The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-12-28
THE OLD GUN BURST
And the Boy Who Fired It
May Die.
Girls Face Lacerated by Skyocket. Half
Drunken Negro lnvades Mrs, Jerrells'
Home and Strikes Her Down.
Especial to News and Observer

Especial to News and Observer
Elizabeth City, NJ c., Dec. 26.-Quite a
number of accidents were reported among
the small boy celebrators. The most Sc
rious of these occurred on Fearing street,
where 4 large crowd of the youngsters
were greatly exerting themselves to make
all the noise possible. CASTOR Harris,
one of this number, had heavily charged
an old muzzle-lo ding gun, and, carrying
it into the street, tried to induce some
of the boys to shoot it, but they were all
scared, and after awhile Harris him
self fired it and with almost deadly re-
suits, for the load was heavy enough
to burst the old gun and splinters of
steel flew in all directions. When the
smoke had cleared away one of the boys,
John Stokes, was lying on the ground
bathed in blood. The firing of the gun
was witnessed by a large crowd, all of
whom Immediately rushed to the spot. The
boy was picked up and it was seen that
he had received an ugly wound just under
the left eye. He was carried to his
home, only a short distance, and a
physician was hastily summoned. When
the doctor arrived the condition of the
boy was found to be very critical and the
assistance of another physician was
called. The doctors, McMulla and Lums-
den, remained several hours endeavoring
to locate the splinter of steel, but did not
succeed. 1t was thought at first that the
eye had been destroyed, but DR.. Mcmillan
stated that such was not the case. The
brave little patient, who underwent the
lengthy operation without f1inching, was
resting so easy at that time that seem
ingly we'll founded hopes were entertained
by his parents, but these hopes were
dashed away this morning by a statement
made by one of the physicians TO the
effect that the condition of the patient
was much worse and that the result OF
the frightful wound could not possibly
be foretold.
ANOTHER ACCIDENT
Another serious accident occurred last
night on Main street. a number of girls
were standing on the veranda of O'Nears
boarding house watching the display of
fireworks in the street below, when some
one touched off huge skyrocket which,
instead of taking the usual upward course,
went crooked and into the veranda. where
it struck a Miss White in the face with
tions In a fainting condition she was
carried into the house, where she re-
ceived medical aid favorable report
was given concerning her recovery this
morning.
\ FIENDISH ATTEMPT.
A half drunken negro committed an
atrocious depreciation Wednesday night
on River avenue. The negro in ques-
ton was making his way along the said
avenue, and presumably not being salts
fed with the manner in which he had
celebrated Christmas, resolved to do
something desperate He crossed the
street to the residence of Mrs. Jerrells
and forced an entrance through the
front door. After gaining the inside he
commenced rummaging around, supposed
ly in quest of valuables, and made noise
enough to arouse Mrs. Jerrells, who, with
lamp in hand. came out of her bedroom
and nervily accosted the negro. Realizing
himself discovered, he became desperate
and made an attmpt to prevent himself
from being plainly seen by striking the
lamp from her hand At this Mrs. Jer-
rells screamed, and the freuzied brute
struck her down and made his escape
! for the time being. but, thanks to some
excellent work on the part OF the police
force, he was afterwards caught and
lodged in the county Jail. He was ar
raigned before Mayor Wilson next morn
ing. In the hearing he was positively
recognized by Mrs. Jerrells. He was re-
placed in the coop to await the Su-
perior court hearing. The incident Gre
ated widespread excitement and it was
at one time feared that violence on the
Iart of the crowd would be attempted.