The Teague Chronicle - March 28, 1919 edition

ACCIDENTAL GUNSHOT IS FATAL TO CHILD

YOUTH SHOT 9 YEAR OLD PLAYMATE WHILE HUNTING NEAR CITY LIMITS SATURDAY

Joel Taylor Needham, the nine year old son of Mr. and Mrs. C.E. Needham was
instantly killed about 3:30 Sat. afternoon when an accidental discharge from a
gunshot in the hands of Alex H. Brunson, twelve year old son of Mr. and Mrs.
Alex Brunson, entered his left breast just in front of the armpit and lodged in
the body. The left side was turned toward the muzzle of the gun and the charge
entered just above the heart and ranged inward lodging somewhere in the right
side of the chest near the right shoulder blade. The little fellow died
immediately.

Charles Ed Needham, 12, and Alex Brunson, accompanied by Charles younger
brother, Joel had gone out for a rabbit hunt and not been away from their home
more than half an hour when the accident happened. The boys had stopped to rest
in the road near the Negro cemetery in the northern part of town just outside
the city limits. Brunson had cocked his double barreled shotgun in order to be
ready to shoot in case a rabbit ran across the road. Joel Needham was in the
act of spinning a top when the two older boys got up to continue the hunt. In
letting down the hammer, Brunson let the gun fire while the little boy was in
front of it about ten feet away. The charge made a large hole in the body.

C.E. Needham says it was by a misunderstanding that the boys went hunting on
this occasion. His son Charles had asked in the morning to go hunting. His
father refused. He then asked to be allowed to go in the afternoon and as he
left his father the latter told him he might go in the afternoon but should
take along a dog and no gun. He misunderstood and carried the gun. The other
boys going along also.

Funeral services were conducted Sunday afternoon at 3:30 o'clock by Rev. W.B.
Preston and interment was in the city cemetery. Mr. and Mrs. Needham have the
sincere sympathy of a large number of friends in their sadness resulting from
the tragedy. They have requested the Chronicle to express their thanks to the
people of Teague for their kindness through their troubles. Mr. Needham and
family have been residents of Teague for the past seven years and have five
children left. This was one of the most deplorable accidents which has happened
in this community for some time.