Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1902-10-31
SHOT BY HIS BROTHER
Clifford Johnson, 10, Killed at
South Londonderry.
Melvin, is, Who Fired the Shot Early
Sunday Morning, Fled, but was'
Found in anchester-Authoritie
Decided Shooting was Accidental.

ct didn't do 1t a purpose
Clifford johnson 49, was shot through
the head and killed by revolver IN the
hand of his brother. Melvin Johnson 10.
at the family home ~ mile north OF
South Londonderry last Sunday morning.
And the only explanation which the boy
who did the shooting can give Is CON
taIned in substance in the words quoted.
If was an awful affair, which has
,,lunped a happy family into deepest
grief and shocked the people of the town
and there are circumstances whlch MAKE
IT peculiar even among the record OF
tragedies arising from the combination
of a boy and revolver.
Those who know most about the shoot
ing are agreed that it was accidental' put
n Is exceedingly unfortunate that the
how who did the shooting, should nave
Gu acted in his fright as to create sus-
nicion that a crime was committed
The tragedy took place ABOUT o'oo
o'clock Sunday morning. The father,
John r. Johnson, who had heen uolns
work Mt the barn hitched up the horse
and called to Melvin. the older boy, to
drive with the team to carry cream 10
Che creamery The lad. who slept with
his brother i'm a chamber on the
second floor of the house. responded.
Melvin's story in substance is rs fol-
lows: lie arose and dressed and spoke to
Clifford about getting up. The latter
remained in bed however and Melvin,
In q bov's way known as "fooling,'
told him that If he did not get up he
would shoot him and picked up the re-
volver. aimed it at his brother with the
intention of swapping the hammer on an
emntv chamber, but to his horror the re-
volver was discharged close to Clifford $
head the bullet passing completely
Alx-it INN cd I
feet. from the window to the ground and
fed frightened. thinking he would be
accused of murder and that he must get
away He took the revolver with him
but carried it only a short distance
Mrs Johnson. the mother, says she
heard no shot fired, but that she thought
a noise was made upstairs as of some
thing falling. A little later-probably
not more than five minutes-while In
the room directly under the one in which
the boys slept. she heard something
which sounded like person breathing In
distress. She went upstairs to the boys
room and was Mortified to see Clifford
writing on the bed, covered with blood
She went downstairs. called the father
and FASTENED upstairs with a basin OF
water and a cloth. She SAYS that when
she first entered the room she thought
Clifford was suffering from hemorrha ge
as had been the case once before, but
when she came back 10 give MN ASSIST
ance she saw the bullet wound in his
head.
Mr. Johnson FASTENED with his team
to the houses of neighbors and Henry
Collins drove to South Londonderry vii
lage to summon DIR. r. F. Wilmington
The boy was dead when the doctor ar
rived at the house.
Mrs. Johnson says she is confident that
when she first entered the room her sor
knew her and that he tried to speak
Blood was gushing from his nose. mouth
ears and from he hole in his head, and
he sank rapidly. and by the time hi:
father reached the room his eyes were
in deadly stare He had probably beer
dead about ten minutes when DR.. Milling
ton arrived.
The bullet struck back of the RICH
temple, passing completely through thu
head, making a hole as large as a man!
finger.