The Monitor-register., 1897-06-04
NEWS AT THE COUNTY-sEAT.
SALEM, June Sd, Is

at the Penn's Neck bridge, when William
K. Headley was shot by his companion.
William T. Pedrick. The former was
fourteen years of age and the latter is
only seventeen years old. They were
temporarily left in charge of the draw
bridge, during the absence of John
Merrick, who was tending the bridge
during the sickness of his uncle, Edward
Merrick, the regular bridge tender. They
were in the cabin, when a pistol shot
was heard by Michael Dryer, who was
at the further end of the bridge. No
attention was paid to it at the time,
until young Pedrick ran into the store of
John Hall, at the corner of Second and
Griffith streets, and in al agitated manner
exclaimed to VIM. G. Clark, who was
sitting there, "For Gods sake come and
help get Willie Hesdley home, a man has
shot bim dead over in Ed. Merrick's
shop" Mr.. Clark secured the assistance
of Officers Weldy and Riley and went to
the cabin, where they found the lad
living on the floor in a pool of blood. DR..
w. H. Carpenter was summoned and was
soon at the place. He found the boy in
an unconscious condition with a bullet
hole in his nose. Doctor Carpenter then
sent for DR.. E. S. Sharpe. Upon his
arrival they discovered that the ball had
entered the tip of the lads nose and
lodged near the base ofthe brain. Headley
was taken to the home of his parents, on
Second street, where he died soon after
midnight, without regaining conscious
ness. Prosecutor Acton at once caused
the arrest of Pedriok and while closeted
with the Prosecutor and Detective Carney
he told two different stories as to how the
shooting occurred. He first said that a
man had entered the cabin and asked for
a.revolver to shoot a dog with, which he
furnished aim. The man then "pointed
it toward me and l darted back of the
counter. The man then told Willie to
throw up his hands, and pointing the
revolver at him shot him dead and then
Jumped a wheel and went out in PENIS
Neck" Pedrick then said "You think L
shot hin!" He was told by Mr.. Carney
that they did. Pedrick then said 81 will
tell you the truth about the matter.
Headley had the revolver in his OVID
hands when in some manner it
was discharged" His third story,
which is the most plausible one,
was told to his mother and Detective
Carney Tuesday morning and the
Coroner's jury in the afternoon. 1t was
that willie was sitting on a stool out
side of the counter. l was back of the
counter. 1 TOOK the revolver out of a
piece of canton flannel, cooked it and was
passing it to Headley when it went off
We we're going to shoot at a mark and
he was TO have the first shot. l do not
know whether I had my finger on the
trigger or not. Willie fell backward off
the stool, and said 'Ohy l did not intend
to shoot BIN. We had no quarrel"
Drs. Sharpe, Carpenter and Sherron
held a post-mortem Tuesday morning
and found that the bullet had entered
the tip of the nose and had taken nearly
a straight course, lodging in the base of
the brain. The revolver WAS a thirty two
calibre.
The Coroner's inquest was held Tues
day afternoon, the following composing
the jury: William J.. Freas, Lewis
Hoelzel, W. s. Bowen, W. Fl. Peterson,
| Alfred A. Jenkins and James Riley.
The verdict was: "We find that William
K. Headley came to his death on the
night of May 31st, 1897, by a shot from a
revolver in the hands of William T.
Pedrick. through criminal negligence
on his part by the careless handling of
said revolver. In our judgment be did
not intend to commit murder"
johnson Post, G. A. R., and the Junior
Guards observed Memorial Day on
Monday, by marching to the various
cemeteries and decorating the graves OF
their fallen comrades. At the colored
school, on East Broadway, a flag. the
gift of the Junior Mechanics, was ra Used
on the building. Rev. B. P. Hope
presented it to the Board of Education
and it was received by Joseph Miller
President of the Board. The Quintor
Cornet Band headed the parade. In the
evening Rev. ]. B. Wilton, Of Cramel
Hill, delivered the address in the First M
E. Church.
The day was observed in this city by
general suspension of business, and those
fond of baseball had the pleasure o
witnessing two games between the hom'
team and a Philadelphia club, the honor
being even, as each took a game.
Presiding Elder Wight will preach ii
the Broadway Nj. E. Church on Suuda!
evening.
Rev. William V. Louderbough, of the
First Presbyterian Church, will delive
a baccalu-eate sermon to the members o
the graduating class of the Salem Higl
School, on Sunday evening, June 90, a
$50 o'clock.
Twilight services will begin in to-
First Presbyterian church nex Sunda!
evening at $50 O'Clock. The Youuf
Peoples meeting will begin at 6 instead
of 6.15 and will continue one half hour.
The time for holding Sunday-school a
the Broadway M. E. Church has beer
changed from 2 o'clock to Ills a. m
Immediately after the morning service.
Pennsylvania Railroad summer EN-.
cursIOu Route BOOK.
THE cos MOMPLETE PUBLICATION OF
ITS KIND.
On June 1 the Passenger Department
of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company