The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-08-25
HUSBAND SHOT BY
INDIGNANT WIFE
W. R. McVay Seriously Wound
ed by Mrs. McVay,
OCCURRED ON SECOND AVE.
Woman Charges Husband With inf
deity and Shoots Him On the
street-Newly Purchased
Revolver Used.
OCCURRED ON SECOND AVE.

wounded yesterday afternoon by his wife
In front of McVay's saloon on Second
avenue, near Twenty-second street, their
5-year-old boy. Willie. being an eye-wit-
ness of the tragedy.
A family complication rs said to have
been the cause of Mrs. Mcvay's despe--
ate attempt on the life of her husband
Yesterday morning Mrs. McVay visited
Bessemer. where the father Of her hus-
band resides She called on him, 1t is said,
to discuss family troubles. she then called
to see her brother. NJ E. McWilliams, al
SO Of Bessemer, but what passed between
them is not known. Returning to Bir-
mingham she went to the office Of Capt.
Frank s. White. her attorney, with whom
she remained In consultation for some
time.
Discussed Divorce Question.
The object of her visit to Captain White
was discussion of the advisability Of
entering suit for divorce against her hus-
band. Captain White. In an interview
given out after the shooting, stated;
Mrs. Mcvay called to see me in regard
to instituting proceedings for divorce
against her husband who, she claimed,
was unfaithful to her. She was very much
wrought up at the time and appeared to
be in a very excited condition. so. to
gain time and allow her TO become more
calm, asked that she have some of her
witnesses call on me. This she promised
to do, and then left my office. The next
I heard of her was when 1 received a
message to call at the office of Chief
Wier to see her. did not know until L
reached his office that Mr.. McVay had
been shot"
Leaving Mr. whites office, Mrs. Nc
Way visited a sporting goods store and
stated that she wished to purchase pis-
toll The clerk to whom she applied asked
the proprietor whether or not to sell her
the weapon, and stated that she did not
appear nervous or in any way excited.
After concluding her purchase she used
the telephone In the store. at the same
time stating to the proprietor that she
wished the pistol as protection to her
self and her children. She said that Mr..
Mcvay did not come home until late at
night, and that she needed some Pro-
lection. After having the weapon, which
was of the Hopkins q Allen make,
charged to her husband. she left the
store.
The Shooting.
About half past 1 o'clock Mrs. Mcvay
appeared in front of the saloon of her
husband on Second avenue near Twenty
second street, leading by the hand her
little 5-year-old son. A moment later. ac-
cording to accounts. Mr.. Mcyay stepped
from the door and stopped to take his
little son in his arms. Then the neigh
borhood was startled by a pistol shot,
followed Immediately by another. as the
indignant wife attempted to end the life
of the man whom she claimed had been
unfaithful to her Both bullets took eff
feet and caused serious wounds. but the
injured man had strength enough remain
ing to turn and flee through his saloon.
Holding her little child by the hand and
with the smoking revolver firmly grasp
ed the frate wife pursued him, and fired
a third shot as her husband ran up the
alley-way in the rear of the saloon.
Crowd In Street.
Hundreds of people ran to the scene.
attracted by the pistol shots. and the
street was almost blocked by the crowds.
Policeman A. d. Brown. who was on his
beat nearby, pushed his way into the
saloon, and placed Mrs McVay under
arrest. sending her in company with her
little boy to the office OF the chief of
police by officer Culpepper. who was
passing in buggy at the time.
Mr. Mcvay, with bullet lodged in his
right breast and one in his hip. turned
into the alley and ran. staggering. to
the Victoria hotel, where he went TO
room and sat down on the edge of a
bed. He seemed to be suffering greatly
and was very weak when a physician ar
rived and made an examination of his
wounds. GREEN'S ambulance was called
and McVay was taken to st. Vincent's
hospital, accompanied by his son, Pleas
ant McVay, and DR.. Dawson.
$4,000 Bond.
On the arrival of the prisoner at police
headquarters. a charge was made out
against her of assault with intent to MUIR
der, and her bond was fixed at 5000. She
remained in the office of Chief Wier,
where she ate her dinner, until her
brother, w. e. Mcwilliams OF Bessemer
and her attorney called, when the bond
was made by these two gentlemen.
Desk Sergeant Shirley who was in
charge OF the office when Mrs. McVay was
brought In, says that she was very much
wrought up. but did not appear sorry for
what she had done. At her request, he
called Captain White over the phone and
asked him to come TO see her.
Eye Witnesses Statement.
w. b. Hancock. an eyewitness of the
affair. gave the following account of the
shooting: II was standing in front of the
Silver Moon restaurant when I saw, a
woman come down the Avenue, leading
a young child by the hand. 1 saw her
stop in front of the saloon, and beckon
to Mr.. McVay, who was using the tele-
phone, to come outside. He hung up tho
receiver and stepped out upon the side
walk, STOPPING to pick up the child. A.
moment later the woman drew revolver
and placing it close to his breast. fired
one shot. which was followed almost i'm
medately by another, as Mr. Mcvay
Strengthened up. He then turned and ran
through the saloon, with the woman,
holding the smoking revolver, in hot pur-
suit"
Officer Brown, who made the arrest,
gives practically the same version of the
affair. He said 81 ran to the saloon as
soon as I heard the shot and forced my