from the Rutland Daily Herald, July 5, 1876:
During the exercises at the grove in Pittsford, Asa Berry was killed by the premature discharge of the cannon. The cannon was in charge of Daniel Austin, and stationed on the edge of the bluff about thirty rods from the speakers stand. It had been arranged in the programme to have a shot fired at a signal as the orator of the day was introduced. There was a little delay in the firing and Mr. Walker began to speak. Soon the report of the cannon was heard, quickly followed by another and louder report, and the terrible announcement was made that Asa Berry had been killed. Mr. Austin had left the cannon and gone to the grove for water and was returning when the signal was given and the gun fired. The men proceeded to reload without wiping the gun, and while Berry was ramming down the cartridge it was exploded and he was blown down the bank and instantly killed. His right arm was torn off between the wrist and elbow and his clothes removed from his body, which was bruised and lacerated. This unfortunate man was about forty years old. He was a soldier in New York regiments during the last war. He lived in the east part of Pittsford, and had never been married. His funeral will be attended by the Rev. Mr. Hall. It is undoubtedly true that there was a gross carelessness on the part of some one, as there almost always is when such accidents occur, but it seemed to be the common opinion in Pittsford that Berry was the careless one. He was not in fit condition to be around a gun, and his startling death should be another reminder that it is impossible to exercise too much care while handling a cannon.
During the exercises at the grove in Pittsford, Asa Berry was killed by the premature discharge of the cannon. The cannon was in charge of Daniel Austin, and stationed on the edge of the bluff about thirty rods from the speakers stand. It had been arranged in the programme to have a shot fired at a signal as the orator of the day was introduced. There was a little delay in the firing and Mr. Walker began to speak. Soon the report of the cannon was heard, quickly followed by another and louder report, and the terrible announcement was made that Asa Berry had been killed. Mr. Austin had left the cannon and gone to the grove for water and was returning when the signal was given and the gun fired. The men proceeded to reload without wiping the gun, and while Berry was ramming down the cartridge it was exploded and he was blown down the bank and instantly killed. His right arm was torn off between the wrist and elbow and his clothes removed from his body, which was bruised and lacerated. This unfortunate man was about forty years old. He was a soldier in New York regiments during the last war. He lived in the east part of Pittsford, and had never been married. His funeral will be attended by the Rev. Mr. Hall. It is undoubtedly true that there was a gross carelessness on the part of some one, as there almost always is when such accidents occur, but it seemed to be the common opinion in Pittsford that Berry was the careless one. He was not in fit condition to be around a gun, and his startling death should be another reminder that it is impossible to exercise too much care while handling a cannon.
from the Rutland Daily Herald, July 5, 1876:
During the exercises at the grove in Pittsford, Asa Berry was killed by the premature discharge of the cannon. The cannon was in charge of Daniel Austin, and stationed on the edge of the bluff about thirty rods from the speakers stand. It had been arranged in the programme to have a shot fired at a signal as the orator of the day was introduced. There was a little delay in the firing and Mr. Walker began to speak. Soon the report of the cannon was heard, quickly followed by another and louder report, and the terrible announcement was made that Asa Berry had been killed. Mr. Austin had left the cannon and gone to the grove for water and was returning when the signal was given and the gun fired. The men proceeded to reload without wiping the gun, and while Berry was ramming down the cartridge it was exploded and he was blown down the bank and instantly killed. His right arm was torn off between the wrist and elbow and his clothes removed from his body, which was bruised and lacerated. This unfortunate man was about forty years old. He was a soldier in New York regiments during the last war. He lived in the east part of Pittsford, and had never been married. His funeral will be attended by the Rev. Mr. Hall. It is undoubtedly true that there was a gross carelessness on the part of some one, as there almost always is when such accidents occur, but it seemed to be the common opinion in Pittsford that Berry was the careless one. He was not in fit condition to be around a gun, and his startling death should be another reminder that it is impossible to exercise too much care while handling a cannon.
During the exercises at the grove in Pittsford, Asa Berry was killed by the premature discharge of the cannon. The cannon was in charge of Daniel Austin, and stationed on the edge of the bluff about thirty rods from the speakers stand. It had been arranged in the programme to have a shot fired at a signal as the orator of the day was introduced. There was a little delay in the firing and Mr. Walker began to speak. Soon the report of the cannon was heard, quickly followed by another and louder report, and the terrible announcement was made that Asa Berry had been killed. Mr. Austin had left the cannon and gone to the grove for water and was returning when the signal was given and the gun fired. The men proceeded to reload without wiping the gun, and while Berry was ramming down the cartridge it was exploded and he was blown down the bank and instantly killed. His right arm was torn off between the wrist and elbow and his clothes removed from his body, which was bruised and lacerated. This unfortunate man was about forty years old. He was a soldier in New York regiments during the last war. He lived in the east part of Pittsford, and had never been married. His funeral will be attended by the Rev. Mr. Hall. It is undoubtedly true that there was a gross carelessness on the part of some one, as there almost always is when such accidents occur, but it seemed to be the common opinion in Pittsford that Berry was the careless one. He was not in fit condition to be around a gun, and his startling death should be another reminder that it is impossible to exercise too much care while handling a cannon.
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