The Hunting Accident: 52 Ancestors

Was it really possible for a man to accidentally shoot himself in the face with a muzzle-loading rifle? Not knowing much about guns, I sat down with a co-worker who is a competitive shooter. He explained how the rifles popular during the Civil War were loaded with gunpowder, bullets, a ramrod and a percussion cap. He also felt it was highly possible that such a rifle could misfire.

The discussion reminded me of a 19th century pistol that I found in my grandmother's dresser. The local pawnshop owner was able to date it and warned that it would be dangerous to actually fire. It might hurt or kill the shooter.

So, yes, it does seem possible that a man could shoot himself in the face accidentally with a muzzle-loading rifle. That was the fate of my great-grandfather's older brother.

Young Joseph McFarlane, Jr., went out hunting alone in 1882 and was found dead, with a rifle on one side of his body and the ramrod on the other side, indicating he was loading the weapon when it fired. I don't know the age of the rifle, but it was probably older than Joseph's 24 years and may have been fouled from years of use.

His father had immigrated to Wisconsin from Scotland in 1849. He probably didn't bring a rifle with him on board ship. He purchased his farm on the Wisconsin frontier in the next ten years and would have needed a rifle for protection and hunting. He likely purchased his rifle sometime during the 1850's. Being farmers, I doubt the family would have purchased another rifle, unless one of the boys saved up to buy his own gun.

Joseph McFarlane's death was certainly a tragedy for the family, as he left behind only his 18-year-old brother to farm with their aged parents. The Sparta Herald published the following account on December 26, 1882.

Tragedy in Jefferson [Township]

The tragic death of young Joseph McFarland, of Jefferson, in this county, is a forcible instance of the danger attending the carless [sic] use of fire-arms. He started out hunting, the 17th inst., and that was the last seen of him alive. His dead body was found in the woods next day, his face and head blown to pieces with the charge, which seemed to have entered his mouth, the gun lying at his right hand, and the ramrod on the other. The inquest jury determined that the shooting was accidental, as no cause could be assigned for suicide, and the deceased was a quiet, steady young man, not likely to be impelled to self-destruction. He was the only support of his parents, to whom the event must be a terrible blow.

An earlier, shorter news item stated on December 23:

... from the positions the coroner's jury rendered a verdict of accidental shooting.

Joseph had not married and left no known issue. His place of burial is not known. Following is a copy of the longer news article that reported on this tragic death in my family.