The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1877-09-14
PISTOL PRACTICE.
An Ex-PenitentiaIy Convict Shot In
the Jaw.

Tuesday evening Mr. Thomas McCor-
mick, the Market street liverymsn, while
driving out the pike, and when st point
between Elm Grove and Limestone, about
four miles from the latter place, his buggy
broke down. He succeeded, however, IN
driving the buggy to the blacksmith shop
of one Mike Riblett, near by, to nave
the necessary repairs made. BY this tine
il WAS quite dark, and Riblett not deslr-
ing to work on the vehicle that nj hit, IN
vited Mccormick into the house TO stay
all night, stating that he would repair
the buggy in the morning Soon alter,
Riblett left his house to go to Elm
Grove on an errsnd, and requested NC
Cormick not TO retire until his
return. At late hour Rlblett re-
turned to the house in half drum ken
condition, with bottle OF liquor, which
be handed to his wife, who is enctente,
and ordered her to give him drink.
She poured out glass o: the liquor ana
handed il to her husband, who suddenly
arose from the chair on when ne hau
seated himself, and struck her power
full blow with his open hand, telling her
10 the floor. Mccormick demonstrated
with the brute tor striking the woman,
and especially when she was IN such
condition. This enraged Riblett, AMI
through the effects of the bad whisky ne
had drank, the green-eyed monster, Jeal-
ousy, entered his soul, and he threatened
to kill Mccormick, At the same Time
starting for gun which was IN the
room. In the meantime, Mrs. Rlblett
had escaped from the building, and NC
Cormick had also backed towards the
door, through which he fled as soon as
Riblett seized the gun. Once out
side the building, McCormicK es-
capped INTO eorntield closely pur'
sued by the drunken man. oul
darkness favored HIM, and he TOOK
refuge in a SAW mill near by and eluded his
pursuer. who returned to the house soon
after. Here Mccormack renamed IRON
one o'clock Wednesday morning unit
daylight, when he sailed forth and sue
ceeded in getting his horses away from
Ribletts premises without detention.
Taking them to the house OF neighbor'
he related the circumstances OF the anair,
and requested gentleman who was there
To 90 to Ribett and get the buggy, nj the
same time ordering his breakfast. Inc
man returned from Ribletts, stating that
he had threatened TO chop the buggy 10
pieces, and had renewed his threats |"
XIII Mccormick, which was confirmed toy
Mrs Riblett, who had entered the mousse
in the meantime, and also brought the
additional information that her husband
had armed himself with large KNIFE.
In a short time after the arrival OF the
gentleman sent after the buggy, kielell
himself came up to the house where
Mccormick was, the latter gentle.
men being out in the yard, and the
threats we're renewed, Rlblett attempt
ing 10 take gun from young man
passing by on II hunting expedition 10
shoot Mccormick. Failing in securing
the gun, RlbIett drew the large KNIFE
which he had concealed about his per
son, and advanced towards Mccormick,
who commenced stepping backward ana
warned him to keep away, ut the same
time drawing pistol. Rlblett ADVANCED
and Mccormick uhNlHS paINON W
against fence, fired at his adversary,
who wheeled about and walked SNORT
distance, when he fell to the ground,
bleeding profuseIy. Riblett was Mt once
carried INTO the house, physician sum
moned and his wounds examined, Wheh
it was ascertained that the bullet mad
entered the left side of his jaw, glanced
around the side of his face and lodged III
the rear of his head, nj the base OF the
skull. At last accounts the wounded man
was not considered to be dangerous, and
the general impression in the nelghbor-
hood was to the effect that the shooting
WAS iustifsblc, as Riblett was considered
u dangerous character, having served {"
term of four years in the state Penlten'
tiary for shooting II man. Mr.. McCor-
mick Is now IN this city, but has not yet
been arrested, although it necessary, can
easily be had The above are the facts
As near AS we can learn them; although
here NAV be some discrepancies.