The New Hampshire Gazette And Historical Chronicle

PHILADELPHIA. October 27.

Amwell (New Jersey.) October 17, 1768.

On Wednesday, the 5th Instant, a melancholy Accident happened here.-- On the Afternoon of Said Day. Captain DANIEL READING. Son of the Honourable JOHN READING, Esquire. late of this Place, deceased. and two other Gentlemen, each with his Fowling Piece, charged with small Shot. went out to divert themselves, in the Pursuit of Game in the neighbouring Woods: . And they having discovered a Squirrel on a Tree, one of the Gentlemen presented ; by the Object moving, he took down his Piece, and, as he confidently thinks, half cocked it: Whilst they were walking about the Tree, in order again to discover the Game. the Gun of the Gentleman, who had presented, being in his Hand, accidentally went off, and Captain Reading being at a little Distance in a Direction nearly straight before the Muzzle of the Gun, unhappily received the Charge in his Right Arm, rather above the Joint of the Elbow, which not only lacerated the Flesh, & Fractured the Bone where it struck, but broke it off short, a little above where it entered. With much Difficulty he got home, in most excruciating Pain, which continued for some Days. Skilful Surgeons were immediately called to his Relief, who willing, agreeable to his own Desire, and that of his Friends, to use their utmost Endeavours to save his Arm, did not proceed to an Amputation Little or no Fever ensued, and after a few Days the Pain abated, and the wounded Part began to suppurate. But notwithstanding many flattering Symptoms of a favourable Issue, yet, on the Morning of the 15th Instant, he unexpectedly & suddenly expired, without any visible Mortification in the Part, unless sived and blackish Streaks, under his wounded Arm, and on that side, might be judged Indications of it.