Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-09-18
HAROLD WEIGHMAN ARRESTED
Tragedy In the West End Brings
Sorrow to Two Families.
WAS THE SHOOTING ACCIDENTAL.
Testimony on This Important Point
Inquest This Morning.

City Coroner Taylor Will Hold m
Inquest This Morning.
Edward Julian Carter, the 14-year-old
son of Captain Edward Carter, of the
firm of Ragland & Carter, contractors.
and living at No. 1916 Floyd avenue, was
shot and mortally wounded by a play
mate, Harold Weighman, at the corner of
Floyd avenue and Harvie street, about
quarter to 6 o'clock last night. Young
Weishman was arrested
The shooting occurred on the roof of
an onthouse in the rear of the residence
of Mr.. J. II. Mauck, which is on the
corner, and is another story Of a boy and
pistol. From accounts given by the
boys VINO were present, the shot was de-
,iberately fired, though both families in
volvcd. and the boy who did the shooting,
claim it was accidental
1t seems that the boys in the neigh
borhood have fixed up what they call a
club house" In the shed, and congregate
there every afternoon to play. Yesterday
afternoon the crowd met as usual and
were amusing themselves in various
ways common to boys between the ages
CT II and 1e About ten minutes before
the shooting young Carter joined the
group, crawling to the top of the shed,
where they were at that time
ing was counted. and upon Carter's ar
rival companion asked him for one
He had but two. and these he handed
out Weighman failing to get either of
these. asked for another, and was told
by Carter that he had no more. There
upon. 1t is said, Weighman pulled out
the pistol and shot Carter.
Story of One of the Boys.
Young Mauck at whose fathers house
the shooting was done, and who was one
of the party. says Weighman snapped
the pistol five or six times and then said:
You think will not shoot you.' Then
he put in a cartridge and fired. Another
report is that Weighrnan fired without
warning or hesitation. The boy himself
says the pistol exploded.
All who saw the affair agree that
Weighnan shot deliberately The ball
above the right eye and, taking a diago-
nal course through the brain, fractured
the skull about three inches back of the
left ear. 1t did not come through, but
lodged in the shattered bone.
Found by His Brother.
The boy fell across the she'd where he
was shot. and was there found by his
brother who. realizing that he was
seriously injured, did not stop to lift him
down but ran for decor and called the
ambulance When he returned the in
jured boy had been lifted down
by priest. who hurried to the scene,
and moved to the home of Mrs. w. b.
Davis, who lived near by. Dr. w. Il
West was the first physician to arrive
and proceeded at once to do all that was
possible for the dying child.
The first knowledge the family had was
when younger brother ran in, Scream
ing that Edward had been shot and was
dying. Captain Carter rushed to the
spot, and finding his son had been re-
moved, hurried to the home of Mrs.
Davis, there to find his worst fears con-
iirmed.
Wishing to have him moved to his
home at once. he, assisted by Mr.. John
Lauer, and the priest, whose name could
not be learned. tenderly carried him to
his home around the corner The youth
fingered about two hours. dying at ten
minutes to 5, without having gained
consciousness.
The Family Reticent.
: Mrs Garter. after the first shock, bore
the ordeal we'll, and though still very
nervous was doing nicely at a late hour
last night. The family when seen on the
subject of the shooting refused to have
anything to say other than to give the
bare facts, as they understood them.
They withheld the names of the boys
who We're there at the time and stated
that they believed The shooting to be
accidental
Harold Weighman is the stepson of
Mr.. Henry G. Franklin, and lives at the
corner of Morris and Floyd avenue He
was arrested soon after the shooting
and taking to the Third Police Station.
When seen there last night he sdid:
Il had hold of one end Of the pistol, and
he Carter grabbed the muzzle; then it
exploded" Upon being questioned as to
whom the pistol belonged, he said: ''To
all Of US" His mother is prostrated.
George Maltern and Arthur Koiner are
summoned to appear as witnesse.
Wcighman BaiIed.
Young Weighnlan is a boy about H.
gentlemanly in demeanor, rather delicate
5S'NA riSoiN-
ing He seemed to realize the gravity of
his situation and apparently grieved for
his young friend. He was bailed for
his appearance in court.
In speaking of the matter of bail last
night Coroner Taylor said: II do not
see how they can bail in a case like this
1t is a judicial problem hard to deter
mine. and one does not know what to do.
The disposition and temperament of the
boy has to be taken into consideration.
and he should not be set free because he
is a boy. Some boys. are depraved and
commit homicide because of a mean. ma
Iicious temperament
The Dead Youth.
Edward Carter was member of the
Eighth Primary Grade of the West-End
school, and was taught by Miss Annie
Pegram. He attended the Sunday school
Of the West-End Christian church. He
wa well known in the neighborhood,
where he was popular with both old anu
Young. He was the next to the youngest
Of family of six children.
The coroner w. hold an inquest at
i o'clock to-day, when all the evidence
will be gathered and a verdict given.
The funeral arrangements will be an
later. |