The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1871-03-16
A SHOOTING AFFRAY.


Man shot Tn nm AIdermnn's Once in the six
teenth Ward-DanEero UondItIon Of the
Wounded Man.
A shooting affray took place last evening at s
O'clock strange to say, in the Office of Alderman
Shoemaker, Mt the corner of Germantown road
and Vanhorn street, between two parties who
had been interested in the delegate election In
the Sixteenth ward.
The parties to the difficulty were Thomas f..
Wilson, said to be ex-sergeant- alarms OF the
House OF Representatives, but now employed
in the Navy Yard, and q. Washington Smith,
residing in the rear of 1868 Fraukford road. The
cause of the quarrel Is at present mystery, but
is supposed to have been, as stated, some dis
agreement as to the course of certain parties
engaged in the Senatorial delegate contest
Some words passed between the parties, and
they at last came to blows. Wilson is said to
have retreated and Smith followed him. Will
son. it is alleged, pulled out revolver aud fired
one shot at Smith, after which he ran into
Alderman Shoemaker's Office Qocated as given
above), where Smith followed him, the first shot
having missed in its aim. Arrived inside the
office, Wilson discharged three shots more all
of which took effect upon the body Of Smith,
one in the left breast and two in the right side
of the chest.
Smith was at once taken TO the Office of q
physician in the ueighborhood, by whom one
ball was extracted, The other balls were probed
for, but they were not found up to a late hour
last night. The wounded man was removed to
the Episcopal Hospital, and Wilson was ar
district, and locked up for hearing.
A report was circulated this morning that
Smith had died during the night. This proved
to be incorrect, but his condition is extremely
critical, and his physician has but slight hopes
of his recovery.
ANOTHER STATEMENT.
It's asserted by another authority that Wash
ington Smith has long been known as a dam
gerous character, and last evening he went to
Wilson's house, in Vanhorn street, knocked at
the door, and asked to be admitted, which re-
quest was complied with by Mrs. Wilson. Will
son. who was lying upon a lounge, was APP
preached by Smith, who said that he had q war
rant, and wanted him to go along. Wilson put
on his hat, and the parties went out of the
house. They had scarcely got few PAGES from
the door when Smith drew knife, and with
scme remark to the effect that "Now have got
you," made pass at Wilson with the weapon.
Wilson ran into the Office of Alderman Shoemaker
near by, and inquired of that official If he
had issued a warrant for his ar
rest The Alderman replied "No," upon
which Wilson made the remark, "Some kind OF
a job has been set up on me- and I'll protect my
self" He started for home, and when about
half square from the magistrates office he was
attacked by Wash. Smith, vino was assisted by
two others, Jacob aud Richard Smith. The
three Ren assaulted Wilson, knocked him down
and kicked him. He gained his footing, how
ever, drew a revolver, fired, and then ran into
the Aldeiman's Office, where he was followed
by his three assailants, who began again to beal
him. 1t was then that he used the revolver with
the effect stated above. He was forced to flee
to the second story of the magistrates dwelling
where he remained until an officer arrived and
took him in custody.