A Grimsby Indian, Harvey Silversmith, 21, was shot and killed near Little Valley, N.Y., last Thursday, by a hunter who, according to a report from the sheriff of Cattaraugus County, mistook him for a bear.
The dead youth was a son of Fred Silversmith, who resides on Baker's Sideroad, North Grimsby Township. The father said that his son left Grimsby about 4 months ago. There was some suggestion at that time that he was going to join the United States Army, but he had apparently not done so.
The parents were notified of the shooting by Chief of Police William Johnston who had received a telephone call from the U.S. sheriff asking that arrangements be made for member of the family to claim the body.
The sheriff said that the shooting occurred after a group of children had reported seeing a bear swimming in the Allegheny River. Laverne Redeye, 19, another Indian youth, went to the bank of the river with a 30-30 rifle, thought he say a bear moving in the bushes along the bank and fired, according to the sheriff. Silversmith was hit in the jaw.
The Canadian had been visiting relatives on the Alleghany Indian Reservation, the sheriff said.
Dr. James Happell, the county coroner, said he would issue a certificate of accidental death.
