Ionia County MI Archives Obituaries.....Aldrich, James Arthur 1875
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Sandy Heintzelman sheintz@iserv.net March 30, 2018, 10:42 am

Ionia Sentinel, 29 Jan 1875

James Arthur Aldrich died January 25, 1875, age 28, funeral January 29, 1875 at
South Boston.  On Monday afternoon, at about  five o'clock as James Aldrich, of
South Boston, was driving past a new dwelling, which his brother Arthur was
erecting, he thought he heard the discharge of a gun; but as some children, who,
were in his sleigh were making considerable noise, he was not certain and did
not call to examine.  After waiting sometime for his brother to come home to
tea, he, thinking that something might be wrong, proceeded in the house, and on
opening the door, his eyes met the sad sight of his brother's body lying on the
floor, with the blood flowing from his side.  A physician was summoned from
Saranac, and an investigation showed that the wound was caused by a rifle ball,
which had penetrated the left side, and it is thought entered the heart.  Life
was extinct when he was found.  The deceased was a young man of about 28 years
of age, unmarried, and had always borne a good reputation.  He was a member of
the Baptist Church and an Odd Fellow in good standing--a member of the Saranac
Lodge.  Some two or three years ago he was afflicted with insanity, and was sent
to the Asylum at Kalamazoo.  But he has shown no symptoms of mental derangement
for two years past.  There are two theories in relation to the affair; one that
it was accidental, and the other that it was suicide.  Justice Vosper was to
hold an inquest over the body on Wednesday, but we have not learned the result.
 The official investigation may throw more light upon the matter.  Since writing
the above we have learned the facts which were developed before the Coroner's
jury:  It seems that the gun was borrowed of a neighbor on the day of the
accident and Mr. Aldrich had run up some balls for the purpose of hunting the
next day.  The gun was placed on the joist overhead upon which no floor had been
laid, and the theory is, which seems quite probable, that, hearing his brother's
sleigh coming, and wishing to ride home, he stepped upon a saw horse quickly,
and reaching up, took hold of the barrel and drew it down, muzzle foremost, when
the hammer caught on one of the joists, thus discharging the gun.  The contents
took effect in the left side, and passed downward through the heart, probably
killing him instantly.  The funeral will take place on Friday, under the
auspices of the Odd Fellows' fraternity.


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