Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1899-09-23
lsed Ills tim.

GSSA AftS QAAe
4 Ssspaslng aslFay teok place at the
Queen ssfees crossing 81 the L. u O. on
Aeanss eTtHsags ID which I0hn
Thompson attempted u shoot tic watch
snafl u me crossing, The following are
sass as lsafaed
i MS a short time alter SIX o { oek that
thompson drove up TO The gates ii tne,
y. 4 " Queen street crossing. and found
gsthsm dowa. MIR. James Hartley. Of Boyd
avenue. Who is the nighi watchnan al the
crossing WAS just putting up his gate
lights Tor The nignl. thompson who
I lives about two niles from town on the
Warm opring read had been in town dur
/ ing The day and mad BEEN drinking freely
and was somewhat under the influence Of
liquor. On account eff being detained Tor
some time he became enraecd and as MIR.
Hartley returned from the gate on the
north side OF the crossing. alter having
\ finished lighting his lamps. 10 lei hlua
cross. Thompson started 20 abuse him.
He said he was getting tired Of beng de-
tanned az the crossing everytimc he want
ed to cross. With these wo DIS he started
10 cross over.
Tie was just over the crossing when an
accident happened 10 his wagon. TIE
bolt dropped out Of the shaft and caused
him TO stop This caused him to become
frenzled and no sooner had he stepped
! from the vehicle than he started toward
the Matchbox with the determination of
venting his spleen on MIR. Hartley. He
started 70 quarreling and blamed MIR.
Hartley for the accident TO his wagon.
MIR. Hartley did not argue the point
with him, and picked up his coat and sho
gun, which he had taken to the Matchbox
with him, preparatory to taking hunt
ling trip. and entered the Matchbox Just
at this time Thompson drew a revolver
from his pocket and fired through the
window at the Waterman. MIR. Hartley.
as he saw him point the revolver through
the window. stepped aside just as he pull
ed the trigger, and the bullet missed its
mark, MIR. Hartley escaping unhurt the
bullet passing through his clothing.
Thompson after iiring the shot, saw
MIR. Hartley making for the door and went
around to the front OF the building with
the intention OF firing second time, but
Mr.. Hartley shut the door and he did not
hre. Thompson remained about the
place for some time and repaired his
broken shaft with piece of leather.
Word was telephoned to the Mayor
office and Officers Dutrow and Pitzer start
ed for the scene of the disturbance.
Thompson it is said. reloaded the empty
chamber Of the weapon when he climbed
! in the wagon and laid ii on the seat be-
side him, as though he would do some
one an injury II they attempted TO arrest
him.
A warrant was issued for his arrest and
Officer Hollis and pitzer started for his
home. They met him coming back 10
town and placed him under arrest and he
was brought to town and locked up in
jail
This is Thompson's second attempt TO
take the life Of fellow man. About three
years ago it will be remembered he shot
and seriously wounded Mr.. VIM. Nickel
vey, at Rhodes saloon on East Martin ST.,
shooting him three times in the stomach
He was held for court on the charge, fined
SIoo .and released. He is bar
Der by trade. but has been living on a
small farm for some time.
/ Thompson was given preliminary
hearing before justice Martin Thursday,
at GAS O'Clock a. m. At the hearing he
acknowledged that he did the shooting,
but said he did il in self defense. He
said MIR. Hartley pointed the shotgun at
him and he shot to protect himself.
All the evidence was against Thomp-
son and Justice Martin held him for the
action OF the next grand jury upon a bond
of $500. Thompson did not give the nee
essary bond and was remanded to jail.