FATAL ACCIDENT

Eddie Viel of Brown’s Nurseries

Killed by the Accidental Discharge of a 32-Calibre Revolver

[Welland Tribune, 29 October 1897]

The officers and employees at Brown’s Bros. Nurseries, Pelham, as well as the residents of the township, are in deep grief over the accidental shooting of Eddie Viel, book-keeper for the Brown Bros. Nursery Company on Monday night last, from the effects of which he died on Wednesday, Oct. 27. The facts of the case are as follows: Eddie Viel and Archie Fisher.

WERE BOSOM FRIENDS

-and room mates. Both were employed t the nursery-Archie is a son of Charles Fisher, superintendent of the nurseries, and Viel was a book-keeper for the company, his parents residing on Mutual street, Toronto. The young men were very intimate, and on Monday evening went to the harvest home services at the Friend’s church. Reaching home about midnight, Fisher picker up the revolver, which was empty, and proceeded to load it. In doing so

ONE OF THE CHAMBERS WAS DISCHARGED

-and the bullet struck Viel, entering the lower part of the stomach, passing through the body and lodging near the backbone. The alarm was at once given and Drs. Emmett of Fonthill and Barker of Fenwick instantly summoned. On Tuesday morning, in response to a despatch, the father of the unfortunate young man reached here; a professional nurse was secured from St. Catharines hospital, and everything possible done to relieve the patient’s suffering, and if possible to save his life. The grief of the father, and of the members of the Fisher family, was pitiable to witness. After the arrival of the father, while sufficient yet remained in the weakening frame of the brave young fellow, and in the presence of surrounding friends, he exonerated Archie Fisher from all blame. “Don’t worry so much he said.

ARCHIE WAS NOT TO BLAME

-and it might just as well have been him as me.” On Wednesday morning additional medical aid assistance was summoned, with the intention of removing the bullet, if deemed advisable, but before the surgeon could begin their task a serous collapse set in, and

EDDIE VIEL SANK TO REST

-just thirty-five hours after the accident, the mother was on her way from Toronto, but a message interrupted her, and she returned home without seeing her boy alive. Deceased was eighteen years of age. The remains were conveyed to the 8.40 T.H. &B train yesterday morning at Fenwick, and from thence taken to Toronto, where burial will take place today. Before the body was removed from the grief stricken home of the Fishers a brief but

SAD AND TOUCHING SERVICE

-was conducted by the Rev. Mr. Crowle, pastor of the Fonthill Methodist church, the neighbors attending as a mark of sympathy and respect for one they esteemed so much. Six colleagues bore the casket from the hearse, and the nursery officials and office employees proceeded to Toronto to attend the final obsequies of their well-beloved comrade there. Eddie Viel came here last spring, although he had been in the employ of Brown Bros. Nursery Co. prior to that time. His brief life here had won him many friends and no enemies. He was a young man of good habits.

CLEVER AND AMIABLE

-and always had an eye single to the best of his firm. The kindliest expressions of regard are heard on every end, and sympathy comes from all who know the details of the distressing and fatal affair.

It is but right to say that the revolver was the legitimate property of these young men. Both were frequently employed in conveying messages to and from the bank and valuable mail matter, and the firm

PROVIDED THE REVOLVER FOR THEIR PROTECTION.

Both, too, were accustomed to the use of firearms and many a time had risen with the sun and gone hunting together in the bush. In fact Fisher was almost an adept in the use of firearms, and the discharge of the revolver was purely accidental. Blame can attach to no one, despite the terrible consequences that have followed.