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General >> Project Goliath - The History of The Sling >> Killed by a stone from a sling
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Message started by David Morningstar on Oct 25th, 2008 at 6:07am

Title: Killed by a stone from a sling
Post by David Morningstar on Oct 25th, 2008 at 6:07am
http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?_r=1&res=9E0DEEDB173FEE3ABC4D53DFB566838B699FDE&oref=slogin


Quote:
March 5 1880 The New York Times

Killed by a stone from a sling

From the Columbus (Ga) Enquirer Feb 28

On Sunday as the excursion train on the Columbus and Rome railroad was returning from Pine Mountain, and when near Fortson's, some malicious persons on board shot a bullet or pebble from an Alabama sling at a negro boy standing near. It struck the boy, knocking him to the ground, where he lay in an unconscious condition. Upon examination it was found that his skull had been fractured. The officers of the road and others interested on hearing of the cowardly act, began endeavouring to find out the guilty party, but thus far without success. Yesterday the boy died from the effects of the wound. This is an outrage, and no pains or money should be spared to bring the guilty party of the deed to speedy justice. We understand that a reward of $100 has been offered for the party and it is to be hoped he will be captured. These slings are dangerous. Their work is silent, and the missile strikes without the least warning. The city authorities are doing their utmost to stop the boys from carrying them, and if the evil continues to grow the Legislature will have to take the matter in hand.

Title: Re: Killed by a stone from a sling
Post by StaffSlinger on Oct 25th, 2008 at 10:09am
Hmmmm... "Alabama Sling"... I tried to find a definition to determine whether this was our shepherd's sling or a rubber-powered slingshot.  No luck.  But I did find that Alabama Slings were prohibited in Savannah in 1878, and there was a big hassle over an "attempted murder" of some clerk by someone using an Alabama Sling or Parlour Rifle in the same time period.  Whatever an Alabama Sling was it seems to have gained a lot of negative notariety in a short span of time.

Title: Re: Killed by a stone from a sling
Post by David Morningstar on Oct 25th, 2008 at 10:30am
I have done some more reading: http://eh.net/encyclopedia/article/frank.international.rubber.market

It is rather close to the time when rubber started to be produced in industrial quantity. It started in the 1870s in Brazil. British rubber production in Southeast Asia started in 1888. I reckon it could well be a slingshot/catapult now.

I was previously going off the date for the introduction of pneumatic tyres which didnt begin production until 1890.

I wonder what rubber products were first turned into catty bands, if it wasnt inner tubes?

[EDIT]

The rubber band was patented and manufactured in 1845: http://www.therubberband.info/history.php

Athens-Clarke County Georgia: Sec. 3-5-16. Slingshots. No person shall use for amusement or otherwise any Alabama slingshot or any slingshot or similar thing in the urban service district. (Ord. of 4-7-92, § 8)  http://www.dumblaws.com/laws/united-states/georgia?page=20



Title: Re: Killed by a stone from a sling
Post by peacefuljeffrey on Oct 25th, 2008 at 5:35pm
So even then, people were stupid enough to try to control the tool and not the behavior.

Un-freakin'-believable.  >:(

Title: Re: Killed by a stone from a sling
Post by winkleried on Oct 26th, 2008 at 12:15am
Nothing new even at that date.

Look for the anti-bowie legislation of the 1830's-1840's if I recall correctly

Marc Adkins


peacefuljeffrey wrote on Oct 25th, 2008 at 5:35pm:
So even then, people were stupid enough to try to control the tool and not the behavior.

Un-freakin'-believable.  >:(


Title: Re: Killed by a stone from a sling
Post by David Morningstar on Oct 26th, 2008 at 4:21am

winkleried wrote on Oct 26th, 2008 at 12:15am:
Nothing new even at that date.

Look for the anti-bowie legislation of the 1830's-1840's if I recall correctly

Marc Adkins


The Man Who Fell To Jail?   Ziggy Stardust And The Prisons Of Mars?

Title: Re: Killed by a stone from a sling
Post by winkleried on Oct 26th, 2008 at 1:02pm
Bowie Knife

Marc Adkins


David Morningstar wrote on Oct 26th, 2008 at 4:21am:

winkleried wrote on Oct 26th, 2008 at 12:15am:
Nothing new even at that date.

Look for the anti-bowie legislation of the 1830's-1840's if I recall correctly

Marc Adkins


The Man Who Fell To Jail?   Ziggy Stardust And The Prisons Of Mars?


Title: Re: Killed by a stone from a sling
Post by peacefuljeffrey on Oct 26th, 2008 at 9:33pm
I got The Man Who Fell To Earth from the local library--fortunately, it was free, because I found it unwatchable.

Ugh, horrible movie.  Like watching the acid trip of someone who was never that creative in the first place.

Title: Re: Killed by a stone from a sling
Post by Thearos on Feb 28th, 2009 at 8:40pm
what a disgusting story

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