Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-07-03
RIFLE SHOOTING IN COURT.
How Justice German Exposed a
Willy Destroyer OF Proving Cats.
From, the Nelo York WJrH.

From the Ne,o York Worth.
William Dunning, retired merchant
living at No. 10 West one Hundred and
Twenty street, was before Justice
German in the Harlem Court Yesterday,
charged with shooting cats and birds from
the rear windows of his residence. The
complainant against him was Loren j.
True, young broker residing at No. IA
West One Hundred and Twenty-ninth
street, and he had as witnesses Mr.. and
Mrs. Forester, who live on One Hundred
and Twenty-eIgth street, in the rear of
Sir. Cummings house, and Mrs. A. futile,
Il neIghbOr. The charge mad first been
made on June 20, when Mr.. and Mrs. For
roster said that they had seen Mr.. Dun
ming poke the muZZle OF small gun
through the shutters at the rear of his
house and shoot at cats and birds. JUS
tice German then adjourned the case
until yesterday.
when Mr.. Cunning, who is a small.
gOOd-natured looking old gentleman, en-
tered the court room yesterday he carried
n box, from which he took small gun of
- calibre. This he placed upon the mag
istrate's desk, together with a box con-
tanning what were, to all appearances,
blank cartridges.
"You see, judge" said Mr.. Dunning,
''these cartridges are not loaded with
bullets and used them to trighten away
cats. 1t would be Impossible to Kill any
thing with one of these cartridges" aud
he beamed benevolently and triumphantly
at the Justice and ladies who had APP
pesred to testify against him.
''Ihey do look innocent enough" said
the Justice, as he picked up one of the
cartridges and looked at it carefully, "but
to satisfy me, Mr.. Cunning, you will
please put one of these cartridges into
that gun and fire at that board partition"
pointing at some woodwork which ran
across the room. Mr.. Cunning turned
red in the face az he placed the shell in
the rifle, and turning to the Justice said
that he thought the report OF the gun
would startle the ladies too much. They
protested thatthey were not in the least
alarmed, however, and Mr.. Dunuing, lev
cling his gun, fired. Then he glanced at
the artition and smiled. Not a sign OF a
bullet mark was to be seen.
There" exclaimed MIR. Dunning,
''there was nothing in the cartridge but
powder"
Justice German was not satisfied with
a superficial glance, however, and, rising
from his chair. went to the partition and
examined 1t closely. His vigilance was
rewarded by finding that one end OF the
woodwork was honeycOmbed with small
bird shot. Then one of the cartridges was
carefully opened and the cap was found
TO be half filled with bird shot. Mr. Dun
ming looked sheepish, while everyone else
smiled. Mr.. True said that all he desired
was Mr.. Dunnng's word that he would
harm the cats and birds no more. This
promise was readily given. Justice Cor
man dismissed the case. As the party
was leaving the court room Mrs. futile
turned 10 Mr.. DuLning and SAID: "NOw
that the case is settled, won't you please
tell me, MIR. Dunning, II you shot my poor
cat?"
"Mv dear madam" replied the old gen
tleman, 1.-THE court has just acquitted me
OF serious charge-that OF killing cats.
Would you want me to proclaim myself a
murderer? Nothing would please me
more than to satisfy your mind as TO how