Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1884-11-06
SATURDAY. NIGHT saoorlNe.
white MAN wounded by CoIored
H0d Carrier.


During. fight at the northeast corner
OF Eighth aud Church streets, about 10
O'Clock on Saturday night, James Loftus,a
laborer employed by the Diamond State
Iron Company and living at No. 7l9 Bsst
sixth street. was shot in the left leg near
the hip bone.
A reporter IF the GAZETTE visited
the scene Of the shooting aud also called
on Lotus. Many persons were inter
viewed in regard to the fight, but very
few would have anything to say, and
those who would talk told different
stories.
LOTUS vas found lying on settee in
the dining room ct his m J,hsr's home.
He received the reporter kindly, talked
In q subdusd tone aud to all questions
gave guarded replies. He said his
assallant ia colored bod carrier who ia
called "Pete" Where that individual
lives or what Ia his surname the wounded
man either did NOT know or would not
tell. His story Ia as follows:
~ aud some friends were standing at
the corner of Eighth and Church streets,
when several oolored msn came along and
halted on the opposite side Of the street.
One Of them, who was slightly intoxl-
Gated, expressed desire 10 fight, and we
went scross the street for the purpose Of
kidding him. AS we approached q
companion took him by the arm and led
him away. All OF his crowd save
Pete followed behind him. 'Pete' re.
manned standing on the corner and when
We got alongside Of him he made ssucy
remark. Our fellows then began to taunt
him, and he thrust his hand In his hip
pocket. As soon as l saw the maneuvre
walked around the corner. "Psts' fol-
lowed me and, leveling pistol which he
had taken from his pocket, fired. The
bail, which was Of 20 oalibre,
penetrated my left leg near the hip
bone. saw q fash and then felt SEN
sation similar to that produced by 4 kick.
At first l thought that / had been
kicked. AS soon as the shot was fred
erabbs hold Of the pistol, and after
bach my sasailsnt aoross the street |
succe, ed in Wrestling the weapon from
him. now have 1t In my possess on.
After being shot was able 10 walk home.
now walk about the house SONS, but
my physicians have advised me to keep
quiet"
| Whoh 4uoptAOhtu boNcihl htuon W bhe
reporte Lotus admitted that he had said
someih Z to his assailaet, but he siren
uousi, .eolared that "Pete" had no pro
vooAtio, to shoot him.
Some OF the people who were inter
viewed stated that "Pste" did not shoe
until after he had been hit in the head
with brick which was thrown by Loftui
or one Of his companions. Then again
there were others who said "Pete" wal
not struck with the brick before tn,
revolver had been taken from him
A few individuals are Of tn,
opinion that the fraoss was CAUSED b,
politics. "Pete's" residence was LOCATED
in threc places-beyond Eleventh stree
bridge, on Railroad avenue and In tn
"hoodle," a familiar name for Creole,
street In all Of these localities "Pete'
is unknown ~
At the police station, the rsporte
learned that "Pete" has not beei
arrested and that neither LOTUS nor hi
friends intend to have him arrested.
DR.. CRntwell probed for the bail OF
Saturday night, and he and DR.. Brow
performed 4 similar operation Sunday
but they did not succeed In tracing II
Blood poisoning ia the only danger whicl
they fear may arise. There is les
danger on that Hoore now than ther
would be II the weather were warmer
II blood poison should set in, 1t ia quit
probable that the wound will prove fatal