Tragedy in Montesano
A playful struggle over a revolver ends in the accidental death of a prominent town founder's son.
A sad accident occurred at Montesano Friday evening, which resulted in the death of a young man 17 years of age named Norman Scammon, son of Josiah Scammon, the proprietor of the townsite of that thriving little village. It seems that the lad was playfully contending with a girl companion for the possession of a revolver, which during the strife was discharged, the ball penetrating the abdomen and producing death in about four hours after the shooting occurred. Norman was an only son, and the sole prop of aged parents in their declining years. They have the heartfelt sympathy of the whole community.
“The lad was playfully contending with a girl companion for the possession of a revolver, which during the strife was discharged.”
This incident serves as a grim historical reminder of the prevalence of firearms in 19th-century frontier towns and the tragic consequences of accidental discharge—an issue that continues to cause heartache in communities today.
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