The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1896-12-01
A FATAL GAME.
A Shooting Follows Card Dispute at
RingtOwn.
JOHN GEHRKE DANGEROUSLY SHOT
Assailed by Thomas Welsh in the Barroom
Of Applegate Hotel-Both We're Former
Residents OF Town-A Warrant
Issued For welsh's Arrest.

The news Of shooting which may ter
inmate in murder reached this town from
Ringtown this morning The victim is John
Gehrke, farmer about So years Of age, and
the shooting was dong by Thomas Welsh, a
young man about % years of age. Gehrle
was shot in the neck His injuries are
serious and probably fatal. DR.. Rentschler
is caring for the victim
The details of the case have not been
CLEANED, owing to the poor means of COM
munication. Few of the farmers who drove
to town with their produce this morning
knew anything of the affair, but a special
received by the HERALD stated that the
shooting was the sequel to game of cards
Gehrke, Welsh and others played games at
Applegate's hotel in Ringtown last night and
at about ten o'clock a dispute arose and led
to a general row in which several blows were
struck and tho shot fired. 1t entered Gehrke's
neck and he dropped to the floor. The
fighting ceased and the occupants gathered
about the victim. The wound bled profusely
and Gehrke became unconscious. DR.. Rent
schler was called and arrived just in time to
save the victim from bleeding to death. After
receiving the physicians attendance Gehrke
was removed to room in the hotel and is
still confined there his condition being so
serious as to render his removal home
dangerous.
Both the victim and his assailant are well
| known in town. Gehrke was formerly a re-
sident of this place. Several years ago he
moved to the Catawissa Valley and pur-
chased the Beaver farm, which is located
about mile north of Ringtown Welsh was
formerly resident of the First ward and has
been employed on the farm of his parents
near Ringtown He is a frequent visitor ia
town in charge of the Ferndale dairy wagon
Gehrke has a wife and four children
A report received this afternoon stated
that at the time Of the shooting Gehrke was
assaulting Welsh and the latter drew the
revolver and fired in self defense.
A special received this afternoon stated
that Gehrke was still in a critical condition
and confined to the hotel. The bullet en-
tered his neck and, taking downward
course, is supposed to have lodged in one OF
his lungs.
Another story of the case which appears
to be well authenticated is that Gehrke had
been in Shenandoah during the day with
farm stock and on his way home in the
evening stopped at Appegates hotel He
there met Welsh and the two engaged
in game of cards A quarrel soon
"iN'O az" Iho S"ilN 9toPpSu' ouoItlN allcI
Gehrke went to the bar and called fora drink.
Welsh was standing at the reading room door
and, utteriug an oath, fired at Gehrke
Welsh had not given warning of his inten.
tion. DR., Rentschler is still of the opinion
that Gehrke's condition is critical warrant
has been issued by Justice StaulIer, Of Ring.
town, for Welsh's arrest and it is in the
hands Of Constable Breisch. Welsh dis
appeared Immediately after the shooting.
A report received from Ringtown at three
o'clock this afternoon states that DR.. Rent
scher says it is impossible to say whether
Gehrke will recover.
Welsh spent last night on the farm of his
parents and to-day returned to Ringtown,
when he was arrested by Constable Breisch.
He was taken before Justice StautIer and re-
leased under 81, 600 bail