BARTHOLOMEW, James 1851 - 1875

BARTHOLOMEW

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 5/25/2021 at 20:23:27

"The Fairfield Ledger"
Thursday, December 30, 1875
Page 2, Column 1

A TERRIBLE CALAMITY
Accidental Shooting of James BARTHOLOMEW.

Last week was a merry one to most of our people, and we are sorry to chronicle an item which not only caused deep misery in two or three households, but cast a gloom of sadness over the entire community.

On Thursday evening, about seven o'clock, while our streets were crowded with a merry throng of people--happy in anticipation of the Holidays--those around the square were startled by a pistol shot ringing loud above all the other noise. Hastening to ascertain the cause, we hurried to the grocery store of J. A. Beck, on the South side, where we saw a crowd collecting. Upon entering the store we witnessed a sight which would chill the blood of the strongest man. There, lying on the floor of the store, surrounded by a wondering crowd, lay James BARTHOLOMEW, cold in death. A short time since, we had seen him enjoying good health--a noble young man in the prime of life--alas, to be stricken down so suddenly, and by the hand of his intimate friend. It was a sad sight, and we recoiled from it with horror. It appears that James BAILEY was purchasing a revolver at Beck's, and had loaded the weapon, little thinking of the terrible result which would soon follow. While examining the pistol, BARTHOLOMEW came in and spoke cordially to Bailey. The latter showed him the revolver, and while making some careless remark the pistol was discharged, the ball striking mader BARTHOLOMEW's left eye, penetrating his brain and causing his instant death.

He and Bailey had been very intimate for some time, and as no hard feelings had existed betwern (sic) them, the shooting could not have been other than accidental. While we doprecate (?) the careless handling of firearms, we cannot find it in our heart to speak of Bailey's terrible misfortune except in a sympathizing way. This is only another warning, but we fear it will not be heeded.

James BARTHOLOMEW was buried on Christmas day. The body was followed to its final resting place the old Cemetery by a large concourse of friends. Our sympathies are tendered to the grief-stricken parents.

The following is the verdict of the coroner's jury:

State of Iowa, }
Jefferson Co. } ss.

An inquest holden at Fairfield, in Jefferson county, on the 23rd and 24th days of December, A. D. 1875, before Thos. D. Evans, Coroner of the said county, upon the body of James BARTHOLOMEW, there lying dead, by the persons whose names are hereto subscribed,

The said jurors upon their oaths do say, that the said BARTHOLOMEW came to his death, by a pistol ball, accidentally fired from a single barreled pistol in the hands of James B. Bailey, about half past six o'clock on the evening of Dec. 23, 1875, in the store of Jas. A. Beck, in Fairfield, Iowa, and was the result of the careless or thoughtless use of said pistol in the hands of said Bailey.

In testimony whereof, the said jurors have hereunto set their hands the 25th day of December, and year aforesaid.

C. David.
J. W. Quillen,
Jos. R. McCrackin.

Attest:
Thos. D. Evans, Coroner.

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*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.

Note: Buried in Lot Old.P.247. He was a son of Thomas & Nancy BARTHOLOMEW.