OBIT: Unknown SOAF, 1862, Cambria County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Patty Millich Copyright 2008. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cambria/ _________________________________________ The Alleghanian, Ebensburg, Pa. Thursday, September 4, 1862 Volume 3, Number 50 Sad Occurrence - Boy Shot We copy the following from the Johnstown TRIBUNE of last week: A young man named Gillis Hartzell was out gunning on Thursday and in coming home along the Somerset road in the afternoon, in company with two other boys in a wagon, they were overtaken by a young man named Soaf who carries the mail between Johnstown and Stoystown. After riding in company for some time the boys meanwhile having their fun with each other, Hartzell, under the impression that it was empty pointed his gun at the mail boy and playfully told him if he didn't behave he would shoot him. The young man, disregarding the threat, kept on with his fun, when Hartzell leveled his gun at him and pulled the trigger, when to his amazement it discharged and Soaf fell from his horse. Upon examination it was discovered that the ball had taken effect in his face and that he was already quite dead. Hartzell remained with the body until the Somerset hack came along which took up the body and brought it to town. Hartzell came along and gave himself up. He claims that he had a distinct recollection of discharging the gun but had no recollection of again loading it and was under the impression that it was empty when he said he would shoot.