Diss Family History Group

South Lopham.

SHOCKING GUN ACCIDENT. - A most alarming gun accident occurred on Sunday morning last, whereby a boy named Edward Cox, aged 13 years, and son of Robert Cox, farmer, was shot dead. It appears a lad named Elner and the deceased went out with a gun. Elner was carrying the gun in his arm, and he had passed over a low hedge and was returning when the gun discharged, and blew the top off the unfortunate boy Cox’s head off. Elner who was much frightened at once ran home and told his father, and subsequently Cox’s father. Mr. Keeble, who was passing at the time at once went for Dr. Fenn, of Diss. Information was shortly afterwards given to police-constable Aldis who at once arrested Elner for having caused the death of Cox. Elner was brought before Cecil T. Montgomerie, Esq. and Major Keppel, at the Occasional Court House, Kenninghall, on Monday morning, and he was remanded. - An inquest was held on Monday by H. E. Garrod, Esq. (Coroner for the Liberty of the Duke of Norfolk), at the Crown Inn, Lopham, and the following evidence was taken: -

Henry Self, labourer, South Lopham, said the deceased called his stepson up on Sunday at about 8 a.m., and they went out together. His son took out a gun license, and he occasionally shot a rabbit where he had leave. When the boy returned he said, “I have shot Cox as dead as he could be.” The lad appeared distressed, and was altogether alarmed about it. The boys has always been good friends. Witness went to the father of the boy Cox and let him know. He then went to the body, which lay on the allotment in the fence bear a gap. His son said it was an accident.

John Ball, sawyer, South Lopham, said at about nine o’clock he heard of a boy being shot, and he went to the allotment behind his house with Cox and Self. He saw the body in the hedge. T he right hand side of the boy’s head was shot off. He heard the report of the gun. Witness removed the body to the border, and afterwards assisted to convey it to where the jury has seen it.

Noah Elner, miller, South Lopham, elected to be sworn, and said he lived with his step-father, Henry Self, and was 18 years old. At about twenty minutes to eight on Sunday last the deceased came to his father’s cottage and asked him if he would go into his father’s field to see if there was a rabbit. He went out with his double-barrelled gun (produced). Deceased little brother was with him, and they all went to a gate leading to deceased father’s field. They turned back and went on to some allotments, witness carrying his gun. He had been in the field, and was turning round to come back again through the fence when the gun went off. They both were very close together. The triggers were down and the left-hand barrel had a cap, but a piece of a lucifer match was put on to make it go off. The deceased fell dead, and witness, much frightened, ran home. The movement must have jarred the match. He possessed a gun license, and he had had it since last August. The deceased’s age, he believed was about 13 years. Witness went home and told his father what had occurred.

Mr. Chas. Draper Fenn, surgeon, Diss, said on Sunday last he was called in to see the deceased, and he examined the body and found a gunshot wound on the right hand side of the head with the brains and right eye shot away. He did not notice any powder marks, and death must have been instantaneous.

The jury were of opinion that the gun should be destroyed, and they considered it to be a dangerous article for any one to have. The Coroner, who agreed with the jury, said he had no power to order its destruction. The jury returned a verdict of “Accidental Shot,” and the Coroner called attention to the fact that the lads being out shooting rabbits on Sunday was against the law.

The lad Elner who had been apprehended was discharged on Wednesday by Mr. C. T. Montgomerie at Garboldisham, owing to the Jury having returned a verdict of accidental death. – Mr. Edward [Robert] Cox, the father of the boy, fainted on Sunday on catching sight of his son, and has been seriously ill, but is now a little better. It was feared that he would lose his reason.