Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-11-23
CoUNG SAM DAVIS SHOT AT*vINTON
WITHOUT PROPAGATION.
ACT OF UNKNOWN RoWDIEs.
It is Feared That the Lads Injuries
May Prove Futn1-Course of the
Bu1let-Those Roanoke Cows-The
week in notwithstanding.

BEDFORD CITY, VA, November 22-
(Special.)-N1r E. D. Gregory was sum
moned this week to Vinton on account
OF, a very serious accident to her nephew
Sam Davis, the eldest son of her brother
Mr.. George w. Davis, who about two
years ago left this place to engage in
business in Roanoke, and moved his
family to Vinton to reside.
The circumstances that caused the ac-
cident, if such it was, afford SO eloquent
an object lesson as to the necessity for
the rigid enforcement of the law forbid
ding minors to carry pistols, that they
may prove of general interest, and con-
tain & moral.
HOW IT OCCURRED.
Last Sunday evening Sam Davis, VINO
is bright, attractive youth or about TO-
in company with a friend, accompanied
two girls home from church in town anu
then turned to retrace their steps home
it being not quite 8 o'clock. AS they
were quietly walking through what is
known as the West-End of the little
village a party of youths appeared from
behind fence and began throwing
stones and then there were heard upon
the quiet Sabbath night air the sharp re-
ports Of three pistol shots. In the dark
and fired the shots were not recognized
but Sam received singing blow from
what he thought was sharp stone. and
when it became known that he was hurt
the attacking party fed. Sam then
walked to his home. the blood flowing
profusely from the wound, and it was
many hours before it could be stanched.
Next morning medical aid was secured
from Roanoke, and the physicians pro-
nounced the wound a very serious one,
the skull being fractured, as was sup
posed by the stone.
Wednesday thea doctors decided that
an operation would be necessary, and he
was carried to the city hospital of Roa-
noke, where most difficult and .delicarL
operation was performed by several
prominent physicians Of the city. 1t was
found that the wound had been inflicted
by 32-calibre ball from pistol which
had struck the skull on the right side
and been split by the bone, one half OF
which had been DETECTED. The other
half, with a part of his cap and hair
had penetrated through the skull tc
the brain, causing a very dangerous
wound. u5fsEaf gl
The operation was apparently an entire
success and the youth at last accounts
was resting quietly at the hospital and
Inc Physicians are nOpe1ul OIL MS TcCOE-
cry.
For the needless rufianism of a party
of thoughtless young men a bright youn:-
life now hangs in the balance and his
family are plunged in terrible anxiety
and suspense while heavy expenses IN
volved. And all because there was no
enforcement of law, and indiscriminate
pistol handling permitted. Thus far no
steps have been taken to discover the
author of the cowardly deed, which was
perhaps committed with no intention of
injury. but was the outcome of criminal
rowdyisln
The youth who was injured is of SIN
1arly g.ntle nature and was not know,
to have any enemies.
THOSE ROANOKE COWS AGAIN
To a looler-on the privilege accorded
the town COW Of Roanoke affords end
less amusement. In front of family
grocery on a business street a COW was
seen quietly helping herself to the con-
tents of a large basket Of fruit or vege.
tables, unGisturbed by the passers by
on the whirl Of business Or onward rust:
of the electric cars from which this
picture Of domestic comfort was viewed
Sometimes when a group OF. COWS become
engaged in deep bovine converse upon
the car track, it becomes necessary to
sup eile Iii. anu pOi!tciy invite lneN TO
dispense SO that the conveyance ma,
proceed upon it's journey
So mild and balmy has been the sea
son that nature is nlasQueradinG as
spring. IIilacs and jonGuils are blooming
and in sheltered spots strawberries and
raspberries have ripened. After a few
days of rain and cioudiness the sun h:>
again come out bright and warm, and
there is another suspension Of making
fires, a sort of repreve on the heat ques-
ton that has proved so painful sub
ject to ponder.
HERE AND THERE.
There is much satisfaction that Rev
J. W. Shackford and Rev r. B. Scott
have been returned to their charges in
Bedford by the conference of the Metho-
dist Episcopal Church, South
The new double track that is being
laid by the Norfolk and Western rail-
way has been completed to Ironville.
cast of the Blue Ridge Springs, and large
forces Of hands are at work along the
line of the road preparing the roadbed
for the new track. Much of the course
is blasted through solid rock, and the
work is slow and laborious.
The friends of Rev. Z. E. Lane will be
pleased to learn that he has recovered
from an attacl. of fever and is again
able to appear on the streets.
Lieutenant Wharton Griffin. son OF
Major and Mrs. S. Griffin. has been pro
noted to first lieutenancy OF artiiier,
in the United States army and is station
ed at Fort Leavcnworth. Kas Lieuten-
ant Griffin served in the army during
y. in N md t,,nI e;c