On January 11, 1854, a tragic incident occurred in San Francisco, California, involving a 13-year-old boy named William Snyder. The circumstances surrounding his death or burial are somewhat unclear, with conflicting reports about the nature of the accident.

According to one source, young William Snyder met his unfortunate fate while in the presence of a circus clown. It is said that he was being swung by his heels, a perilous act that went awry. In this account, the cause of death is not specified.

However, another source, the Sacramento Daily Union, reported on January 13, 1854, the death of a 13-year-old named William Bernard, not William Snyder. This discrepancy may be attributed to errors in record-keeping or reporting at the time. The cause of death mentioned in this source is a pulmonary rupture.

It's plausible, given the similarity in age and timeframe, that these accounts are indeed referring to the same tragic incident involving a young boy. The inconsistency in the name and the lack of specific details in the available historical records make it challenging to ascertain the precise circumstances surrounding William's demise.

Tragedies like this serve as poignant reminders of the historical challenges in accurately documenting events, particularly in an era where record-keeping may not have been as meticulous as it is today. The unfortunate fate of William Snyder/Bernard highlights the importance of historical research and the need to piece together accounts from various sources to gain a more comprehensive understanding of past events.