The Washington times., 1903-06-21
TROOPERS WILD SHOT
HIT WOMAN AFFAIR OFF
Bullet Went Hundreds of
Yards Beyond Target.
ACCIDENT ON ORDWAY RANGE
Fort Myer Cavalryman the Innocent
Cause of Injury to an Old Lady.
A Letter Of Complaint.

While the troopers from Fort Myer
were engaged in rife practice at the
ordway Range. on Thursday. a peculiar
although not in any way serious acci-
dent occurred one OF the raw
troopers who was on the range for
the first time Ared wild shot. and
instead OF hitting the target the leaden
missile struck a hillside far above and
beyond the bulIs-eye.
The bullet evidently struck a stone
and went through the woods for about
a hundred yards and then struck a
Mrs. Wheeler. who was standing on
the porch of William Knox's house.
AIRS. Wheeler. who is partially blind
and in comparatively bad health. was
struck just above the right knee and
temporarily crippled The range sur
gcon was informed OF the accident and
treated the woman and then reported
the matter TO Major Bell. of the Dis
tTict o. Columbia National Guard. who
has given the injured woman all the
attention that could be desired
Injury Not Serious.
Major Bell says the woman IS a
widow. her husband having died about
two months after their marriage He
/ says she was in comparatively destitute
circumstances and needed attention
The National Guard furnished her With
cot and a physician. and yesterday
she was able TO get out Of bed The
doctor IN attendance does not consi Ter
the injury as permanently serious. and
/ expresses the belief that she will be
well in a week or two. Major Bell mas
/ taken fruit 10 the injured woman and
done everything possible for her COM
fort and case.
Major Bell. approaching the gravity
, OF the occurrence and fearing that if
/ such n thing were to happen again an
/ Injunction might be gotten out By the
/ people living IN the vicinity Of the
range. informed Captain Brett. OF enc
OF the Fort Myer troops. that the
! troopers would have either TO mend
/ their ways with respect to wild shoot
ing or stop using the D. c. y. c. range
Complaint About the Range.
J. J. Crowley, OF Columbia Park.
Prince George county. has written the
/ 4SAiC"Alb itNAtI 10 ne ilIeS-
To the Editor Of The Washington Times:
/ Dear Sir: Permit me. through the col
urnns Of your valuable paper to call the
attention Of the powers that be to the
reckless use Of firearms at Camp Ord
way. a reign Of terror prevails In this
nCighborhCOd. Residents are constantly
in fear OF being either killed or manned
by flying bullets. and on that account arc
hiDdered from pursuing their daily avo-
cation. and are thereby deprived Of earn
ing a livelihood. Today Mrs Wheeler
a widow In the employ OF Mr. William
Knox. OF this place. while performing her
daily labor. was pierced by a Krag-
Jorgensen bullet. II entering one side OF
her limb near the thigh and passing
through the other. Though this is the
first time that anyone has been struck
the attention CT those in authority at tho
range has been repeatedly called TO in
stances where bullets have pierced the
houses in this vicinity. and though We
save been promised time and again thai
care would be exercised by those al
practice. they are becoming more anC
more reckless. Knowing that you ar,
ever ready to champion the cause Of tn,
weak trust that you VIII give this mat
ter the attention that it merits. through
the columns Of The Times
J. J. CROWLEY.