, 1906-08-14
SHOT IN EYE.
Paul Berner Accidentally Wounded by
Brother Yesterday Afternoon.

Paul Berner Accidentally wounded by
Brother Yesterday Afternoon.
Paul Berner, the 10-year-old son of
Mr.. and Mrs. Erhard Berner, living
with his parents at Tenth and Garfield
streets, was accidentally shot in the
eye by his brother, Gus Berner, a few
years older, yesterday afternoon, and
now lies at home between life and
death, the struggle for the mastery be-
ing a severe one. Young Berner is
under the care of DR.. Stevens, who is
doing everything that skill in medi-
cine and surgery can suggest, but the
wound is a desperate one and the death
angel may win the fight. The little
fellow at first said he suffered no pain,
but later there was intense suffering,
the doctor being summoned late at
night, early this morning and at inter
walls during the day.
Story of the Accident.
Paul and Gus Berner went to the
Berner ranch, up the side of the noun
tains east of the city, ONT time dur
ing the forenoon yesterday, where an
older brother, Will Berner, was at
work harvesting the hay crop. The
boys reached the ranch house about
noon. Not hnding VII there, they
went INTO the house, Wien Gus picked
up an old army musket converted into
a shotgun by the boys. He says he did
not think the piece was loaded. He
was handling it, cooking the hammer
and letting it down again, when Paul
passed the muzzle Of the gun. Just as
the lad passed the muzZle the charge
went off, the shot with which the gun
was loaded striking him in the left
eye. There was evidently a small
charge in the gun, else the lads head
would have been blown off and he
could not have lived a minute. The
the shot s~hattering the bones of the
cheek, others going through that por-
ton of the head. AS far as can be
learned, lone of the shot penetrated
lilt VI - cavity do IutlG 10 III oiSh VI
paralysis and little fever. The TEN
perature has been normal all the time,
almost, and the boy seems to be suffer
ing very little.
Didn't Know 1t Was Loaded.
The discharge of the gun was a great
surprise to both boys. Gus is familiar
with guns, and believed there was no
danger in this one. He was not
handling it carelessly, and did not see
the younger boy as he came toward
the muzzle of the weapon. When the
charge took effect Paul screamed and
Gus dropped the gun. He raj to where
his brother Will was at work, telling
him of the accident. Will was raking
hay with one horse. fastening to the
house, he did what he could for his
brother, then riding two miles to the
pasture, brought one other horse to
the barn, making a team and bringing
the injured lad to the home of his
parents in the city, reaching there
about 4 o'clock.
DR.. Stevens Called.
DR.. Stevens was hastily summoned
and hurried to the house. The wound
was then several hours old, the boy
had beer without medical attention,
and his condition was alarming. There
was much excitement in the neighbor
hood. the neighbors doing what they
could to assist the stricken family
The father, who was at work as a car,
penter on one of the new buildings
was summoned. DR.. Stevens was called
again at 9 o'clock last night, saw the
patient at 5 O'Clock this morning ant
again during the forenoon.
: Condition This Afternoon.
DR.. Stevens was seen this afternoon
stating at that time that the condition
: of young Berner was somewhat hope
full. although there was danger of com
l plication. That he is dangerously
| wounded the doctor admitted. That he
was not instantly killed is the wonder
as his eye was but a few inches from
; the muzzle of the gun when the piece
t was discharged. He had not touched
8 the gun, and was attracted by curios
t ity to pass the muzzle and watch hi'
: brother manipulate the hammer. Tit
S musket was old, a muzzle loader, AM
e the Berner boys had been using 1t a
i a fowling piece. The small sized LOAF
e saved the boys life.