Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-07-29

DR.. John Coughlin. who formerly kept drug
store ct the corner Of 9Th and F streets north.
west, was held prisoner at the second pre-
cinot police station this afternoon for shooting
three small eolored boys, but the charge against
him had been left open because
none Of his victims had yet died,
although two of them we're
dangerously wounded They we're James
Craig, three years old, who lived at No. 1905
Madison street. and Edward Clutch, twelve
years old, whose parents reside at No. 1877
Pierce street.
The third victim was small boy said to be
named sprague, but he was not seriously in
jurcd. He ran away after being shot and the
police had not been able to find him ct 5
o'clock.
IN THE GARDEN.
The shooting occurred in the garden in rear
OF the Bates mansion, corner Of New York ave-
nue. and LIST street northwest
The mansion is at present occupied by Mrs.
Ransom, who Is . clerk in the Patent OAice.
She keeps a boarding house, and Dr. Coughlin
is one Of her boarders.
In tho garden in rear Of the house are .
number Of fruit trees and the boys in the
neighborhood have almost stripped some Of
the trees Of their fruit.
The three boys mentioned were knocking
pears from the trees about l:30 o'clock this
afternoon. So II is claimed, and the doctor,
who was at home at that time, discovered them
from his room window.
He could only see the legs of the small boys
through the trees and getting o shotgun that
belonged in the house he fired
EFFECTs OF THE SHOT.
The two boys who we're so badly injured re-
ceived a dose Of shot in their chests and faces
and wero unable to get away, but the third one,
it is said, had his arm peppored. He escaped
from the garden.
The injured boys were soon taken 10 the
Emergency Hospital, but the physicians, see
ing the serious nature OF their injuries. had
them sent to the Freedmans Hospital. where
they are likely to remain some time unless they
die.
PLACED UNDER ARREST.
Policemen Denny, Ferguson and wannell Of
the second precinct went to the house to
investigate the case, and DR.. Coughlin denied
that he did the shooting. He at first claimed
that Stacey Ransom. son Of Mrs. Ransom, had
hred the shot, but the officer after lengthy
conversation placed him under arrest
When the police station was reached he con-
fessed that he did the shooting
DID NOT MEAN TO HURT THEM.
When seen at the station this afternoon by
STAR reporter DR.. Coughlin said that he did
not fire at the boys with any intention of strik-
ing them. He did so only to brighton them.
He said that Mrs. Ransoms son had loaded
the gun with bird shot and he did not think
that the charge was enough to kill a sparrow.
II shot" he added, ''only to brighten them
Off as had said would watch the fruit trees
today"
THE POLICEMEN GOT THE GUN.
The officers returned to the house and found
the gun behind the bureau in the doctors room
and took it to the station as evidence.
The shooting created some excitement about
the neighborhood where it occurred and the
colored people were out in large number de-
nouncing the action Of the doctor in shooting
the boys.
Later this afternoon it was learned from the
hospital that the boys were resting easier, al
though the Craig boy was still unconscious.