Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1896-04-22

SHOT DOWN At HIS DESK
DaStardIy Deed of a Discharged
EmpIoye.
HARRY W. ENGLISH A VICTIM
Of William N. GentIe's Unwarranted Anger
Dogs and Policemen on the Would-Be
Murderer's Trial.

Yesterday morning about $3.50 o'clock
as Mr.. Harry W. English, master me-
chanic of the Birmingham Railway and
Electric company's shops. at Tenth ave-
nue. and Fourteenth streeth, north, was
sitting in his office he was shot twice by
w. NJ. Gentle, a former employe, who
afterwards shot at Mr. Joe English, an
uncle of Mr.. Harry w. English, ana
then made good his escape.
Word was sent at once to police mead
quarters and to DR.. Copeland. and soon
the latter, accompanied by Dr.. Talley'
was on the scene In the meantime the
city officials wired to Coalburg Tor uoss
and went themselves 10 the shops
The Warner Smiley ambulance was or
dered and Mr. English taken to the Hill
man infrmary, where Drs. Copeland ana
Talley dressed his wounds II We
found that he vas shot twice the III
ball entering the right leg Just eeloW
the thigh, breaking the bone, ana the
latter striking him in the heshy part Oh
the thigh, going through both tnigns'
but not striking bone.
About II o'clock a negro arrived with
dogs from Coalburg and they were al
once put on the trail Mounted deputy
sheriffs and policemen We're turned out.
In about an hour the dogs rounded up
man who was on his way to creek for
the purpose of fishing, but he proved TO
be the wrong man. At latest accounts
the man had not been captured.
Mr.. English Talks.
The wounded man was seen at the IN
Urinary by a state Herald reporter yes
terday afternoon, who got from him the
following account of the unfortunate cir
cumstance, wherein, 1t seems ne was
the innocent victim Of an angry ana oes-
perate man.
Mr. English stated-that w. nj. Gentle
had been III his employ as a car repairer
for two and half years. and the best OF
feeling had always existed between
them on Friday last Mr.. English told
Mr. Gentle to put car on the trucks
as soon as possible, as he wanted II Tor
use on the East Lake line on SUNDAY
He then went out to wreck on the Ems
lev line. On coming back two hours Ia
ter he found that Mr.. Gentle had not
done anything toward getting the car IN
readiness. He demonstrated with Gehtie'
who left the shop without SAYING any
thing.
on Monday he returned, and Mr.. Eng
lish told him he would not be needed any
longer, as the company had ordered the
force cut down. Gentle made some ugly
remarks and then left. Yesterday morn
ing. AS Mr.. English was writing at his
desk. Gentle appeared in the doorway of
the office with a pistol in his hand and
said, "Mr. English!' The latter looked
around and seeing his danger, attempted
to rise, when Gentle shot. Almost lmme-
diately Mr.. Englishs leg gave way, and
he fell to the floor, and Gentle shota sec
ond time and left the office.
The Third Shot
AS Gentle left the office he saw Mr.. Joe
English coming toward the office and
pulled down on him, fortunately without
result He then made for the woods, 60
ing In the direction of Jonesvile
The Wounded Man.
Much Indignation was expressed in the
CITY when the news of the shooting had
been sent the rounds.
Mr.. English has been the master me-
chane of the Birmingham Railway and
Electric company shops for long time,
and Is highly thought OF by all VINO Know
him. He is known to be courteous and
polite to all with whom he has dealings.
At last accounts he was resting very
we'll.