A tragic accident in Morristown, New Jersey, turned a child’s innocent words into a family’s lifelong sorrow. In 1904, four-year-old Otto Britting saw his father’s shotgun standing in the corner and called for his mother to watch him “shoot.” Before she could reach him, the loaded weapon discharged.
The story is heartbreaking. A gun had been left within reach of a small child, ready to fire, and within seconds a playful imitation of adulthood became fatal.
Yet the most painful part of the account comes in Mrs. Britting’s final moments. Mortally wounded, she spent her remaining strength comforting the little boy who had accidentally shot her, kissing him and telling him not to carry the guilt into manhood.
The following article is a grim reminder that many historical newspaper stories were not merely strange or sensational. Some preserved moments of devastating domestic tragedy, where one careless decision altered a family forever.
Four-Year-Old Boy Shot Mother Dead
MORRISTOWN, N.J. — “Mamma, mamma, watch me shoot,” said four-year-old Otto Britting to his mother.
With that the little fellow ran to get his father’s shotgun out of the corner of the room, where it had stood at full cock since dawn.
“Don’t touch it, baby,” screamed the mother, rushing toward the boy. But already the gun was under the little fellow’s arm, and he was fumbling at the trigger.
When Mrs. Britting was two feet away there was an explosion and she fell to the floor, a charge of buckshot having torn through her abdomen.
Mrs. Britting lived for nearly two hours. She kissed and caressed her little boy and with her dying breath told him not to feel badly in later years over what he had done in a childish prank.
Source: The Washington Times. Washington D.C. July 13, 1904.
