use OF MS
legs. The Ratcliff boy made pillow OF
his coat, and covered him up with what
other clothing he could spare, and got to
the village as quickly as possible. A
team was procured, and the injured boy
was taken home and DR.. Littlefield was
called. Later DR.. Bradbury was called
in consultation. The shot had pene-
trated coat, sweater and two shirts,
and had gone so deep that only few OF
them could be removed, but all that was
possible was done for his comfort. The
stock of his gun, which he was carrying
in his left hand at the time of the acct
dent, was spoiled by the shot which
struck it.
The physicians for the first few days
gave very little encouragement to hope
for the boys recovery, and frankly
stated to some parties that they did not
expect him to live. Nevertheless his
youth and vigorous constitution seem to
be manifesting themselves, and he is still
living and in many respects improved.
His organs are again performing some
thing like their normal service. 1t was
not until Saturday that he was able to
make any movement of his left leg, but
he is beginning to have little use OF
that, and there is at least reason for
hope that he will recover, and with
out any serious permanent injury. he
is by no means out of danger yet, but
will be if the improvement continues as
rapidly for the next three or four days
as it has for the past few.
A great deal of sympathy has been
shown for the injured boy, and for his
parents, Mr.. and Mrs. Wallace Il. Cum
mings, and earnest inquiries as to his
progress have been made by almost
every one at every opportunity. Newton,
who lacks few weeks of being 10, was
before this accident bright boy, always
the picture OF perfect
health and the embodiment OF restless
energy, and, to quote the time-worn ex-
s'as full of the devil as an egg
s of meat"
Much sympathy is also felt for the
Ratcliff boy, as the affair was purely an
accident. He felt terribly about the
natter, and declared that if Newton
lied he would shoot himself, but that
mood has probably passed by this time.
1t has been learned since the accident
hat the gun which did the work is 80
light on the trigger as to make it really
Unsafe, and that this is not the first time
t has been accidentally discharged,
hough it has never before caused seri-
rus consequences.