Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1901-04-20
TRAGEDY IN THE PINE HILLS.
Ntne-Year-oll william Myers shot and
Kiiled by His Cousin, Harry Henry
Pathetic Tragedy Near Town
S.s..rHay Affernoon
saturday Afternoon

Myers, lies in freshly made grave
and bis cousin, Harry Henry the four-
teen-year old son OF Mr.. Charles Hens
nv, will have the word homicide ring
ing il his cars al through lie.
The scene Of the fatal occurrence
was at the home Of Mr.. Henry, about
three miles southeast Of town, The
parents 81 both fhe youthful parties
to the tragedy were away from their
homes, which are within stone s
throw Of each other al the time the
shooting took place.
Early in the afternoon young Myers
aud his younger brother went TO the
Henry home and began playing with
young Henry III the yard. II appears
that Young Henry, who is a lad Of
peculiar disposition, soon tired Of the
company Of his cousins and, ordered
them away from the premises. Upon
their refusal TO 90 be entered the
house and soon appeared with dou-
BILE barrel shot gun one barrel Of
which WAS loaded and the other bar
rel he loaded himself with an old shell
which he found in the house.
The lad was evidently bent upon
frightening his plavmates and he
began ordering them around at the
point of the gun. One of the boys
ran around the house and the other
one was going away from him, when
one of the barrels was discharged the
load entering the right side of his
back and going clear through his
body He died almost instantly. 1t
is claimed that the trigger on the
ide of the barrel which exploded was
broken and TINT while the boy was
fumbling with it the load was dis
charged
When young Henry realized what
he had done he went into the house
and was found in the act of taking his
own life with the other load in the
gun, nut was prevented from doing
so by Daniel Miller, a neighbor, who
arrived just in time 10 prevent don-
BILE tragedy. Mr. Miller arrived at
the house about five minutes after
the shooting occurred and carried the
dead body of the boy, who had died
almost instantly, into the honse. 1t
was afterward moved TO his home.
A pathetic incident connected with
the tragedy was that Mr.. and Mrs.
Myers were in town buying clothing,
shoes and almost whole new outfit
for their boy, whom they had no idea
had been killed. When the distress
ing news was told to them they were
grief stricken.
As soon ms the news was verified the
boy S new summer suit was exchanged
for a black suit in which to bury his
dead body. Another sad circumstance
connected with the tragedy is the fact
that this is the third child Mr.. and
Mes. Myers have lost this year, two
their children having died of tie
easles about month ago. Only one
child, the youngest of the family, is
now left
Soon after the news of the shooting
reached town Prosecuting Attorney
Pitzer had Justice Martin issue
warrant for the arrest of young Hen
ry, which was placed in the hands
of Constable Riordon, who immedi-
ately started for the scene When Mr..
Riordon arrived at the Henry home
he found Mrs. Hnery in tears and the
boy lying on the floor almost frantic.
The parents of the dead boy who are
also grief stricken, believe that the
shooting was accidental and they
pleaded with the otfic for the re-
lease of young Henry.
After the warrant was served he
returned to town. The boy was
brought to town Sunday morning and
taken before Justice Martin, who,
after consulting with the Prosecuting
Attorney, released him long enough
to attend the funeral of the youth
whom he had killed The parents as
sumed the responsibility for his APP
pearance,
Officer Riordon started out for the
scene again Monday morning TO in
yestipate tn affray in full and to Sc
cure evidel c. but he was comnelled to
turn back on account of the high
water in the OTequon. which was
impossible to cross, either 10y bridge
or by ford.
II was intended that the funeral
would Ike place Monday morni 1gl but
was also delayed on account of The
high water, Undertaken When not
being able to get to the house with a
coffin. The coffin was taken to Van
clevesyille on the noon accommoda-
tion train from which place it was
taken to the Henry home by car
riage The funeral, which took place
this afternoon was an unuSuallV sad