The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-06-19
SHOT TWICE IN THE BACK
Mysterious Attempt at Assassination
Near, BOies Car Wheel Works.
MAY POSSIBLY END IN MURDER
william Gurd of Ash Street Was Crossing
the Ficid Near tho Doies Steel
Wheel Works and an Unknown
Man Shot Him Twice.

Something very mysterious at pres
ent surrounds case OF probable mur-
der that happened between 9 and 10
o'clock Monday evening in the field
near the Boies Steel Wheel works.
William Gurd. IN arried, aged 80 years.
living at log Ash street. on his way
home from Dunmore. was shot twice
by some unknown person and his condi-
tion is such that 1t is very difficult on
the part OF the physicians at the Lacka-
wanna hospital. where he is resting. TO
state yet whether he will live or die.
He is not unconscious, although very
weak. and the story he gives Is that he
was coming through the field near the
wheel works. II being bright, he no
ticed seated under tree a man and
woman. He believed that they were
enjoying the beautiful weather, and the
path along which he was travelling
toward home brought him quite close
10 the spot where the couple was Sit
ting. He did not recognize either OF
them. but noticed that they were
young.
lie Got Shot in the BACK.
The first intimation he had OF any
| danger was after he had gone fifty or
more feet beyond the spot, A thought
intuitively flashed upon him to look
behind. and there he saw the man run
ming to overtake him. He ran. too, and
his pursuer fired from q revolver two
shots, both taking effect.
The first bullet fired struck him I'm
the back part of the right shoulder and
~ a mo
'front.'. The second shot took effect in
the dorsal part of the right side in the
lower part and the bullet went into the
abdominal cavity.
The shock did not siacken his speed
and he ran with all his energy. The
assassin was behind him and Gurd
could hear the click of the pistol In the
EFFORT to keep up the firing Gurd is
sure that the weapon got out of order
and failed to work, or else he would
have been riddled with all the bullets
in the revolver. He ran home, which
IS not far away. and much of his life
blood had been lost; he was very weak
and soon became unconscious
Medical Assistance Summoned.
1t was . o'clock yesterday morning
when DR.. p. Fl. McAndrews, of Linden
street and Washington avenue was sent
for to attend him. The doctor stanched
the flow of blood and bandaged the
wounds. At the instance of Dr. Nc
Andrews, Gurd was sent to the Lacka-
wanna hospital. He was received there
yesterday afternoon and the surgeons
probed for the bullet that remains in
the abdomen. but did not succeed in
removing it. His condition last night
at u late hour was said to be much i'm
proved.
DR.. McAndrews was seen last evening
by Tribune reporter and gave out the
opinion that Gurd will probably die.
Gurd's Statement Taken.
Chief of Police Simpson was notified
and he went to the hospital and took the
wounded mans statement. the same as
it is given above. In corroboration, the
watchman at the wheel works says that
he heard shots at the hour this is said
to have happened.
The chief Of police has no clue to the
man who did the shooting, and alto
gether II Is puzzing case, If Gurd s
story be true. There may be something
more definite today.