BICKERSTETH Stray

[Sue Mackay]

From the South African Commercial Advertiser (Cape Town) June 5 1839

DIED suddenly at Green Point, June 1st 1839, by the accidental discharge of a Gun whilst shooting, at the early age of 20 years, Edmund, youngest son of the Rev. John BICKERSTETH AM, Rector of Sapcote in the County of Leicestershire, and Chaplain to the Right Hon. Lord LANGDALE.

[Sue Mackay]

Later in the same edition of the paper:

DEATH
June 1st: Mr. Edmund BICKERSTETH, aged 20 years and 9 months

DEATH OF MR. E. BICKERSTETH
On Saturday last, about one o’clock in the afternoon, Mr. BICKERSTETH, accompanied by a young friend, started on an excursion to Three Anchor Bay, for the purpose of Fishing and Shooting. They had almost reached their destination when, in crossing some wet marshy ground, poor Mr. B’s foot slipped, and he fell forwards: in the attempt to recover himself, a double-barrelled gun which he was carrying on his right shoulder tilted over, and came in contact with the ground. It being a percussion lock, the sudden blow must have caused the discharge of the left barrel, and the poor man received the whole of its contents in his right side. The discharge shattered the ribs, and passing through the liver and part of the right lung, found its exit between the spine and shoulder blade of the same side.
Having turned round two or three times on the spot, he pressed his hand firmly to the bleeding wound, and convulsively closing his lips, without having uttered a word or even a groan, he sunk lifeless to the earth.
In a few minutes his afflicted and bereaved brother was by his side; too late alas! for aught else than the melancholy satisfaction of conveying to some kindler resting place his sad remains.
The unfortunate deceased was for two years an under-graduate of the University of Cambridge, but from delicacy of health was induced to forsake for a period is Academical pursuits, and leave his own for a more genial clime. Since his arrival here, now little more than twelve months, his health had much improved; and he had devoted himself closely to the study of the Medical Profession. Being naturally of a quiet, retiring disposition, he had sought for no acquaintance, and remained, except to a very few, almost entirely unknown. To those, however, who enjoyed his friendship, his loss will be keenly felt. To talents of no ordinary cast, he possessed, in addition, an almost dauntless perseverance which carried him through many difficulties that, to minds less strongly constituted, might have proved insurmountable.
As a friend he was warm and sincere, and if he possessed a failing in this respect it was that of a susceptibility too keenly alive, perhaps, to the slightest fancied or real change. In the closer relations of life his conduct was no less admirable and praiseworthy. As a son and a brother, the fervency of his affection has certainly been seldom equalled, if ever excelled, and the full extent of his worth in these characters has been, alas! only sufficiently appreciated by the chasm his awful and untimely death has caused in the immediate circle that mourn his loss.
His remains were interred on Monday evening, and followed to the grave by a numerous and respectable attendance.

[tony vines]

Ouch. I bet that stung a bit!

[Ladkyis]

proving once again that you must never carry a cocked gun - or even a loaded one for that matter.

His poor family.

[Sue Mackay]

proving once again that you must never carry a cocked gun - or even a loaded one for that matter.

His poor family.

Sadly not an isolated incident.

From the same newspaper, 21st September 1839

(From the Graham’s Town Journal, Sept 12)
MELANCHOLY DEATH OF CAPT. COX
Information has just been received in town of the death, by accident, of Capt. COX, late Commander of the Hope Steamer. The circumstances attending his death are most distressing. He was travelling between Cradock and Colesberg, in company with Mr. Louis NORTON of this place, when the fatal catastrophe occurred, the particulars of which are stated as follows, in a letter before us:
“Messrs. NORTON and COX had left the wagon for the purpose of shooting, and the former having fired at some bucks, dismounted to reload his gun. Capt. COX was then close by his side. Having loaded, NORTON handed COX an orange, and was in the act of remounting his horse when the hammer of his gun caught the flap of his saddle, and it went off. COX was at this moment about four yards in front, and the ball entered his back and completely fractured the back-bone. He did not live five minutes after he received the shot. He was buried here (Cradock) on Friday last.”