The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1882-06-20
SUNDAY SHOOTING.
a Game of Draw Poker Brings More Blood
than Dooty-A Horrible Way to Spend the
Sabbath.

Game of Draw Poker Brings sIore Bloc,
than Booty-A Horrible Way to Spend th,
| sabbath.
Sunday afternoon between 3 and 4
O'Clock, while all good citizens were enjoy
ing in rational way the welcome rest
which the holy Sabbath brings, there
was being enacted in dingy, dirty
second-fl6or back room at No. 1922 east
franklin street scene which was dis
grace to civilization, and which Is sufficient
10 cause wonder that such things can exist
In Christian community. About the hour
named, and at the locality described, four
men were seated around table playing
what is known rs the
GAME OF POKER.
These four were all alone, with the ex-
ception Of one unfortunate who laid i'm q
corner OF room in drunken stupor.
How long they had played, or how much
money had changed hands, il is impossible
to tell, but in all probability the game had
been going on since the night previous.
In order that the reader may more fully
understand the matter, the statement OF w.
j. Faudree, one OF the participants in the
game, is given rs follows
We beverly Williams, proprietor Of
the room; John Phelps, J. J. johnson, and
myself) were engaged in game OF draw
poker. i dealt. and Williams was
THE ANTE-MAN.
johnson and myself passed out. leaving
the contest between Williams and Phelps.
Williams bet fifty cents on the game.
Phelps saw that and went one dollar better.
Williams called. When they showed their
hands Phelps saw he was beaten and grab
bed the stakes. Williams remarked that
that was q thieving way to do business and
that he would play no more. iIc then
gathered up the "checks" and was putting
them i'm trunk when Phelps started to-
wards him. Williams Immediately left the
trunk and took his position in the corner
OF the room near the door leading into the
passage, and
WARNED PHELPS
that il he followed him he CWilliams)
would shoot him. Phelps, however, paid
no attention to the warning. and advancing
on Williams, seized him by the throat with
one hand and aimed 4 blow at his head
with the other. Williams, true to his
word, drew pstol-a small ive-shooter-
and fired, the ball taking effect i'm Pheps's
face Immediately under the left eve. The
unfortunate man fell. and in 4 few moments
he became unconscious.
Officer Baker, OF the First district, hear
ing OF the shooting shortly after il occur
red, went up to the room. There he found
Phelps
LYING on TIE FLOOR
with his head in pool OF blood which had
flowed from the wound, and Williams
standing over hun. The officer asked,
:" Who shot this man ?" Williams promptly
answered that he did, and handed the Off
Ger his pistol. Williams stated further to
the officer that Phelps had cheated him ut
cards, but that ne did not shoot him for
that, but because Phelps had made an
assault upon him. Officer Baker took Will
liams into custody and carried him to the
First police station. In the mean time
news OF the shooting had beon sent to the
statlon-housc, and Officer IIarde was i'm
mediately sent up to look into the matter.
Arrived at the scene OF the tragedy the
officer found
ALARGE AND EXCITED CROWD
I'm front Of the house. Going up to the
room he found Phelps stretched out on the
floor apparently in dying condition.
The room was filed by tboughtless and
curious crowt, which orly added to the
already ppIc sive heat. The officer
promptly 20. rid OF the ntruders, and
procuring basin OF water bathed the head
OF the wounded man until the arrival OF
the ambulance. Shortly afterwards Phelps
was
PLACED on STRETCHER,
taken out 10 the ambulance, and conveyed
to the almshousc. When the physician in
charge OF the ambulance first saw Phelps
he gave il as his opinion that he only had
n few minutes to live, but up TO last ac-
counts the man was still alive but uncOn-
sciOus.
Williams is from Chesterfield, but has
been living in Richmond since shortly after
the war. lie is what is known rs
"sHoRT- CARD" MAN,
and has been running n "poker-room :"
where the shooting occurred for about
eight months.
Phelps is about iorty-eight years Of age,
and is a man Of family. lie is tobacco
factory operative by trade, but spends the
greater part of his time fishing. He is. 4
man Of bad character, having served two
terms Of Imprisonment in the pententiary,
the last time being for Notwithstanding.
THE CASE IN COURT.
In the Police Court yesterday morning
the case was called, and continued until
tomorrow in consequence OF the absence
OF the wounded man.
The physicians entertain some hopes OF
Phelps's recovery, although his condition is
NJ .r;t;ool