The Washington times., 1901-10-04
ELIZA CARLTON MAY LIVE.
The Victim of a Revolver Shot
Fired by Her Brother-inLaw.

Family Quarrel Nearly Results
in Trngedy-David Williams, the
AssaiIant, Promptly Arrested-rhe
Bullet PrObed for without Success
Eliza Carlton was shot in the right
breast yesterday morning by her brother
in-Iaw, David Williams, and was removed
to the Homeopathic Hospital in a criti-
cal condition. There the colored woman
rallied promptly and barely tiinched un-
der the probing for the bullet, which, now
ever, the surgeons were unable to locate,
even by means of the X-rays.
williams is the colored ianitor of the
National Guard Armory, and lives at 45I
n Street northwest, where the shooting
occurred. He is about thirty years of age
and has occupied the position as janitor
for twelve years, he says. Lieutenant
Byrnes and Sergeant LYDIA were specially
commended for their prompt work in
handling the case. Within eight minutes
from the time the shot was fired the wo-
man was occupying cot at the hospital
and the man cell at the Fifth Street po-
lice station.
Williams and his wife have been keep
ing a cookshop and lunchroom in the Gel
, lar of their house, and renting out some
of the rooms in the upper portion of
the building. For the past few months
Eliza Carlton and her husband who is
laborer employed on some street i'm
provements In the vicinity, have been
renting one of these rooms. Mrs Carlton
had leaned a number of her dishes and
cooking utensils to her sister, and they
were used in the cookshop. Wednesday
the Cartons moved to room across the
street. and yesterday morning Mrs Carl
ton returned to her sisters house to take
away the rest of her possessions.
When Williams came down shortly after
9 O'Clock he saw number of cooking
utensils in the upper hail. and asked his
wife, Lena, what they were doing there.
On being told that they were Eliza's, he
went down into the cellar. and for several
moments watched his sister-in-law pack
ing up her possessions. His wife fol-
lowed him down the stairs and went into
the kitchen, passing a woman customer
who sat at one of the tables in the place
at the foot of the steps. There were also
in the place Charles Brown. of al Ridge
Street northwest, a kitchen helper; Rich
ard Brooks, OF the same address, a wal
ter and James everett. a youth, who
has been living at the house and helping
about the place.
After a short silence, Williams asked
his sistcr-in-law: How many more
things are 70 going to take out of here?'
AN that you have been using of mine
she replied. AS Williams started up the
steps he shouted back to her: You peo-
pie have been worrying me long enough
to which she retorted in a way that an
gered him.
Without any warning, Williams pulled
out his revolver, and, from the steps, fired
at Mrs. Carlton. who with scream, fell
to the floor. Everyone in the place seems
to have made for the nearest exit, fearing
that Williams woulG IirC again. with the
exception Of Mrs. Williams. who helped
her sister to her feet and led her out into
the rear yard. Williams continued up the
stairs with the pistol in his hand, trying
To turn the cylinder. in order to bring
another cartridge into position, but in
this he failed.
Mrs Williams, observing her husbands s
intention, helped her sister over the fence
into the adjoining yard, where she fell
exhausted into the arms Of Mrs Agnes
Meeks, who was hanging up some clothes
in the yard. Eliza was followed by her
sister. who explained that the woman had
been shot. and asked that she might be
allowed to rest or the porch for time.
She was helped into the house, and word
Was Immediately sent to the stationhouse
around the corner
Lieutenant -3yrnes and Sergeant LYDIA
hurried around to the house. The lieu
tenant cared fer the wounded woman and
had her removed to the hospital. Ser
geant LYDIA. who had learned that the
shooting had been Done by the proprietor
OF the place entered the eating house and
found Williams in a room on the lower
floor. adjusting his collar.
What do you want?' Williams de-
manded. Are you the proprietor" the
sergeant questioned. Williams at first de-
MED his identity but was hurried to the
stationhOuse and searched.
The revolver vas found on top OF a
dresser in the house where the shooting
occurred, and is a poor quality single
action gun. Williams says that the
weapon does not belong TO him, but that
it was loaned to him while his own was
being cleaned by an Avenue dealer. VIII
liams, when seen in his cell, acted like
Of a drug. There was, however, no Odor
of liquor upon him.
When the woman reached the hospital
her pulse was very feeble but she quickly
responded to the stimulants that were
administered. The bullet was probCd for.
but without success. During the after
noon the X-rays We're brought into use,
and for over half an hour the search was
continued. The ribs. backbone and other
parts were visible. but there was no sign
of the bullet, and the examination had to
be abandoned.
The bullet is some where within the cav
ity of the right lung, but there Is no in
dicatiOn that the lung itself was pene-
is no inclination to hemOuhage. While
her condition is still considered serious
the principal danger anticipated is from
SeDSiS