Clearfield County PA Archives - Obituaries: Burns, James Ritz, Nov 1875

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by:
Marlene Stone, <MMSGemstone@aol.com>, Nov 2009

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Deaths from the Hollidaysburg Register, Blair County Weekly News. (PA.)
Wed. 24 Nov. 1875 issue.

BURNS - THE TRAGIC DEATH OF A DEER HUNTER - 
The Lewistown True Democrat gives the following particulars of the violent 
death of James Ritz Burns, which occured in Clearfield county, on Monday 
17th inst: Mr. Burns, in company with Mr. J.F. Steiner, of Phillipsburg, Rev. 
Wilson, Rev. Gearhart and one or two other gentlemen, was in the mountains 
about twelve miles from Phillipsburg. On Monday morning Mr. Burns was 
stationed at what is called a deer crossing, two of his companions being at 
different points below and Mr. Steiner undertook to 'drive in'. Shortly afterward 
the report of Mr. Burn's rifle was heard and his comrades naturally supposed 
he had shot a deer. A half hour afterward the 'drive' was ended, and Mr. 
Wilson proceeded to see what luck Mr. Burns had had. On arriving at the spot was 
horror stricken at the sight before him - J. Ritz Burns lying dead beside a 
log, the contents of his discharged rifle, a load of buckshot, having 
entered his head. His right hand was still in his pocket, in his perculiar way, 
the thumbs outside, showing that he died without a struggle. An examination 
made by the party resulted in the following supposition as to the manner of 
his death. He was probably standing upon the log, with the butt of his gun 
resting upon it, and his left hand holding the muzzle. A slip or a move caused 
the gun to drop from his hand, and the hammer striking the log, discharged 
the load, which barely grazed the back of his left hand and, entering the 
upper lip, lodged in his brain. Death, of course, was instantaneous. The 
deceased was a young man much respected in Lewistown, and was the only son of 
Gen. James Burns. He was in his 29h year, and leaves a widow and two children.