Page:The Granite Monthly Volume 5.djvu/53

ANSON SOUTHARD MARSHALL. 39 Penacook Lake, West Concord. It appears that Mr. Marshall, with his wife and child, drove to the lake during the forenoon to pass a few hours there and join in a picnic which is annually field on the 4th of July. After spending an hour or more talking with friends in Tamblyn's Grove, he was invited to partake, with others, of refreshments, but politely declined, saying that he had brought his lunch basket, and thought he had better pass round to the side of the lake and have a family party under the trees. Arriving there he left his carriage, and spreading a blanket upon the ground, opened his basket for dinner. Just at this moment his wife heard the singing of bullets over their heads, and remarked it was dangerous to remain there. Mr. Marshall could see no one firing, and shouted to them to be careful. He then rose to his feet, and at that instant a bullet struck him in the abdomen, passing into his body. He exclaimed, "I am shot and fatally wounded," and sank down. His wife called for assistance, when two men from a party near by promptly responded, and taking him to his carriage drove him to Mr. Tamblyn's house, nearly half a mile distant. With the assistance of the men he walked into the house. A messenger was dispatched at once to the city proper for physicians, and five of them promptly went to the aid of the wounded man. The surgeons were unanimous in the opinion that he had received fatal injuries and could live but a few hours. While waiting for medical aid he was conscious, although suffering intensely. He was very calm, talking at intervals with those around him, and still impressed with the idea that he could live but a few hours, bade his wife and son good by. telling little Southard, his only child, to be a good boy and to care for his mother. The sufferer lingered until ten minutes past one, and then passed away.

There has been much excited discussion concerning the circumstances of Mr. Marshall's death. It seems that the City Guards, a newly formed military company of Concord, went to Lake Penacook on Saturday morning for target shooting. They went into a pasture bordering the lake, Capt. Putney stating that they had previously obtained permission, and put up the target. Their arms were rifles, carrying minnie balls. The firing distance is in dispute, but was probably about forty yards. Seven shots were fired, two of them by Capt. Putney himself, and the target shows the marks of seven bullets. Mr. Marshall was about one hundred and fifty feet out of range as the target now stands, and the officers say it has not been removed from its original position, and the theory of the police is that the fatal bullet after passing through the target struck an iron hinge and diverted from its course. The placing of the target where there was an exposed area in its rear, is pronounced an act of gross, if not criminal, carelessness.

The funeral services were held at his late residence on Pleasant Street on the following Tuesday. The services began with a chant by the choir, "Remember thy Creator." Prayer was then offered by Rev. S. L. Blake, which was followed by the hymn, "Jesus, lover of my soul." Rev. Mr. Blake then read selections from the Scriptures, and made extended remarks on the life and death of the deceased. He spoke of his many virtues, and the noble traits of character that had endeared him to his relatives and associates, and the integrity that characterized his life and won for him hosts of friends. He spoke in words of consolation to his bereaved family, and alluded to the great loss that was sustained by all in his death. The remarks were very appropriate and affecting.

The services closed with the hymn, "Heaven is my Home." A very large number of friends of the deceased were present to pay the last sad tribute to his memory, far more then could find places in the house, and crowds stood in the yard and about the house.

Among those present were members of the Bench, with a large representation of the Bar of the State, the State Senate, members of the Council, and the Board of Directors of the Concord Railroad.

The services were throughout very solemn and affecting. The funeral was directed by L. D. Stevens; Horace E. Chamberlin, Hon. Geo. G. Fogg, C. C. Webster, Henry P. Rolfe, Thomas Stuart and G. H. H. Silsby acted as pall bearers. The floral tributes were nearly all of beautiful fresh white flowers, disposed about the casket containing the remains. At the conclusion of the service the remains, which retained a remarkably life-like look, were viewed by