The Ouachita Telegraph - 
David A. Washburn Accidentally Shoots and Kills Charles S. Colbert

Date: Oct 2000
Submitted by: Lora Peppers <lpeppers@ouachita.lib.la.us>

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The Ouachita Telegraph
Sunday, February 7, 1886
Page 1, Column 5

ACCIDENTAL SHOOTING AT GIBSLAND
Shreveport Times.)
 GIBSLAND, La., Feb. 1. –1886 – A most deplorable accident occurred here in
the office of the Vicksburg, Shreveport and Pacific railroad depot last
night just after the west-bound passenger train had passed, which was about
10:15.  David A. Washburn, agent and operator at this station, and his bosom
friend, Charles S. Colbert, both youths about 15 years old, slept together
in the office and young Charles generally assisted David in looking after
the mail, express, etc., when the early morning train passed east; and David
was teaching Charles telegraphy at odd times in the evening after business
hours, as Charles was employed during the day in the drug store of Mobley &
Baker.
 The two boys were inseperable companions, and with other sports common to
boys of their age, they had at times been shooting a pistol which David had,
it appears, secured without the knowledge of his parents.
 At the time the accident happened there were in the office besides the two
boys the depot porter and the Sparta hack driver.  Charles was standing at
the office desk.  David was sitting in a chair at a table at the end of the
desk, and facing Charles, and was taking the metal cartridges from the
cylinder of the pistol and had taken out all but one when it is supposed the
hammer slipped from the pressure of his thumb and struck the cartridge with
sufficient force to explode it.  The bullet struck Charles just above the
right eye, penetrating the brain.  He sank to the floor at the instant the
shot was fired but never spoke.  He lived about fifteen minutes.
 His father, Mr. W.B. Colbert, and mother and brothers and sister were at
his bedside in a few moments, but only to see their dear one breathe his
last.  Young David, the son of Capt. W.M. Washburn, of this place, was
distracted with grief and is inconsolable, refusing to go into the office
where the dreadful accident occurred. E.

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