The Daily Alaska empire., 1933-08-21
JOHN KEY IS ACCIDENTALLY
 SHOT ON HUNT
Bullet from Gun Fired by Burr Johnson
 Proves Fatal
BODY BROUGHT HERE
 BY FIRE DEPT. BOYS
Tragedy Occurs Sun day Morning on Douglas
 Island -Four Tn Party

In the first hunting deer season fatality, this year, John Alden Key of Juneau was accidentally shot by Winchester 405 caliber rifle in the hands of Burr Johnson, also of Juneau, Sunday morning about two miles above the Hume on Douglas Island across from Captain James Davis's residence on the Glacier Highway.
 The party, which was composed of Key, Mrs. Key, Burr Johnson and Bert McDowell, left Juneau yesterday morning at 3 o'clock, going across to Douglas Island in rowboat. They arrived at the beginning of the trail about 4 o'clock and started up the hill.
 According to Mcdowell, the party had stopped for a rest about fif- teen minutes before the accident occurred, and the members of the party spoke of the possibility of an accident. Johnson laid stress on everyone making sure that they could see the horns before they shot. Make sure its a deer, any how" added Key.
 Party Hiss Trail When they had gone about two miles above the Hume, the hunters entered small meadow, Johnson was in the lead, followed by Me- Dowell, Key and Mrs. Key in single file. It was quite foggy at the time. According to Mcdowell, he looked back about halfway across the meadow and noticed that Key and his wife had branched off a little and were going toward the edge of the brush a bit to the right of the course followed by Johnson and McDowell. AS they were only fifteen feet or so to the side, Mcdowell did not think it worth speaking about and took 1t for granted that Johnson had mo- ticed it also.
 SnOt IS fLTe0
 When they entered the brush, the two pairs were about 35 feet apart. They had penetrated the thick undergrowth only 40 or 50 feet, when McDowell, about six feet behind Johnson, saw the lat ter whirl, whip his gun to his shoulder and fire before he could warn him. The red pants and red blazer worn by Key were not visible through the tangled brush. Mrs. Key, who was about six feet behind her husband tried to catch him as he fell, wounded by the shot.
 Goes for Help
 AS soon as the accident occurred, Johnson left for help, McDowell and Mrs. Key remaining with the injured man. Johnson went down to the beach, but unable to get to a telephone, returned to the party. Then McDowell sent him back, and this time he came into Juneau at II o'clock in their boat A general fire alarm was sounded and party of ten was made up from the Fire Department to bring Key to Ju- neau. Difficulty was encountered in getting the ambulance stretcher through the brush and this necessi- tated another call, and several men went out at 4 o'clock The com bined parties were not able to re- turn to Juneau with the body until 6 o'clock last night.
 The fog, wet brush, and knee deep mud, were almost insurmount- able difficulties facing the Fire De- partment rescue party. Footing was very poor, and the trip back was a constant battle with the tangled undergrowth, as there was no trail. Steep ground also contributed to the difficulty.
 Fatal Shot
 The fatal shot was fired about 8:30 o'clock yesterday morning, but death did not occur until 2:04 o'clock in the afternoon about five minutes after the rescue party from the Juneau Fire Department ar rived at the scene. Dr. w. J. B. McAuliffe, of the Government Hos- pital, who went with the rescue party, said that the wound was fatal even if the accident had hap pened here in Juneau where the best of care could have been im- mediately available.
 Continued on Page Eight)