The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1896-12-13
DESPERATE FIGHT
Simon Capps Fires -Four Bullets Into the
Body of Church Lewis.
BUT THE WOUNDED MAN STILL LIVES
Lewis once Bant Capps BrutnlIy-
The Affair Occurred at 1870 O'Clock
I'm the rning-TcstimOny of Wit.
nesses-Capps Arrested nnd Re.
fused Bail-Prisoncr's Statement.

The city generally. and the sporting
fraternity in partic ar We're startled
yesterday by the - ouncement that
Church Lewis had been shot and fatally
wounded by William, better known as
Simon. Caps in Tony Seel!nger's place,
on Talbot street.
There has been bad blood between the
two men for some time. growing out
of a row which occurred about three
years ago. in which Lewis beat Caps
in terrible fashion. almost killing hln.
Consequently when the two men met in
Seelinger's restaurant about half-pa.st
four o'clock yesterday morning, no one
knowing the two men well. was surpris-
ed at the tragedy which followed.
There are two versions OF the story
and evidence Is somewhat hazy as TO
how the row begun. but goes to show
that Capps was seated in the restaurant
ensued. Caps said. You did me badly
once, but will not let you do It again."
at which he began firing.
Lewis. the evidence shows, was un-
arnnd, and apparently to save himself,
clinched with Capps. who did not cease
shooting, and presently Lewis fell to the
floor. Every chamber of Caps l4-cali-
bre Smith & Wesson revolve. wa emp
ty. and his adversary was wounded in
four places.
POLICE TAKE, a HAND.
The Police Department was imme-
diately notified by q waiter In ;he estab-
lishment. Detective Arlington was sent
around. Capps had left the place. Lew
Is, lying on the floor, said TO the officer.
DO you allow man to be shot down
in this way" The detective blew a
double call. which brought Sergeant
Stevens and Officer Ha .ri:on 10 the spot.
The latter took charge of the room. The
Sergeant left in search OF Caps whom
he found at the Imperial Saloon, and
placed under arrest without opposition.
AT THE HOSPITAL.
Detective Arlington summoned the
patrol wagon, had the wounded man
placed upon sretcher and removed
to ST. Vincent's Hospital. where he was
taken to tho operating room. Lewis
wife and brother, John Lewis. were no
tilted. and were at the hospital almos,
as soon as the wagon.
DR.. Speight was at the wounded mans
side and made as thorough an eXamina-
tion as was possible. Lewis was con-
scious and able to tell something of the
affair He was suffering from shock.
but was not bleeding internally. One
ball had pa :sed through the arm at the
elbow, making ragged hole. Another
bullet had struck him in the centre OF
his breast, but the probe indicated that
W
not located al the time, and may posi-
bly, have glanced and run around under
the flesh
In the right side there were two
wounds. one in front and the other be-
hind. Between the two the flesh was
bruised and nearby. under the nesh
was found ball which the doctor could
move with his fingers, but did not deem
advisable TO cut out at that time
There would seem 10 be considera BILE
truth in the theory that the ball which
| struck the breast had glanced around
| under the flesh. for the fact that the
| man Is still alive. after receiving what
was apparently a fatal wound would
| appear TO indicate that the ball had not
entered the body beyond the outer files
When last heard from he was doing
| as well as could be expected" resting
easy. and expected to pull through
THE TESTIMONY.
The case was called in the Police
Court yesterday morning, the prlsonc,
being anxious to obtain bail. lie had ~.
cured Judge Thomas II. Wilcox 10,
| counsel.
I The first witness was Charles Knight
| who was with Lewis when he came in
He said in substance. that jus; before
| the shooting Lewis. telling him TO wait
went back into the room whe,e Caps
was and was presently engaged i'm y
hot argument with him. Witness said
| he went back 10 find out what was IN,
| matter and saw CappS aim his pistol AT
Lewis, saying, Get on your knees: /,
| which Lewis replied Fire cam;
| fired twice. Witness heard no othrl
| shots. Lewis cravat was afire when h.
| fell. Witness eXtincuishcd H.
A LITTLE DIFFE%RENT.
Tony Seelinger, who next testified. de-
! clared he saw Lewis shake his lis; i,
Capps face In the dining room. after