Gun Accidentally Discharged:
Youth Kills Self And Brother
Securing an automatic gun from the sewing machine drawer, Orville Williamson, eleven year old son of Mr. and Mrs. O.E. Williamson, of 511 Resort Street, in South Baker, last Saturday shot and killed his younger brother Edward, aged 5, and then shot himself dying instantly.
The gun had been taken from the machine drawer after his mother had left the house, about 7:45 o’clock in the evening, going on an errand to a neighbors. Little Edward, seeing his brother secure the gun; with his eyes sparkling ran across the room and pointed out a place on the wall paper, for them to use as a target. He turned to run back to his brother when the weapon was discharged by Orville, the bullet striking Edward between the eyes. Orville frightened, then turned the weapon toward himself, and the gun was discharged a second time, this time into the breast of Orville. Both boys died instantly. Arthur, aged four, was in the room at the time of the accident, and was the only witness to the accident. LaVerne, aged two, was asleep in another room. Mrs. Williamson on hearing the shots, ran to her home and found the two children lying dead.
The gun had been borrowed recently by Mr. Williamson and used on a hunting trip. He had placed it in the machine drawer not knowing it was loaded.
Mr. Williamson is an employe of the Oregon Lumber Company, in Baker, having lived there about four years. Other children are Floyd, aged 20, Freda aged 17 and the baby la Verne. Orville was a pupil in the fifth grade in the south Baker school.
The bodies were taken in charge by Coroner Earl West who decided it would be unnecessary to hold an inquest as it was plainly a case of accidental death.
Funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon in Baker at the West chapel, John H. Eckles of the L.D.S. church officiating and burial was in the Baker cemetery.
North Powder News
Saturday, December 4, 1926
