Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1889-10-21
SHOT DEAD.
WILLIAM PLATT Is KILLED BY A BALL
PROM A TARGET GUN
Ia hs Hands Of 8 Lad Named James A1l-
larksy-Two Stories as to How The
Sad Affair Occurred.

i very stu hCclurAt o~CuAASA 1AN N.lAA
wells run, last evening, which resulted
in the death Of a young man named Will
liam Platt
Il appears that young Platt and a
friend named James Yernot, went out IN
to the country some time during the day TO
yet wslnuts. Platt borrowed wagon
from Mai. Wright to which he attached his
own horse, and the two rode forth on their
Journey with never suspicion Of a
thought of how terribly it would end.
About 8 o'clock the two boys were re-
turning with q good sized load Of wslnuts,
ard when about a mile from the city they
overlook a party Of boys named James
Mullarkey, Michael Gallagher Harry
Morrow, Thomas NulToy, Frank EVERY
and William Jancke, who were returning
from a hunt for chestnuts.
Young MullOrkey carried a small target
rifle which he and his companions had
amused themselves with shooting at birds
and targets, during tee day, and as the
wagon came near be said:
Here's my chance to get ride into
town"
He then left bis companions and fol-
lowed the wagon, placing the gun across
the TAIL board. There are several stories
as to what then followed, but in some
way
THE GUN WAS DISCHARGED,
and young Plats, who was driving, threw
up his hands and fell forward, his head
resting on the front wheel Of the wagon.
He never uttered a word. The ball had
done lbs fatal work, and a stream Of blood
gushing from q small wound on the back
of bis head told the story. When assist
ance arrived the brain Of the unfortunate
young man was OCzipg out through the
wound. lie was Immediately taken 70 his
home and Drs. Pipes and AokeTmann sum-
mOned
But i. was useless The doctors. how.
ever, made sn examination and found that
the ball, which was from twenty
cahbre snort dynamite cartridge, such IS
are used ia target rifles, had entered the
back Of the head slightly to the right Ct
the medium lire, piercing the brain.
Chief of Police Delbrugge was at once
notified, and be Immediately went out to
the home OF the unfortunate lad, which Is
located on toe side of the hill, above the
toll gate. Officer Spiedel went to the
home OF young Mullarkey, on South Nc
Culloch street. where the young man had
gone Immediately after the shooting. The
boy, who was IN a sad state Of
EXCITEMENT AND FRIGHT
was placed under arrest, but was allowed
TO remain there while the officer notified
Coroner Schultze The coroner, being I'M
able % reach The house at that hour Of
night. set the inquest for $50 o'clock this
and committed young Mullarkey
10 Jail until that time.
A REGISTER reporter saw the lad last
evening. and be could hardly talk for sobs
choking his voice. DO didn't want TO
talk about the matter, but atter some per
suasiOn said
al had hold Of the wagon and my gun
was resting on the back part with the muz-
zle pointing toward the seat on which
Platt and Vernon were sitting. Platt
struck at me with his whip and the gun
was discharged. I dont know whether
the whip caused the discharge or whether
the gun struck against the wagon, as
attempted TO Jump back. l did not have
my hand near the trigger, but bad hold OF
the barrel This was about all Mnl-
larkey had TO say.
The boys who were with him were also
interviewed. and they said they did not
hear what passed between Mullarkey and
Plat. An they heard Mullarkey say
Tas that here was a chance for him to
ride. He and the wagon were some dis
lance ahead Of them at The time the shoot
ing occurred.
THEY SAW THE GUN
resting on The wagon, saw Platt strike at
Nrnl1arkev heard the repOrt aud saw Platt