Typed as spelled and written
Lena Stone Criswell

THE MARLIN DEMOCRAT
Thirteenth Year - Number 36
Marlin, Texas,Thursday, November 6, 1902

ACCIDENTAL KILLING.
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Herman Gench Is Shot By Companion.
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       Herman Gench, aged 17 years, son of a well-to-do German farmer, near Riesel was shot and instantly killed by the accidental discharge of a target gun in the hands of Charles Parker, a neighbor boy and intimate friend.
       The two boys were engaged shooting at a mark, a contest for superior markmanship.  After the contest had recorded several rounds with neither contestant satisfied with the result, preparations were made for another test of the skill of the young marksmen and Parker took the gun to fire the first shot.  By some unaccountable means, the gun was discharged, the contents striking Gench in the back of the head, killing him instantly.
       Parker stood for a moment appalled at the awful tragedy, then broke away from the scene and ran screaming for help.  Neighbors soon gathered and physicians were summoned, but he unfortunate lad died without speaking a word.

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Copyright permission granted to Theresa Carhart and her volunteers for printing
by The Democrat, Marlin, Falls Co., Texas