Clearfield County PA Archives - Obituaries: Burns, James Ritz, Nov 1875 Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Marlene Stone, , Nov 2009 Copyright 2009. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/clearfield/ ________________________________________________ Deaths from the Hollidaysburg Register, Blair County Weekly News. (PA.) Wed. 24 Nov. 1875 issue. BURNS - THE TRAGIC DEATH OF A DEER HUNTER - The Lewistown True Democrat gives the following particulars of the violent death of James Ritz Burns, which occured in Clearfield county, on Monday 17th inst: Mr. Burns, in company with Mr. J.F. Steiner, of Phillipsburg, Rev. Wilson, Rev. Gearhart and one or two other gentlemen, was in the mountains about twelve miles from Phillipsburg. On Monday morning Mr. Burns was stationed at what is called a deer crossing, two of his companions being at different points below and Mr. Steiner undertook to 'drive in'. Shortly afterward the report of Mr. Burn's rifle was heard and his comrades naturally supposed he had shot a deer. A half hour afterward the 'drive' was ended, and Mr. Wilson proceeded to see what luck Mr. Burns had had. On arriving at the spot was horror stricken at the sight before him - J. Ritz Burns lying dead beside a log, the contents of his discharged rifle, a load of buckshot, having entered his head. His right hand was still in his pocket, in his perculiar way, the thumbs outside, showing that he died without a struggle. An examination made by the party resulted in the following supposition as to the manner of his death. He was probably standing upon the log, with the butt of his gun resting upon it, and his left hand holding the muzzle. A slip or a move caused the gun to drop from his hand, and the hammer striking the log, discharged the load, which barely grazed the back of his left hand and, entering the upper lip, lodged in his brain. Death, of course, was instantaneous. The deceased was a young man much respected in Lewistown, and was the only son of Gen. James Burns. He was in his 29h year, and leaves a widow and two children.