Los Angeles herald., 1908-09-06
RIFLE GOES Off;
KILLS BROTHER
PlTIFUL TRAGEDY FOLLOWS
GIFT OF GUN
VICTIM is THE BABY DARLING OF
FAMILY CIRCLE
Bereaved Mother Exhibits Wonderful
HeroIsm at Hospital, but Finally
Breaks Down Completely
Under Strain

While testing the mechanism Of
new rifle preparatory to going hunting,
Clyde Leary, aged 16, in some ua-
known manner touched the trigger of
the weapon and sent a bullet crash
ing through the neck of his 7-year-old
brother, Jack, killing him almost in
stantly, at their home, 1928 Beale
street, yesterday afternoon.
Clyde had often importuned his par
ents to allow him to have gun. He
was always refused and told that so
many accidents happen because or the
reckless manner in which most boys
handle rifles Finally, after much per-
suasion, he induced his father to buy
him a target rifle Of small caliber.
The lad was proud in the possession
of his long coveted gun and made ar
rangements with Leland Baker, one of
his intimate friends living in the
neighborhood, to go hunting. The two
lads were in the cellar of the Leary
home, getting their equipment in read
mess for the trip. Clyde was showing
the highly priced rifle to his friend and
explaining the manner of loading 1t.
He had evidently omitted to unload it
and just as he had finished exhibiting
the weapon and was about to set 1t
aside, a report rang out. The muzzle
was pointed toward the open door and
the bullet sped straight out to where
little Jack, the baby boy, small for his
age and of aAdelicate constitution, was
playing in the yard. The child was
struck in the left side of the neck and
the jugular vein was severed. He
emitted shrek of agony and sank to
the ground, the blood squirting from the
jagged wound.
Mrs. William D. Leary, the mother,
heard the cry of distress and hurried
out to where the child lay bleeding.
She seized the child and pressed him
to her breast, but he died in her arms
within short time after being shot.
The boys were badly frightened
when the gun was discharged and the
cry of pain was heard. They hurried
out of the cellar and reached the little
victim just as Mrs. Leary had him in
her arms.
When Clyde saw the result of the
first shot fired from the only gun he
ever owned his heart was almost
broken. He was almost historical and
begged his mother to do all she could
to save the wounded lads life.
"Oh, why did ever get rifie?" he
moaned as he rocked to and fro in an
agony of grief. II wish the bullet had
killed me instead of striking him."
Distracted as she was Mrs. Leary
retained her presence of mind and di-
rected the boys to notify the police and
have an ambulance sent. The fright
ened boys hurried to the nearest tele-
phone and soon the police ambulance
was on the way to the scene of the
accident.
The lad was hurried to the receiving
hospital, but his spirit had winged Its
way to the great unknown before the
arrival at the hospital.
Police Surgeon Wright announced
that the boy was dead and the mother,
who bore the strain like stole, stated
that she thought her baby boy was
dying when he was placed on the
stretcher.
Scene Intensely Pathetic
The scene at the hospital was most
pathetic. The mother stood Spartan
like until she realized the full import
of the surgeons words. She fought
hard to maintain a brave and cool ex-
terror, but the shock was too much for
her. Twin tears started down her
cheeks, but she brushed them away
and said in a calm and even tone:
"My poor baby boy. 1 knew he was
wound in his neck. Don't he look
sweet, the darling little fellow? He
was my baby boy and l always
watched over him carefully because he
was not strong and healthy like the
other children
She brushed back his hair and
looked into his eyes. Her superb con-
troll was fast giving away under the
awful strain. Il wish you could save
him for me, Doctor. she said appeal
ingly to Surgeon Wright, who was
furtively wiping tears from his eyes.
81 have five children and he was the
baby and l can't spare one of them.
Please bring him back to me-" She
still continued to force back the fast
rising sobs. Finally. when she could
not restrain herself longer, she placed
her arms beneath her baby boys head !
and, looking into the staring eyes,
my poor darling" she sobbed |
"You always were my little man. You |
never were big and strong like the |
others. It's too bad you have to go |
and leave mamma, but you are better
off. You are out of pain and misery, |
Jack, dear, and you will have no more |
troubles on this earth. Poor little fell
low, they can't bring you back to
mamma" She pressed him tightly to
her breast and moaned in anguish;
and silently, one by one, all withdrew |
and left the mother alone with her
dead. There was not dry eye in the |
hospital.
Another pathetic scene was enacted |
when the father reached the hospital |
and learned of the death of his son.
Leary is employed by the Southern |
Pacific company and works in the |
freight warehouse. The family came |
to Los Angeles several years ago from
Alabama.
The body was removed to the UNDER |
taking establishment of Bresee Broth
ers. where an inquest will be held.
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