Hancock County Historical Society
Carthage, IllinoisAE Vol 2
Page 68BOY SHOOTS AND KILLS HIS PLAYMATE
A very sad affair was that of an accident which occurred Tuesday evening on the Willis farm near Joetta. Lewis Austin met his death caused by a 22 rifle accidentally discharged by his cousin and playmate, Willis Wear. Both boys were 12 years old.
Mrs. Lewis Carroll, mother of the boy who was killed, was at the hospital in Macomb, and the Austin boy was staying with his uncle and aunt, Mr. and Mrs. Elbridge Wear. About four o'clock in the afternoon the two boys took their rifles and went hunting. About six o'clock they were on the Willis farm and were starting home. The Wear boy went to unload his gun and as he did in some way the rifle was accidentally discharged. The Austin boy was standing about fifteen feet away and the shot took effect, striking him on the right side just above the hip bone.
Soon Died of Wound
The wounded boy said, "Oh! Lets hurry home," and started to run towards home. He hadn't run but a short distance when he turned so sick that he laid down. The Wear boy ran for help. A doctor was phoned for and a trained nurse, who was caring for Mrs. Lawrence Willis and her newly born twins, was called and was soon at the side of the body, but only arrived in time to see the boy die. Death came within a half hour after the accident occurred.
Three Deaths By Accident
This is a very sad case and is the third death in this family by accident. A few years ago William Austin, the father of the boy, was killed by being struck by the "Eli" north of Plymouth as he was returning home from the Old Settlers Picnic held each year at Plymouth. The last of April, this spring, Ray Austin, a brother of the boy who died from the effects of the shot, bled to death from a wound inflicted by an ax while chipping wood when Lewis accidentally struck Ray in the hip and he died before medical aid could be secured. Their mother at that time had just returned home from the hospital. This time she was again in the hospital, returning home the day of the inquest.
THE CORONER'S INQUEST
Wednesday morning Coroner Lummis and Harry Pence drove to Joetta and the inquest was held. The jury was composed of Lawrence Willis, foreman: Harry Pence, E. Dunkam, Ralph Belknap, J. W. Simmons and J. W. Hall. After the witnesses had testified the jury brought in the verdict that, "He came to his death by gun shot accidentally discharged by Willis Wear, his boy companion."
Note: Lewis is buried in the Belknap Cemetery in Hancock Township, Hancock Co., IL.
