Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-09-10
VETERAN SHOOTS C0MRAOE
WHITE TRIES TO PUT SLEEP
LESS MAN TO SLEEP.
Declares Bennington Hounded Him
and That He Meant to
Fire in Air

eff You can't sleep. I'll put you to
sleep
William H. White arose from his cot in
the Sheridan building, United States Sol
diers' Home. about II 90 o'clock last night.
and shot William Bennington through the
chest. carrying out his surly threat.
The bullet entered Bomington's chest and
went entirely through his body His con-
dition is dangerous and may result fatally.
Both are veterans of the regular army.
Bennington is forty-five years of age,
while White is five years his senior.
Whites excuse for shooting his COM
rade is that Bennington had been constant
ly 'hounding' and abusing him. This Is
not borne out by other occupants of the
room in which the shooting took place,
the police state.
When the report of the .3S-caliber bull
dog revolver rang out last night the In
mates of the Sheridan building were
thrown into excitement. Nearly all had
retired for the night. Hearing the shot
they rushed to the apartment occupied by
White. Bennington and other veterans.
White Under Arrest.
bennington was found writing in pain
on his cot. He was quickly removed TO
the Soldiers Home hospital. White was
seized and hustled to the guardhouse,
where he was placed behind barred doors.
under guard.
Capt. Henry 3. Elliott commanding the
tenth precinct, was notified of the affair.
Early this morning he had White removed
to the station house. When questioned by
Capt Elliott the prisoner said he had
words with Bennington earlier in the
evening and that the latter had treated
him meanly. White did not deny having
shot Bennington. but persisted that Bonn
ington had ''hounded'' him.
This was denied by the other occupants
Of the room. Capt Elliott questioned Da-
Wis Maple, John Bennett, Edward Bur-
witch and an aged German veteran. They
will be summoned as witnesses.
A surgeon of the hospital says the
wound is serious. The bullet entered Bonn
ington's chest and taking the direction
of his lungs came out of his back. He
said the wounded man was at present
holding his own.
1t appears that Bennington was suffer-
ing from insomnia and was tossing rest
lessly on his cot when White got up and
declared he would put him to sleep. One
old soldier said the wounded man was an
inveterate snorer. and that White shot
him because the snoring interrupted his
slumbers.
Capt. Elliott has detailed his precinct
detective on the case
White Defends His Act.
Later in the day White made an addi-
tional statement to the police of the tenth
precinct. He said Bennington persisted
last night in approaching the bed White
occupied and abusing him.
Il told him to 60 away" White con-
tinued. but he would not do so. Finally
l could stand it no longer. I shot my
revolver in the air. as 1 thought, to
brighten him away. Bennington then went
out in the hallway. Coming back he de-
clared I had shot him. He then fell into
his bed
Il didn't intend to hit him. but wanted
to brighten him and make him desst
from annoying me-
White is nearly blind and can barely
see with the aid of glasses. He served
many years in Troop x, Sd United States
Cavalry.
Bennington is a large and powerful man.
He saw service in Company L, 4th
United States Artillery.
The police say Bennington was arrested
February p. 1907, charged with killing
another inmate of the Soldiers Home by
striking him across the head with a plank
with nail in it. He was acquitted by
the coroner's jury on the plea of self
defense.
Capt. Elliott Will have White arraigned
in the Police Court tomorrow. He will
no doubt, be held for trial pending the
result of the wound received by Boming-
ten.