Ithaca, NY Cannon Accident, July 1845

DREADFUL ACCIDENT AT ITHACA.

THREE PERSONS KILLED.

On the 4th of July, a cannon was drawn to the brow of the hill East of the village of Ithaca, N.Y., to be fired during the marching of the procession. Gen. BOYD, an active young officer, was despatched to execute an order to the gunners. He dismounted, and was standing leaning with his right arm upon the horse's shoulder, with his chapeau in his left hand, looking calmly on the scene, when a tremendous explosion was heard, and the promising officer was launched into eternity, in the prime and vigor of manhood, and his body was stretched, horribly mangled, across the body of his fallen steed, which had been stunned by a fragment of the gun. A piece weighing about thirty pounds struck the general in the left breast and caused instant death. A MR. BENJAMIN escaped with a severe contusion in the abdomen.
In another direction stood a collection of men, through the midst of whom another fragment sped, charged with death, and selected as its victims two valuable citizens. Professor S. QUIMBY, and JOHN NIX, esq. MR. N. was killed almost instantly
being struck in the groin, the peice tearing the parts in that region, and laying his bowels entirely open. Prof. Q. was taken to the house of MR. DAVENPORT, when he fainted. He expired in great agony about 5 P.M. This sad event has cast a gloom over Ithaca, and the rejoinings of the day were greatly checked by the occurrence of this catastrophe.

The Republican Compiler Gettysburg Pennsylvania
1845-07-14
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Researched and Transcribed by Stu Beitler. Thank you, Stu!