1 Dec 1964: The 28-year-old local father of four small children on Monday afternoon became Lebanon County's first 1964 hunting fatality when he was accidentally shot by a rifle in the hands of his 18-year-old brother. James Samuel Blauch, 319 Wilkin St., was reportedly killed instantly when a 30-30 rifle bullet penetrated his heart as he hunted in Union Township, Pine Grove RD 1. The rifle from which the fatal bullet was fired was reportedly held by Joseph Blauch, Myerstown RD 1. The mishap occurred about 4:30 p.m., Dr. A. H. Heisey, Lebanon County's coroner, said the shooting was accidental. James and Joseph Blauch are sons of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Blauch, Myerstown RD 1, formerly of Lebanon. The police report said Joseph was walking about six feet behind his brother when he stumbled and his rifle discharged. The bullet reportedly "went through the gun" held by James, entered his back, penetrated his heart and emerged through his chest. The two brothers were accompanied by their cousin, Samuel M. Blauch, 25, 318 1/2 Wilkin St. at the time of the accident. Mrs. William Blauch, 318 A Wilkin St., mother of Samuel M. Blauch, today said her nephew's death might have been averted had he followed the plea of her oldest son, William, 29, also of Wilkin St. "William was hunting with James and about 3 o'clock he said, ‘Jim, why don't you quit now and go home with us?' Jim said he wanted to hunt a little longer and William and his brothers left," Mrs. William Blauch said. Mrs. Blauch said her son, William, had to leave the hunting party early to keep a medical appointment. He was accompanied, she said, by his brothers, Melvin, 22, 320 Lehman St., and John, 17, at home. Their brother Samuel was with the accident victim when he was shot. The fatal accident occurred on a mountain path on the farm property owned by Melvin Hershey and tenanted by Mr. and Mrs. Melvin Barr. Blauch regularly hunted on the farm, according to a family member. The accident victim was described by friends as "a wonderful guy." They said he had been looking forward to the opening of the deer season on Monday for some time. His wife, Marilyn, said he was like "a kid with Christmas toys" as he readied his hunting gear Sunday night. "He just couldn't wait to go hunting. He had been looking forward to it for a long time," his aunt said. State Trooper peter Butsko of the Jonestown barracks, said the accident victim had his rifle over his shoulder as he walked about six feet in front of his brother, Joseph. As the latter stumbled and his gun discharged, the bullet penetrated the magazine on the rifle carried by James Blauch before it entered his back. Mrs. Barr summoned the Northern Lebanon ambulance after she was told of the accident. The site of the accident was described as about a half-mile north of Route 443. Lebanon County Game Warden Perry Hilbert assisted Trooper Butsko in his investigation. The accident victim had been employed for the last several months at the North American Refractories brick plant at Newmanstown. He had previously been employed at the Lebanon Paper Box plant and prior to that at the former Lustberg Mast factory. An army veteran, he entered military service in July 1955 and served in Germany with a paratrooper unit. In addition to his parents, Samuel and Dorothy Shiner Blauch, he is survived by his wife, the former Marilyn Stonebraker, and these four children: Debra, 8; Robert, 4; Lynda, who will be 3 in March, and Scott, who will be 2 in April. Also surviving are two brothers, Joseph and Samuel, both at home, Myerstown RD 1, and four sisters, Dorothy, Betty and Theresa, all at home, and Patricia, wife of Ronald Geist, Lebanon. [Lebanon Daily News]