Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-07-04
Victims of Firecrackers Sup.
ply Work for Surgeons.
WAS HURT WHILE IN BED
James H. Mccarthy Shot in the Hil
at Midnight.
VIOLATE THE REGULATIONS
Some Cinnamon Among Those Who
Indulge in Premature Celebra-
tions-Incidents Of Day.

Several thousand residents of this cit!
were unable to keep their firecrackers ant
other fireworks until today but last nigh
they sailed forth and violated the pro
visions of the police order. Two or thre'
dozen Of the several thousand violator!
of the law fell in the hands of the police
but in some sections Of the city, 1t ap
pears. the police paid practically no at
tention to those who were celebrating
The small boys who were arrested were
sent to the house of detention, while thu
older persons were taken to police sta
tions. Even some of the Cinnamon, who
usually observe the law. were unable tt
resist the temptation to set of explosives
last night. and they were required to de-
post collateral for their appearance ir
court. Members Of the police department
visited places where fireworks were SOLD
at retail last night and saw that the ex-
plosives were not exposed in such way
as to threaten damage. They also warned
oheying the provision of the law against
the sale of explosives to minors.
1T is simply impossible to comply with
all the provisions of the law. retall
dealer remarked to a Star reporter. 1t
simply a case of rush business and some
lated
Sales Greater Than Usual.
While the police and fire departments
started out with the intention of short
ening the time for the retailing and en-
deayorine to decrease the number of fire.
works, sold and exploded, the dealers say
the sales this year were greater than
usual. Some Of the dealers had larger
supplies than heretofore. but the demand
was SO great they found their supplies
were not large enough to meet IT, Deal
ers say they will have fewer explosives
left over this year than formerly Some
of the larger dealers will return their
surplus stocks TO the manufacturers,
while others will use them in neighbor-
hood celebrations at a late hour tonight.
Cinnamon it is said, never return or hold
any stock over from one year to another,
and it Is because OF that custom that
chinatown is always the scene Of at
tractive displays toward the closing hour
Of the Fourth.
Police officials predicted yesterday that
today would be an unusually quiet one.
but early reports this morning indicated
it would be much livelier than usual The
several hospitals were in good shape to
care for victims. The first Fourth Of July
casualty-the shooting of James A. Nc
Carthy-occurred only about one minute
after midnight, while the next was not
reported until after o'clock. Mr.. Nc
Carthy. sixty-eight years Of age, en-
ployed as a machinist IN the navy yard
and residing at 748 18th street southeast,
retired last night after IL O'Clock. re-
manning up late because of the noise in
the neighborhood. He had been asleep
only a few minutes when he was awaken
ed by a singing sensation in his left hip.
Inficts Serious Injury.
An Investigation showed that a bullet
had crashed through the window screen
and inflicted a serious wound. No occu-
pant of the house heard the report Of
the pistol, and 1t was impossible for them
to tell whence the bullet had come. Mrs.
Mae Thayer, daughter OF the wounded
man. went to the room when she heard
her father say he was shot and a physi-
clan was summoned. The physician
thought there was possible d nger OF in
lection and suggested that the patient be
taken to a hospital for treatment really
ing that an operation could be performed
better there than at his home. Mr.. Nc
Carthy was removed to Providence Hos
pital.
Detective Patrick O'Brien was detailed
to assist the police of the fifth precinct
In the investigation of the case The
police feel satisfied that the shot was
fired by reckless individual who used
q revolver to celebrate the beginning OF
INC FOURTH. II was stated Al the nos
pital this morning that the patient is
not In a serious condition.
Didn't Know It Was Lit"
At all the hospitals extra preparations
were made to treat victims of explosives
and during the early morning hours sew
eral children who had failed to comply
with the suggestions made by the health
officer and the police department found
1t necessary to seek treatment to pre-
vent the possibility of tetanus. The
first victim of fircrackers to be taken to
hospital for treatment was John Muir
phy, fourteen years Of age, whose home
is at 100 LIST street northwest. John
was near the corner of Pennsylvania
avenue and I'd street with number OF
companions "shootin' firecrackers." He
held a cracker too close to his face.
He thought 1t wasn't lit." a companion
explained. but it was. and when it went
OF. gee. but he did jump"
John was hurried to the Emergency
Hospital and given treatment for painful
but not serious burns, to his left eye
He was then able to resume his cele-
bration after he had received treatment
Next appeared little Robert Narrower
seven years of age. who had also received
burns about his left eye. Robert was
setting off firecrackers in front of the
home of his parents, 012 eth street south
west when he met with an accident. The
firecrackers exploded unexpectedly and
caused him severe PAIN. Dropping his
explosives. the child went in the house
and had first aid to the Injured applied
but the hurt was so serious that he was
hurried to the Emergency Hospital. The
physicians found his injury was so Sc
rious a one that they had him taken to
the Episcopal Eye. Ear and Throat Hos
pital to have specialists make an effort
to save the sight OF an eye.
Stepped on a Nail.
Another firecracker case" was the re-
mark of one of the physicians at the
Emergency Hospital when colored boy
named Andrew Warren, fourteen years OF
age residing at 1886 street. limped into
the emergency room.
Not exactly" the physician was told
although he was exploding firecrackers
when he received his injury.
Andrew had stepped on a nail while
celebrating and sustained a severe injury
to his foot The hurt was dressed and
he went home.
Massachusetts avenue northeast. burned
her right hand while enjoying the noise
of a package Of firecrackers.
But she stood 1t like a man. was the
comment Of a physician at the Casualty
Hospital. where the child was given treat
ment
H. d. Chandler. nineteen years of age
found it necessary to 60 to the Emergency
Hospital this morning about 10 O'Clock
and have burns on his right hand dressed
Its the same old story" was remarked