The Washington herald., 1909-07-20

Attacked by the man who, he says
robbed him Of his wife's affections, VIII
tam P. Place, Of Woodmont Nd, shot
and seriously wounded his adversary.
Alexander Morrison. as the latter entered
his parlor at o'clock last night
The bullet entered the right side OF the
chest. innictlng internal hemorrhages. At
late hour last night the physicians at
The Georgetown University Hospital.
where Morrison was taken. declared that
he would probably live. They say he is
dellrioUs and unable to give any CO.
herent explanation Of the shooting. Place
gave himself up TO Sheriff Counselman.
OF Bethesda. shortly after the affair. He
claims that he thought the weapon was
loaded with blank cartridges, and that his
act was one OF self-defense.
Long Standing Feud.
The quarrel which led to the shooting
OF Morrison is one Of long standing, be-
ginning when Place became suspicious OF
his wife and Morrison. The men. It is
said. had had frequent quarrels. Place
is nearly fifty years old. and is a small
man. The man he wounded is twenty
eight years old. a member Of several ath-
letic clubs. and recognized as one OF the
best boxers In his town. Mrs Place is
much younger than her husband. and
comely woman.
The enmity deepened several days ago
when Places wife left him. supposedly
with Morrison. After searching for and
failing to find her, Place expressed Il as
his belief that she had left with that
cub" In some manner this express
sion. together with the husbands declara-
tion, IS said 20 have got 70 Morrison. He
Immediately announced that ne would
get even" with Place, and started out
10 accomplish his end.
Those who were with Morrison during
the afternoon say that he drank heavily
this testimony being borne out by the
physicians of the hospital and DR.. Lewis
who brought him 10 washington
Place had Just finished his supper and
was preparing to leave his home when
Morrison, who had been waiting outside,
approached him and asked whether he
had been responsible for the spreading
OF any reports concerning Mrs. Place and
himself. Place attempted TO walk away.
Morrison followed him up. repeating his
question. and declaring that the old
man" would suffer If he refused to an
swer.
Turns on Adversary.
This time Place turned on his adver-
sary and accused him Of having been re-
sponsible for Mrs. Place leaving his
home
That's a liei" yelled Morrison.
AS Place tried to evade him Morrison
struck him. knocking him to the pave
ment. Half stunned by the force Of the
blow. Place got up and ran toward his
house. with Morrison following him and
striking him Place attempted to slam
the front door in Morrlson's face. but the
latter's superior strength prevented him
from doing this. The assailant pushed
the door open and struck Place again in
tho face, knocking him down and inhict-
ing a cut on hts cheek
Place ran into the sitting room as Nor
TisOn sprang AT him again, and from
nearby stand picked up revolver which
he had used I'm celebrating the Fourth OF
July. He claims he thought the weapon
was loaded with blank cartridges.
When Morrison ran at him Place fired
The first shell was a blank and had no
effect on the man. who continued toward
him. Almost instantly Place fired again
and this time it was a leaden bullet
that permanently stopped his adversary.
Without cry, Morrison sank to the
floor, bleeding and unconscious. Neigh
bOrs hurried TO the house and summoned
Dr. Lewis. who lives nearby.
Accompanied by DR. Lewis the wound
ed man was brought 90 the Georgetown
University Hospital in the automobile OF
r. Bradley at 7:30 o'clock last night
Notwithstanding the small size Of the
machine and the large crowd which it
contained, record run was made from
Bethesda.
On Operating Table.
Morrison was perfectly conscious when
he reached the hospital He was taken
from the emergency room and placed on
the operating table the minute OF his ar
rival. It was found that a single bullet
had passed through his chest While
he was conscious and did not appear TO
be suffering to a great extent. the physi-
clans would not permit him to excite
himself by talking.
IL was stated at the hospital that II is
not believed that his wounds will be
fatal Early this morning he rested
easily. Half an hour after he was taken
to his private ward he went to sleep and
remained so until late hour
Following the shooting. Place walked 10
the home Of Sheriff Mervin Counselman
and gave himself up. The sheriff SAYS
that he showed no signs Of excitement.
and explained without a tremor the cir
cumstances leading 10 the shooting. Ac-
companied by the sheriff. Place was taken
10 the Rockville JAIL where he viii be
held pending the result Of Morrison's in
juries
My act. although to be regretted" he
said last night. "was one of self-defense.
There was absolutely no escape for me
IN the room. and had I remained I feel
sure Morrison would have killed me. He
was so maddened that when I fired the
first blank cartridge at his head he did
not pause. I supposed that the weapon
was loaded with blank cartridges"
j. N. Small & soma sTIOrIsts.
NuChFnrfnO-