Payette County ID Archives News.....James Orrell Has Finger Blown Off by a Gun and His Companion Narrowly Escapes. November 13, 1902
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Patty Theurer seymour784@yahoo.com January 24, 2006, 1:37 am

Payette Independent November 13, 1902
Payette Independent
Payette, Idaho
Thursday, November 13, 1902

ACCIDENTLY INJURED

James Orrell Has Finger Blown Off by a Gun and His Companion Narrowly Escapes.

By the accidental discharge of his shot gun while out hunting Monday afternoon, 
James Orrell had the misfortune to have the forefinger of his left hand 
completely blown off.  Manley Griffith, who was in company with the unfortunate 
young man at the time of the explosion, had a narrow escape from death.  He was 
a little in the lead of Orrell when the gun went off and the heavy charged 
passed so close to his back that his coat was slightly powder burned.  

The two young men were crossing Ed Short’s field between his house and the 
Payette river, when the accident occurred.  They were watching a flock of ducks 
which were circling above them and Orrell was carrying his gun, a 12-gauge 
Winchester, at full cock, in his right hand with his finger on the trigger, 
also holding the hammer down.  In crossing a bank the muzzle of his gun was 
accidently rammed into the ground and filled with soft dirt.  Still holding his 
right hand on the trigger and hammer of the weapon, the young man began poking 
the mud out of his gun barrel with his forefinger of his left hand when the 
explosion occurred, tearing the member entirely away, joint and all.  It is not 
known how the gun was discharged but it is supposed that Orrell involuntarily 
pulled the trigger while giving all his attention to the work of cleaning his 
gun barrel.

Griffith at once hurried his injured companion back to Short’s ranch where he 
secured a team and brought him to town.  Dr. Kimmell sewed up and dressed 
Orrell’s hand, which was badly powder burned, and he is now getting along as 
well as could be expected.  It is thought that there is but little danger of 
blood poisoning.  


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