Evening star., 1902-09-11
IN DANGER OF DEATH
CoLoRED BoYu DANGEROUSLY
WOUNDED BY7HIs BROTHER.
Physicians Probe In Vain for the Bull
let-shootine the Result Of
a Dispute.

A bullet hole In the region Of his heart,
from which serious results are apprehend-
eo' FRANK Butler, seveate year-old col
oreo poy' Is Frustrated at his home in Oxon
HILL Frlnce Georges oounty, Md, not far
soutn OF Anacostia. In the same house.
almost always by the boys bedside, is
Halph Butler, fifteen years old, who, con-
fesses to having inflicted the wound which
threatens his brothers life. In the country
Town OF oXon Hill, adjacent to the home OF
the butlers, practically everyone knows OF
the shooting, but no judicial inquiry into
the case mas been yet made nor has the
matter peen called to the attention Of any
one having authority to investigate 1t. The
residents OF the locality explain this condi-
ton OF local affairs by the statement that
s Justice =. Ct Wright long ago removed
from the town to Washington, his depart
ure pelns soon followed by the resignation
or constable James Grimes who had served
lhe oXon Hlli district in this capacity for
aornnar numoef o;1,:y OF years The places of these
lormer omclals remain to be filled.
In the meantime Dr. E. p Simpson of
Oxon Hill is endeavoring to save the
wounded boys life, but as the bullet is still
iooseo IN the person Of the patient, and, as
IL passed within one-quarter of an inch
Of the heart he has grave fears of co,npu-
cations that may result in Buffers death.
Cause of the Trouble.
The shooting took place Tuesday evening
at the home of the principals and in the
absence of the other members of the house
hold. The boys had obtained possession of
an old book, and in reading a dispute arose
as TO the meaning of certain statements it
contained. In the course of their argument
Tue Younger brother, it is said, applied the
term Ilar to Frank, whereupon the latter
promptly cuffed the others head Robert
became nercely angry at this treatment and
nurriedly secured his fathers razor, with
tne aVo"ed intention of cutting Frank, but
ing the razor
Gun threatening and in a rage, the young
e[ p0y next had recourse to a club with
Wnlch 10 assault Frank, but this was taken
away from MIN also. Then it was that Rob-
ert rushed up the steps and secured a %
cailber rifle, which was loaded Returning
10 the Kitchen he pointed it It his brother
VINO was standing about four feet off. and
puiied the trigger. The elder boy staggered
a little way, and then with the cry, you've
snot me, ran out on the Oxon Hill road
"here he sank exhausted to the ground
Unable to Locate Bullet.
Dr. Parker was called to attend the
wounded lad. but probed in vain for the
bullet. Dr. Simpson, who had also been
sent for, arrived about this time and re-
moved the wounded boy to the Butler
nome where he unsuccessfully endeavo
TO locate the bullet.
The condition of the wounded boy was
reported last night to be not entirely salts
factory. DR.. Simpson said, in speaking of
the case, that 1t was too late to perform
an operation now In the hope of saving the
LAD life. All that can be DONE he said. is
TO dress the wound and treat symptoms as
they arise.
Ralph Butler is 1t is stated. much grieved
over his act He performs his usuai, dailV
tasks about the Butler house, and appar-
entity has no fear of getting into any trou-
Die over the affair. Even If his parents de-
Sl1ed TO give h.m into custody, they do not
know to whom to apply. The bows are ths
sons of Albert and Alice Butler, laboring
people Of the neighborhood