The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1909-07-20
SINGULAR CRIME IN AIKEN.
Edgar L. Shealy, Asleep, Reused by
Crack of Pistol To Find Him
self Shot.


Young man Of this city. Was shot in
his room at the home Of Misses Rey-
nvlds and McGhee, where he boarded,
on York street. He was shot once
with a pistol, and the ball entered his
thigh and lodged. His wound is not
thought to be serious, but it is exceed
ingly painful. The shooting is one of
the greatest mysteries this city has
ever witnessed, and neither the police,
Mr.. Shealy. nor the ladies Of the
house can offer q satisfactory reason
oy solution Of it.
Mr.. Iealv is engaged to me mar
ried ana invitations were issued day
or two ago to> his marriage to Miss
Ruby Coward, daughter of Mr.. and
Mrs. Thomas ". Coward, who reside
a short distance from the city. Last
night Mr.. Shealy called upon her.
Miss McGhee attended a dance with
Mr.. William Murray, who also boards
rhere. Miss Reyonlds remained at
home. but she had expected to go
when Mr.. Shealy left. and on return
ing about II clock Mr.. Shealy call
ed 70 see her home from the dance,
but finding that she did not come to
the dance. went home alone. Miss Rey-
nolds AYERS that she left the front
door open and q. light burning in the
hall
Arrived at Home.
When Mr.. Shealy arrived at the
house he found the front door locked
and no light in the hall. He first rang
the door bell and, as he was doing
50, he says he heard some one walking
in his room upstairs. He thought, he
says. that it was Miss Reynolds try
ing to find a match to strike light,
but Miss Reynolds says it was not
she. She did not open the door, as
she says she left it open, and she
thought it was some one trying to
obtain entrance to the house. A COL
ored woman was sleeping in the house,
the cook.
When Mr.. Shealey called Miss Rey-
nolds recognized the voice and got up
and opened the door. Shealy went
20 his room, and soon after retired. At
about l2::45 pistol shot awoke him
and he instantly arose and went to
the door. which he found closed.
He called to Miss Reynolds and
then felt the wound for the first time,
although blood on the bed shows that
1he wound had been bleeding before
ne got up. He says he was asleep,
lying on his back at the time. A care
full search of the room revealed moth
ing. No one was there, nor could
any one be found anywhere IN the
house. The colored woman and Police
man Busch, on his beat, heard the
shot. No one else heard it. Mr..
Shealy says he heard no. sound after
the shot was fired. Mr.. Murray and
Miss MoGhee arrived from the dance
at l 0 clock.
Shot From Porch.
His room door was shut. The WIN
dow. opening on small porch, was
open. and he believes that he was
shot from the porch. Nothing definite
could be found from tracks. When ne
came in his room he noticed that the
window opening on the porch had
been opened. Notwithstanding, ne
saws. that he shut it before leaving.
\ physician was summoned at once:
and he is now resting we'll. The ball
has not been extracted yet.
Some bureau drawers were found
.,onen in two downstairs rooms, but
nothing was missed. Nothing was IN
terfered with in Shealy's room. NO
mo1ive can be ascribed for the crime.
The shot was fired from toward MS
head. ranging down. Mr.. Shealy says
ba does not know Of an enemy IN the
world and he is known to be an eA-
ceptionally quiet and weh-liked young
man. If it was committed y a rob-
her why did he shoot wl,=n Sheady
was asleep, there being no danger to
the robber? The. robbery theory IS
not believed generally. But II 1t was
someone who wanted to murder nhm'
what was the motive? :,
Mr.. shealy is a highly valued
salesman for Powell Hardware com
pany, and is to b: be marrleo: a, MS us
wounds allowing, to Miss Coward Oh
The 2Sth of this month.
It is battling, and up to this tlme
the police can find no clue upon WHICH,