Thursday, August 30, 2018

HENRY W. BROWN ACCIDENTALLY SHOT IN ACADIA NATIONAL PARK - OCTOBER 1919

Deaths In Acadia National Park;

BAR HARBOR RECORD
Oct. 8, 1919
Henry W. Brown Accidentally Shot

Unfortunate event results in Death Monday.
BOY WAS BUT FOURTEEN
Whole Town Saddened By Accidental Death Of Son of Mr. and Mrs Arthur Brown.

One of the sadest accidents that Bar Harbor has ever known occurred Saturday when Henry W. Brown, the young son of Mr and Mrs Arthur W. Brown, accidently shot himself as a result of which he died Monday morning at the Bar Harbor hospital.  Young Brown, who was fourteen years of age, had spent the night at a camp at Eagle Lake with three other boys and rising before daylight they had made their way to the Breakneck Road hoping to shoot some ducks at Half Moon Pond.
It seems that they were cold and they started to build a fire.  Henry Brown attempted to break a dead branch from a tree with the butt of his shotgun, thinking that the weapon was not loaded.  It was thus accidently discharged and the entire charge of shot entered his leg near the hip.  His young companions acted with rare presence of mind in applying first aid treatment.  A tourniquet was made and the flow of blood thus stopped.  A fire was built and the other boys took off their own outter garments and in every way made their unfortunate friend as comfortable as possible.  one of them made an haste to the nearest telephone and phoned Dr. Charles Morrison Jr, who with Chief Gerry of the Bar Harbor police rushed to the spot in Dr. Morrison's car.  The unfortunate boy was immediately removed to the hospital where his wound was dressed and where all that could be done to save his life was done, but from the first little hope was held out for his recovery.
The boy was cheerful and optimistic throughout, maintaining that he was all right.  chief Gerry said that his courage was remarkable and discriobed his conduct as that of the gamest youngster he had ever seen.  Dr. Morrison said that he was most courageous and brave about it all.  Both the doctor and the Chief spoke in highest terms of the conduct of the companions of the unfortunate lad.  These boys, Fayette Norwood, Earle Stover and Russell Lea, acted with rare presence of mind and without such conduct on their part their friend might not have lived to see his family.
Henry Brown was of fourteen years of age and had entered Bar Harbor High school this fall.  He was one of the highest, most cheerful and most promising lads in town.  A general favorite, popular with his school fellows and with other people alike, he will be sadly missed by many friends.  The sympathy of the entire town goes out to the family.  Prayers were said at the home this afternoon.