The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-06-01
SHOOTING In THE DARK.
A Man and Woman Wounded.

At9 o'clock last night one W. S. Mitchell
was arrested at the corner of Delord and
Magazine streets, charged by Mrs. W. ID.
Smith with shooting and wounding her hus-
band and q woman named Mrs. johanna
Ford, who was at the time visiting her house.
A BULLETIN reporter visited the residence
of Mrs Smith, aud after an interview the fol
lowing statement from that lady was obtained
which was corroborated by her husband Mrs
Smith said I have for several months past
rented half of my house to widow named
Mrs. NJ. A. Lennox. Having lately observed
that she was drinking considerably and act
ing in an unbecomlng manner, l remon-
strated with her and tried to reform her.
Some time ago she became acquainted with
the man who shot my husband, and has been
on rather intimate terms with him. told
her this was not right, and as l have daugn.
tiers who are growing up, did not think 1t
proper that they should see such conduct
Mrs. Lennox has been supported by me since
September, 1874, and now owes me two
months rent which have asked for several
times.
This (Monday) morning heard that she
intended leaving the premises on Tuesday
when I went to market, and thereby avoid
paying the rent DUE Accordingly went into
her yard and asked her if it was so, when she
attempted to shut the door in my face. put
out my hand to stop her, when the man
Mitchell jumped out of her bed. and, rushing
to the door, raised his hand to strike me.
I then told him that would go for my hus-
band and would have him arrested, as he had
no right to come to that house, in q respecta-
BILE neighborhood, and act in that manner:
left the premises and went away in search OF
my husband, at his boiler shop. When we
returned Mrs. Lennox and the man Mitchell
had left.
thought no more OF the matter until to-
night As was sitting on the banquette IN
front of my door with my husband and Mrs.
Ford, the lady who was visiting me, when
suddenly Mitchell passed by and stopping
drew revolver. My husband and all OF us
rushed in the door and into the room, where
it was dark. Mitchell then fired in the door
when Mrs. Ford cried out, "Oh, am shot T.
NV husband ran around the room and got
in a position SO as to avoid receiving the
second shot, when Mitchell stepped in the
door and fred at my husband. l then got Q
light and found that Mrs. Ford was bathed
| in blood and had received q wound in the
back of the head, and that my husband had
been shot in the hip. Mitchell then ran OF.
Nv husband had no weapon and never car
ries one.
The prisoner Mitchell was then visited q!
the station, and the following is his version OF
the aft lir Some time ago became acqualnt-
ed with a woman living next door to Mrs.
Smith, and have ever since been going to see
her. On several occasions she complained to
me that Mrs. Smith had abused her and at
tempted to take advantage of her.
| This Monday morning was at the house.
and as she was going out of the back door,
Mrs. Smith was in the yard, and began to
quarrel and struck her. I pushed Mrs. Smith
one side. She cursed me and said she was
going to get her husband and make him blow
my brains out.
then went away, and when was passing
there tonight Mrs. Smith remarked to hel
husband, "There goes that -" Smith
then got up from where he was sitting, and
coming toward me, put his hands in hi
pocket, when drew my revolver and fired
Smith ran into the house and got behind tn.
door, 1 saw something in his hand ane
thought he was going to shoot me, when
fred again. don't know who hit.
Smith received q wound in the left hip, tn
ball striking the bone, glancing and passing
out, inflicting only q slight wound. Mrs
Ford was shot in the left side of the back 0
the head DR.. Logan attended them boil
and pronounced their wounds not dangerous
Mrs Ford was then removed to her residence
No. 80 Bourbon street.