BROTHER SHOT IN BACK AND KILLED

GAST

Posted By: Judy Kelley, volunteer (email)
Date: 4/3/2010 at 17:44:18

Source: Louisa County Historical Scrapbook, clipping from unknown newspaper, handwritten date of June 17, 1912

SIX-YEAR-OLD BROTHER UNWITTINGLY IS CAUSE OF TRAGEDY ON FARM AT GRANDVIEW YESTERDAY.

SHOT PIERCES HEART

Children of Mr. and Mrs. Perry Gast At Play In Field When Younger Brother Picks Up Rifle and Accidentally Discharging It, Causes Mortal Wound.

Granview, Ia., June 18. - Playing in the potato patch on their father's farm at this place, Dan, the 6-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Perry Gast, accidentally shot Paul, his 10-year-old brother, through the back last evening shortly before five o'clock. The lad dropped to the ground mortally wounded, never regaining consciousness. He died within less than five minutes. A physician was summoned but before his arrival the wounded boy had expired.

The tragedy occurred while the two little brothers were playing in the field, the older one demonstrating his marksmanship abilities by shooting at a mark. In walking between two rows of potatoes towards the house, the 6-year-old child picked up a 22-calibre rifle. His brother at the time was barely ten feet distant from him. The weapon was accidentally discharged, the leaden pellet piercing the heart of the unsuspecting child through the back. It is presumed that in picking up the rifle, it was accidentally discharged.

The latter lad, realizing the tragedy, was almost wild with grief and horror at what he had unwittingly done. A physician's services were required to calm the bereaved lad.

The body of the dead child will be laid at rest Wednesday afternoon, the funeral services to be conducted at the Grandview church.