Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1894-12-27
wARDE1L rlReo rHE sHoE


ffn was showing How Il dsevolver Acted,
VIXEN it Discharged, and bertha Pryor
Fell With Bullet in Her Abdomen
Taken to the homeopathic Hospital
Her Injury Regarded as Fatal
On Il cot in the HOMEOPATHIC Hospital,
Bertha Pryor, 24-years old cclored girl is
lying with bullet III her abdomen. The
girl is III u critical condition and very little
hope entertained for her recovery.
Edward Wardcll. II years old and
colored, is responsible for the girls pre-
carious condition and he is locked up in a
cell at the police station charged with in
voluntary homicide. The police have de-
clined to permit anyone to see the prisoner
until the police surgeon makes a diagnosis
of the case and reports the result of the
examination to the police department.
The shooting occurred on New Castle
avenue near the old Hazel Dell race course
about 8 p. III. Thursday. The girl was
sitting on the steps of her mothers house
nursing baby when young Wardell, her
lover, came up and sat down by her side
The girls mother came to the door and
Wardell was showing her new iive-shot
self-atting 32.calibre revolver be had pur-
chased. Mrs. Pryor stood looking 1T the
pistol There was Just light enough from
the doorway to enable her to see the
weapon. Its nickel mounting CLEANED
under the rays of the light reelected from
the open door and Mrs. Pryor was
startled when she first caught sight of the
pistol. She cautioned the boy to be care
tul with the revolver lest he might shoot
somebody
Wardeil merely laughed at the timely
warning saying that he was familiar with
the use Of firearms and the pistol wouldn't
hurt any one. He had hardly gotten the
words out of his mouth, when there was a
sudden flash. quick concusSi0n and
Bertha Pryor had pistol bullet in her
body.
She clusped her hands to her abdomen
and fell screaming at her mothers feet.
The baby dropped from her arms. Realz-
ing what he had done, young Wardell
made haste TO pick the girl up and with
the aid of her mother, carried her into the
house. Then attention was turned to the
baby. 1t lay kicking and squalling Oh the
ground. An examination of its clothing
discovered that portion OF its dress had
been shot away by the bullet, but it was
otherwise uninjured.
y hasty message was sent for DIR. Doane
who was prompt TO arrive and made am
examination OF the girls injuries. He
found that the bullet had struck her left
arm, was detlected downward in It's course
and crashed through the wall of the abdo-
men. embedding itself in the tissue He
pronounced the wound dangerous one
and ordered the girls removal to the
Homeopathic Hospital, where she lies in q
critical condition.
Inquiry ut the hospital Friday morning
oscertaincd the fact that the girl had made
u statement. eXoneratng her lover from
all blame and stating that the shooting
was entirely accidental.
After the shooting occurred Thursday
Wardell went to his home and, it is said.
attempted 10 take his own life. 1t is said
lie fired two pistol bullets at his head, but
his aim proved unsteady. He was not
harmed lie was arrested about 9 o'clock
Friday morning by Patrolmen Mclaughlin
and schell who took him to the police
station. He was locked up.
Friday morning Wardell was arraigned
before Judge Ball who held him without
bail to oawait the result OF the girls injuries