When was it published?

July 24, 1844 in New Haven Daily Herald

Domestic News July 24, 1844

New Haven Daily Herald

Q: What entities or persons were involved?

Silas R. Howe, Capt. Green, Mr. S. Kendrick

Q: What keywords are associated?

Gun Accident, Rifle Discharge, Boat Mishap, Pittsford Lock, Silas Howe Death

New Haven, New Haven County, Connecticut

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What is this article about?

Silas R. Howe, a young man from Detroit, accidentally shot himself in the head with a rifle while on the boat North America at Pittsford lock, dying three hours later. A letter from his mother in East Poultney, Vermont, had warned him to be careful with the gun.

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Full Text

Melancholy Accident.—A young man named Silas R. Howe, lately in the employment of Mr. S. Kendrick, hardware merchant, of Detroit, took passage for the East on board the North America, Capt. Green. On the way to Pittsford he took from his trunk a very neat rifle of large bore, and loaded it to shoot squirrels. He endeavored to fire it several times without success. While examining the condition of the piece the boat arrived at Pittsford lock. In stooping to pass the bridge it is supposed that the lock caught in some part of his clothes, and when he rose up the piece went off, sending the ball directly through his head, entering just above the eye and scattering portions of the brain in various directions. The unfortunate man lived three hours.

His mother and friends reside in East Poultney, Vermont.

In his pocket was a letter from his mother with this caution—'Silas, be very careful of your gun.'—Roch. Dem.

What sub-type of article is it?

Accident Death Or Funeral

What keywords are associated?

Gun Accident Rifle Discharge Boat Mishap Pittsford Lock Silas Howe Death

What entities or persons were involved?

Silas R. Howe Capt. Green Mr. S. Kendrick

Where did it happen?

Pittsford Lock

Domestic News Details

Primary Location

Pittsford Lock

Key Persons

Silas R. Howe Capt. Green Mr. S. Kendrick

Outcome

the ball entered just above the eye, scattering portions of the brain; the man lived three hours.

Event Details

Silas R. Howe loaded a rifle to shoot squirrels on the boat North America. Unable to fire it, while examining it as the boat reached Pittsford lock, he stooped to pass under a bridge. The lock caught in his clothes, and upon rising, the rifle discharged, shooting him through the head.