Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-02-13
TWO MEN KILLED.
A BoArswAIN DROPS A PISTOL AND RE-
CgIvFs A MORTAL WOUND.
Falling Earth Near Dolng's Hill Gives
Deadly Injuries to Poor
Laborer

Mr. Harry Semler, who lived al the corner
OF Twen'y-tbird and Main streets, met with
an accident shortly after noon yesterday
which resulted IN bis death few hours later.
Deceased had for number oi years been
employed by the Old Dominion steamship
Company either in the capacity OF boatswas
or engineer. lie was to have left on the
steamship Old Dominion, which sailed at
I. VI. yesterday, md early in the stternoos
he began to make preparations for his de-
uarture. After putting on his oyercoat nc
went 10 hrs bureau and took from a drawer
thereof bis pistol, which he was in the habit
OF carving witH him whenever he went to
New York.
THE PISTOL FELL.
By au accident the pistol dropped from
Mr. Semler's hand. aud when 10 struck the
floor there was an explosion which startled
the family a. well az persons IN the ueighoor-
hood. and Mr. Semlcr staggered and feil.
On,r one chrmher was emp'icd, and the ball
from this struck him in the lower right
groin, penetrated the abdomen, sud took
an inward course. The city ambulance
was summoned. and it .oon arrived with Ors.
Hone and Baker m charge. Upon their ar
rival they wanted 10 probe the wound to
locate the bail. but the ratient objected
whereupOu these physicians turned the casa
over 10 Or. " ilism r. Farrsr, the family
physician, who had arrived in tue mean
time.
LAPAROToMY PERFORMED,
DR.. Farrar al once became convinced thst
Nr. Semler was suffering from internal
heuorrhage, and knowing that unless tni'
was soon checked death would lneVltloly
result, he decided 10 resort % the opera
ton OF laparotomy aud secured the assist
snce ~ Dr. Isaiah II. White. Accordingly
they met AZ the residence OF the no" de-
ceased later IN the afternoon and performed
this operation, which Is rapidiy growing IN
the favor Of the profession and b7 which
quite a number OF lives have been saved
TWENTY BULLET-HoLFs.
An irclsion was made in the right side OF
the abdomen and tne injured part of the
bowels taken out, and. 10 the horror OF the
phys,ciars. they found mat the ball had per-
forstcd the int siincs i'm twenty ~ more
praces. and one section eight inche, m length
wa, puncmred 40 six different points This
wa. re,ected cut in tNo-1nd the Injured
par' removed.
The operation was concluded fbo1t half
pa.t q o'clock, and at s Mr.. >amler who
l. ~ INlII4 IfiIIf W - 1 lf' tAf Nf'li Nti'N
and ia the enjoyment OF peace and happ-
nes.. vas in Deaths embrace. Both DIS.
Farrlr and White said when seen ASS night
thlf they knew A. soon a. tley made an eN-
animation that 10 would bc 3 miracle II death
did not result in lev hours.
PERSONAL.
Deceased was about thiriy.siy years Old.
and leaves a wife and three children. lie bad
been tn the employment Of the steamship
company for ten or fifteen wears and was
very highly esteemed lie was member 81
Schiller Lodge, NJ. lo1. /. %. o +, which
orrau,zation will turn out in body 20 attend
the funeral, which TAKES place from The aie
residence of t1c deceased, ~. .2-, cast
Main s,reef. at 3 p. VI. tomorrow.
DEATH FROM FALL OF EAuH.
.cner.on DAVIS. colorod man twcnty.siX
wears Of a-e. va, killed Yesterday after ool
on Twentieth street between Broad and
Marshall.
A. thi. point Twentieth street ia being eX-
tcnd.d through Doiug's hli 10 Marshall
street. and deceased wa one oi q fogce of
hand. employed nY tne contractor. He wax
% work m 2..1 O'Clock 40 the foot Of cnt
which rose qorpcudicularly considerable
+ distance above him, an from the i1oe oi iOl'
/ cut a arer mass of earth became detached
and iell upou ban, breaking the let thigh
and crushing % psrt u tne cheek bone,
from winch injuries Boz died in shout 'n
hour. The Cor0ne, viewed the body, and
+ after diGeout Inquiries could 20, learn That
any one WIS 90 fault
Deceased came 10 ih.s city from Cumher-
| aud county about ten months ago, aad with
/ bis wife lnd family lived ou second street
/ near the peuituinry.
The body was placad in the hands Of m
undertaken and was carried 10 DaYis's bone.