Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1904-10-28
FATAL ACCIDENT
At FARM HOUSE.
Frank B. Jamison Shot and In.
stantIy Killed Nora Johnson.
CASE OF THE GUN
NOT BE|M6 LOADED.
Jury Rendered Verdict of no Evi
Iutent and Released Prisoner.

"Do not leave me alone tonight, for
if you do | shall certainly die OF re-
morse" said Frank Jamison, while be-
ing taken to the county jail at Ithaca
Saturday night by under sheriff But
ton.
The accidental discharge Of rife IN
his hands, which caused the instant
death of Miss Nora johnson has cast
cloud over this yo1ng man which will
not be cleared away as long "a be lives.
The affair happened Saturday after
noon at the farm home OF Floyd Nevins,
three and onc-half miles southwest OF
Alma, where both OF the young people
were employed.
Frank b. .amison is young man,
25 years old, and came here from Dele
ware county, Ohio, about a month ego,
and had been working for Mr.. Nevin'
about two weeks, while Miss Nora John.
son is the daughter of Mat Johnson and
had been employed by Mrs. Nevins for
about four months.
The facts Of the story as developed at
the hearing in Justice Chadwick's urt,
Monday afternoon, are that Jamison had
returned from dinner at IA neighbors.
across TIE road from the Nevins' resi-
dence, aud entered the kitchen door.
Il found Miss Johnson in that room,
said Jamison, "and asked her why she
did not come over 10 dinner. She re-
piled that she was not very hungry,
and had eaten some bread a.d milk, and
invited me TO get a glass and have some
with her. After that | went out 10 do
the chores and then got ready to 90
hunting. When | returned from the
barn Miss Johnson was playing on the
my shot gun in one hand and a cart.
ridge belt In the other. She turned e
me and said let me see you drill like
you used 10 in the army, and | replied
that ! would after We sang a song. We
ang the chorus OF one piece, and then
toll her that Juld not give the drlll
with shot gun ss il was not belanced
right, but that | would get the rifle
which stood in the woodshed w hen
returned TO the sitting room Miss
Johnson was still ut the piano, and
stopped just inside the door and pro-
ceeded to give the manual of arms
She arose from the piano stool and
reached for her hat, which was on the
center table, just as | was about 70 ex.
ecute the last order, thrust bay yonets.
Here the young man broke down com
pletely, and between genuine sobs of
regret and SORROW, tried to tell the court
that he had shot MS friend.
In some accidental way the gun was
discharged aud the ball went complete
ly through the neck OF the young wo.
man and she sank to the floor dead
All that happened after that has been
20 him hazy dream, AID IL was a shock
from which his SIX foot Of manliness
Will never iully recover.
The Jury was out but few minutes
and returned verdict that Miss John.
son met death by the accidental dis
charge o. gun, thus exoneriating the
youug man from all blame OF the tragic
| affair
Mr. Jamisor served m the l.. S. army
u the PHILIPPINES aud IL an houorably
discharged soldier. without a blemish
on his record, and he deserves the SYM
pathy and charity which Is offered him
ON every hand i'm his tn uble.
The uutimeiy death ~ Miss Johnson
is doubly sad IN her family, having lost
her mother and sister within the past
year. The funeral was held Monday
from the Methodist church and she
was laid at rest beside her mother In
/ the Wright cemetery.
The whole air is lamentable one,
/ but accidents attend Us all and from
/ this painful seOn We should learn to
exercise more care aud caution,