Ralph, son of H. P. Merrill, of Bay City, a former resident of Pontiac, while out hunting with a companion last Wednesday, on his father's farm, accidentally shot himself. The entire charge from the gun struck the unfortunate boy in the breast, passing out at his back and killed him instantly. At the time of the sad accident young Merrill was a short distance from Harry Gustin, and the latter, upon hearing the discharge, immediately started in that direction and had proceeded only a short distance when he was horrified to find his companion lying on the ground dead, and the gun beside him. Young Gustin gave the alarm, and physicians were soon on the spot, but of course their services were not needed. Ralph was 16 years old, a studentat the Orchard Lake Military Academy, and a very promising young gentleman