The Deadly Accident at the Little Sisters’ Hospital
Two young brothers play near the Seattle hospital, ending in a sudden and heart-breaking tragedy.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
John and Curtis White, sons of Dr. G. A. White, county physician of Sacramento, Cal., aged 10 and 9 years respectively, went out duck-hunting near the Little Sisters' county hospital Sunday evening. John was in advance and carrying his shotgun over his left arm, when it discharged, striking his brother in the head and killing him instantly. The entire top of his head was blown off.
“John was in advance and carrying his shotgun over his left arm, when it discharged, striking his brother in the head and killing him instantly.”
Accidental firearm deaths involving children have remained a haunting and recurring tragedy throughout American history. This 1887 report from Seattle serves as a somber reminder of the long-standing, often preventable, dangers posed by the accessibility of lethal weapons in domestic and recreational life.
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