SOURCE: The Times of Franklin, Aug 07: 15-Shilling Musket Inflicts Death Court records dated 5 Sep 1791 tell of an inquisition into the death of Wm Webb. The inquiry was held at the home of Theodorick Webb before coroner SWINFIELD HILL. The body was viewed and oaths were given by Joshua Rentfro, Showers Price, Adam Hilton, Wm Eubanks, Bartlet Wade, Poindexter Toney, Jacob Prillaman, Peter Gearhart, Melcher Waggoner, Theodorick Webb Sr, Joel Walker, Enos Miles, Charles Minnnix, Baxter Lee, John Hale, Moses Rentfro "good and lawful men of the County." They were ordered to consider "when, where, how, and in what manner the said Wm Webb came to his death." Their decision seems to be that a musket Webb held in his hands went off, making a single entry wound 4 inches from his right nipple (striking the heart area?) and exiting his back in four pieces. He died about 11 hrs later. Interestingly, the price of the weapon is often mentioned in court proceedings, even when the victim is not named. For instance, you will find the value of a razor used by a man to cut his own throat given in court proceedings published in our latest Killin' book. Here's what the men said, under oath: "On the Main Road near the halfway Spring by accidental Shott by a musket gun of the value of 15 shillings which fired in his own hands from which he the said Wm Webb rec.d a mortal wound about four inches from right nipple which entered his body in one hole and came out near his back in four, of which mortal wound in about the space of 11 hrs he died." The coroner accepted the Jurors' decision and asked them to sign their decision. It was entered into official record by James Callaway at the Oct term of court.