The Washington times., 1901-07-05
ASOCIE4Y WOMAN INJURED
Mrs. Daniel MclIurtrie Wounded in
the Arm by a Spent Bullet.
Suddenly Manned while Sitting i'm
Front of Her Home. Viewing Fire
wOrkS-Taken 20 Emergency Hos
pitnI-Loss of Blood HnIts Probing.


wOrIs-TaESen 90 Emergency Hos
pitaI-Loss of Blood HnIts Probing.
Mrs Daniel McMurtrie. widow of a
former medical director in the United
States Navy, who was wen known in this
city. was seriously injured shortly after
O'Clock last night by being shot in the
left forearm by stray bullet from an
unknown source. She was sitting in front
OF her home. 1911 sixteenth Street north
west. when the accident occurred.
Mrs. MCMurtrie accompanied by maid.
reached this city only a week ago from
the North, where she has a summer home.
Shortly after 5 O'Clock last night, owing
TO the intense heat she proceeded with
her maid to the veranda of her home, on
Sixteenth Street to watch the display of
fireworks.
They had not been seated very long
before Mrs. McMurtrie changed her posi-
tion to the seat previously occupied by
the servant Almost at the same moment
three sharp reports rang out as if fired
from a pistol. Immediately following the
last report the maid was alarmed by hear
ing her mistress scream. and was startled
by seeing the blood stream from Mrs. Nc
Murtrie's left arm and satUrate her gown.
Frightened beyond control. the maid
seized Mrs. McMurtrie and ran with her
10 the home of Mrs. Lola White. next
door. Mrs White and a few friends were
also sitting outdoors enjoying the cool
breeze when they were startled by the
appearance OF Mrs. AIcMurtrie, in a gown
stceaked with blood. She sobbed loudly
as -he pain of her wound increased. Mrs
White hurriedly summoned DR.. Tomp
kins. her family physician, by telephone
After making an examination OF the
wound. DR.. Tompkins telephoned for the
Emergency Hospital ambulance, in which
Mrs. McALlrtrie was driven rapidly to that
institution, accompanied by DR.. Tomp-
kins. The resident surgeon Immediately
placed the patient upon the operating
table They were somewhat mystifed at
first as to how she had been injured.
owing to the terrible size and condition of
the wound There was in her left fore
arm a badly torn hole as large as a half
dollar. At first they did not think bull
let could have caused such an aperture
Before the probing for the bullet was be
gun DR.. Tompkins, who is member of
the Board of Directors of the Emergency
Hospital, telephoned, at Mrs. McAurtrie's
request. for DR.. Rixey. Considerable time
was spent probing for the bullet. but
without success. Mrs. McMurtrie was not
given any anesthetic during the ordeal,
and it was decided to cease the operation
until she gained greater strength, as she
was greatly weakened by the loss of
blood
When Dr. Rixey arrived at the hos
pital accompanied by DR.. Anderson, u.
S N. Mrs. McMurtrie's wound was thor
oughly examined, after which she was
placed in ward. Today the surgeons
Il sv- 4 hot 2 ~1,.1--
may locate the bullet. which they believe
TO be embedded in the bone of the arm.
In the meantime the police of the Third
precinct were notified of the affair and
an investigation was soon under way. A
policeman was sent TO Mrs McMurtrie's
home. but found no one there, the maid
having left shortly before to visit the
hospital. Many OF the residents in the
vicinity were questioned. but the police
were unable to learn anything definite
concerning the accident. A few of them
stated that they heard three shots fired
IN rapid succession. followed shortly af-
terward by the cries of the injured
woman. but were unable to state who
fired the revolver The police are Of the
opinion that the -llet that struck Mrs.
McMurtrie was spent one fired by some
person considerable distance away. and
If such be the case IL viii be a difficult
task TO locate the person responsible.
II was stated at the hospital last night !
that Mrs. McMurtrie was doing nicely, 4
despite her painful injury, and that no I
serioES result is anticipated The physi- /
clans wiz make another attempt today 10 I
locate the bullet
Mrs McBdurtrie had almost completed I
the business which brought her to this 4
city and was about ready to return TO 1
her summer home. She is well known in /
this city and the news of her misfOr-
tune caused general sorrow among her i
many friends last night, several OF whom 1
visited the hospital TO enquire about her
condition.