Evening star., 1909-04-25
SHOOTS EDITOR DOWN
Warrenton School Principal
Uses Pistol on Street.
RESULT OF LONG FEUD
Prof. Harris Fires Three Times at
w. A. Thompson.
WOUNDED MAN BROUGHT HERE
Two Bullets Penetrate Abdomen and
Injuries Believed to Be Fatal.
Trouble About Advertising.
WOUNDED MAN BROUGHT HERE

Special Dispatch to The Star.
WARRENTON, Va, April 24-As the
outcome of long-standing feud between
Prof. j. d. Harris. principal of the War
renton High School. and W. A. Thomp
son, associate editor Of the Warrentor
Virginian, Harris shot and perhaps fatal
ly wounded Thompson on Main street to.
night.
Reports are conflicting as to how tho
shooting occurred Meeting on the street
the two men were seen to engage in con
versation. 1t is said that Thompson
started toward Harris and that the teacher
drew his pistol and began firing rapidly
Thompson staggered and fell forward
every bullet Of the three fired at him
penetrating his body. Two Of the bull
lets entered the abdomen, penetrating the
intestines, while the third went into his
hip.
In an instant an immense crowd as
sembled and Harris was held for the ar
rival of an officer. He made no resist
ance, nor did he attempt to escape. but
calmly awaited arrest. Friends OF
Thompson took him to the Warren-Greer
Hotel, where four physicians were sum-
moned. His condition was so serious
that the only help that could be offered
him was the administration of narcotics
Trouble About Advertising.
Excitement was intense for some time
after the shooting. Harris merely said
that Thompson had provoked the shoot
ing. AS the trouble was OF long standing
between the two, 1t is believed that Har-
ris expected the attack and was armed
for the occasion.
So far as can be learned, the trouble
between the men grew out of an old ad-
vertising account which Thompson had
tried to collect, sbut which, for some
reason. Harris refused to pay.
Efforts are being made to get bail for
Harris, who is now in the custody of
an officer, not having been locked up.
It is believed that this will be secured
before morning.
Thompson is a married man, and has
long been known in the newspaper field
locally. He is forty years OF age. Har-
ris is single and thirty years of age.
A hearing will be given Harris Mon
day, perhaps. though the condition OF
Thompson will determine when the Of
fcials will take up the investigation.
Friends OF both parties are Indignantly
discussing the circumstances. Feeling
is high on both sides.
Brought to Washington.
Thompsons condition was SO serious
that a special train was secured, and
with the wounded man aboard started
for Washington at IL o'clock. He was
accompanied by a physician. and Will
be taken to Providence Hospital.
Thompson, accompanied by DR.. Samuel
W. Maphis and DR.. John II. Sleby Of War
renton and Albert Fletcher. friend OF
Thompson arrived in Washington on q
special train early this morning, and
Thompson was at once conveyed to the
Providence Hospital. arriving there short
ly after ] O'Clock. The physicians report
that he did not lose consciousness and
that he stood the trip we'll although he
is regarded as being in critical condl-
ton.
They report that he has two bullet
wounds In the abdomen and one In the
thigh. Dr. Harry Kerr of Washington,
once made preparations for an operation
to determine the extent of the injuries.
One of the Warrenton physicians stated
that he had understood that Prof Harris
had procured bondsman and had been
released from custody.