‘Paul Brunner’ Accidently Shot On “Kelley Island” – 1932
Paul Brunner Accidently killed on ‘Kelley Island’ – 1932
Missoula Man Is Victim of Gun Accident
Paul Brunner Killed When His Rifle Is Discharged On Island in Missoula River West of City
Was Employe of Local Bakery
Officials Forced to Ford River to Bring Body of Well Known Missoulian Back to City.
Paul Brunner, 50, 313 Strand avenue, an employe of the Eddy bakery, lost his life in a gun accident on Kelley island, seven or eight miles west of the city, Sunday morning.
Brunner is believed to have stumbled in the brush and accidentally discharged his 30-30 caliber rifle. The bullet struck him on the shoulder and took a downward course. The accident occurred about 11 o’clock in the morning.
Brunner, a baker, and George Davis of Third street in Orchard Homes, went out with their rifles Sunday for target practice. Both were employes of the Missoula plant of the Eddy bakery.
They left the Davis home at the end of Third street and went down the river in a boat. They had crossed the river several times and on the south shore, on land of Dr. G. T. McCullough they separated, Davis starting toward the river and Davis going into the brush (sic).
They were not more than 50 yards apart, according to Davis, when he heard a shot and heard his companion call out, “Oh, George.” When Davis reached Brunner, the latter was lying face down, unconscious. Examination of the body revealed a hole in the shoulder. An empty shell was found in the gun lying close by. A tree root in the brush indicated that Brunner had stumbled and fell.
On account of the nature of the country it was necessary to bring the body across the river to the Dick White ranch from where it was brought to Missoula.
Ward Jones, acting coroner, Sheriff Charles Sharpe and others were at the scene. At one stage of the efforts to get the body across the stream the party started to ford the river in Mr. Jones’ car. The engine became flooded when they were in midstream and it was necessary to secure teams to take the machine out of the water. The occupants marooned besides Mr. Jones were Donovan Worden, county attorney; Ralph Simmons, Harry Hahn and Mr. Davis. Sheriff Charles Sharpe and Deputy George McCauley were on the south bank of the river.
The body was brought to the Marsh & Powell undertaking place here.
Coroner L. H. Powell, who returned to the city during the afternoon from a hunting trip, announced that an inquest would not be held in the case.
Mr. Brunner is survived by his wife and two children.
The above article appeared in The Daily Missoulian on October 24, 1932.
George Davis was an uncle of mine and a renowned hunter and outdoorsman.
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