The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1907-01-27
DR.. c. w. Townsend, New
York Physician, Shot Twice
Presumably by Burglar.
REVENGE MAY BE MOTIVE
WIFE OF THE INJURED MAN, Al
so A PHYSICIAN, WITNESSED
THE AFFAIR AND AT ONCE
GAVE HUSBAND AID.
Publishers Pressl

New York, Jan. 26.-Dr. Charles
W. Townsend of Staten Island was
perhaps MORALLY wounded, presuma-
bly, by burglar. The assailant es-
capped after the shooting Townsend
was shot twice, one bullet penetrating
the stomach and the other the hip.
The case is surrounded by mystery,
but it is believed Townsend was the
victim OF man who sought vengeance
for q real or fancied wrong. That it
was not the act of burglar, as at first
believed, is shown from the fact that
not single article was taken from the
house, although hundreds of dollars
worth of jewelry and silverware were
within easy reach. This is also borne
out by stories tod the coroner by DR..
Townsend and his wife. Mrs. Town
send witnessed the shooting. The
coroner declined to make known any
of the information given him by DR..
Townsend and his wife. To do so, 1t
is said, would tend to defeat the ends
of justice. From this statement it is
sailant is suspected.
DR.. Townsend and his wife were
awakened by a suspicious sound in
their bedroom and moment later
they were startled by the flash of
match, which revealed man holding
revolver. Leveling the revolver at
Dr. Townsend. the intruder ordered
him to arise at once, and then, without
waiting a moment, fired. The bullet
grazed Tovnsends body and buried
itelf in the bedclothes. Another shot
followed almost instantly and the bull
let entered Townsend's abdomen and
pierced the intestines. A third bullet
lodged near the heart.
Having thus completed his work, the
assailant fed from the room, ran
down the stairs and escaped, but how
he got out of the house is not known,
as every door and window was closed
when help arrived. When Mrs. Town
send tried to call assistance she found
two of the three telephone wires lead
ing to the house were cut. The third.
which was to the Office In the lower
part of the house, apparently was
overlooked. Over this wire a servant
in the stable was notified Of the shoot
ing and word was also given the po-
lice While awaiting the arrival OF
the police Mrs. Townsend, who is
dressed the wounds and
made preparations for the operation,
which she knew was necessary in the
effort to save his life. 1t is feared,
however, that even with prompt atten-
ton the wounds will prove fatal.
The police were unable to find any
trace of the man who fired the shots.
All the doors and windows were Sc
curely locked and no marks OF any
kind were left by the fugitive. De-
spite these conditions, however, the
coroner appears to be satisfied that
the man will be apprehended.
The Townsend home is scarcely half
4 mile from the home OF Charles L.
3pier, which not more than a wear ago
was the scene Of tragedy strangely
like this. Spier was shot in his home
during the night and died of his
1t was at first believed he was
the victim of burglar. but investiga-
ton proved that he took his own life.
In the Townsend home ut the time
Of the shooting there were in addition
TO Townsend and his wife his aged
mother and his four children, all OF
whom occupied bedrooms in the upper
part Of the house.
A close inspection revealed signs
that the intruder gained admission to
the house by forcing a window in the
Office on the ground fioo-.
Tracks were found leading from the
house to the waters edge, and it is be.
ieved the assailant after his crime.
made his escape in boat provided In
,dvauce f~- 49, ~~---roco