Evening star., 1901-07-05
RECEIVES A SEVERE WOUND
MRS. McMURTRIE DANGEROUSLY
HURT BY STRAY SHOT.
The Rail- Removed by Emergency Hos
pftal Physicians Today-Paftent
in Good Spirits.

Mrs McMurtrie, widow of Medical Di-
rector Daniel McMurtrie, U. s. N. was shot
in the left forearm about $50 o'clock last
night while seated in the vestibule at her
home, No. 1913 10th street northwest. Inc
wound inflicted is a serious one and may
cause permanent injury. Mrs. McMurtrie
was conveyed to the Emergency Hospital.
where the wound was probed and several
pieces of bone and lead removed. The bull
let was not extracted last night, as the pa
tient was too much exhausted to stand the
operation.
Shortly after the shooting occurred the
police of the third precinct were notified
and Lieutenant Boyle detailed several Off
GERS to make an investigation of the case.
Captain Boardman this morning detailed
Detectives Muller and Baur to assist and
they made an early start to ascertain If
possible who fired the shot.
Mrs McMurtrie, who has been spending
the summer with her sister In New Eng
land, returned here a few days ago on buSi-
ness. She had completed that business and
had made arrangements to return to New
England shortly, but she will probably
have to remain here several days under
treatment. Last night about the hour
stated she was seated at the door enjoying
the fresh air. Her maid was also there,
and only a few minutes before the shot
changed seats a circumstance which was
most fortunate for the maid, but which re-
suited unfortunately for Mrs. McMurtrie.
Three Pistol Shots Heard.
People in the neighborhood of 10th and P
streets heard the reports of three pistol
shots, fired in rapid succession, but no par
ticular attention was paid to the noise, as
it was supposed to have been part of the
Fourth of July celebration. Mrs McMur-
trie felt singing or burning sensation in
her arm. She put up her hand and was
surprised to find her sleeve soaked with
blood. She then realized she had been shot
and informed the family of her neighbor,
Mrs. Lora White 1911 10Th street, of what
had occurred Mrs. McMurtrie was taken
into Mrs. Whites house and DR.. Tompkins,
who lives in the neighborhood, was sum-
moned. Upon his advice she was removed
to the Emergency Hospital, DR.. Tompkins
accompanying her. The services of DR..
Presley NJ. Rixey U.S.N., were desired by
Mrs McMurtrie, and he was summoned to
take charge of the patient He reached the
hospital with DR.. Anderson, also of the
navy, later.
nier, Stuart and Kuhn made an examina-
tion of the wound, and, stated, removed
particles of bone and lead but did not To-
cate the ball. The patient was then too
weak to undergo a further examination
and she was sent to a room on an upper
floor
The Bullet Removed.
This morning DR.. Vaughn performed an
operation and removed the bullet, which
was found between the bones of the fore
arm. One bone had been badly shattered
Mrs. McMurtrie stood the operation well
and was in good spirits this afternoon She
may remain in the hospital a few days
in order to give the wound time to heal.
The condition of the wound and bullet
make it apparent that the leaden missile
had struck some hard object before it
reached Mrs McMurtrie. Had not the
force of the bullet been lessened in this
way, it is believed injury causing the
loss of part of the arm might have been
inflicted.
Detectives Muller and Baur submitted
the bullet to Mr.. Devlin, an expert, and
he pronounced 1t to be of 45 caliber. 1t
is said bullet as is used in Springfield
rifles, and detectives satisfied that it
came from such weapon. These rifles, it
is stated, will send a bullet a distance of
], 100 yards. so that there is no telling from
what distance or from what direction 1t
came The detectives have an idea that the
person who fired the rife was at a long
distance from the house where the bullet
took effect They are satisfied that the
shot was fired by somebody who was cele-
brating the Fourth of July, but have not
succeeded in finding that person,