The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1909-02-05


Denniston Charleton, aged sixteen years.
pointed a revolver at Vivian Bowdoin.
sged fourteen years. his fsvorite play
nate. Then he accidentally pulled the
trigger. and Bowdoin fell mortaHy
wounded.
The shooting occurred on ths stairs
between the second and third floors Of
Western High School which both boys
attended as freshmen Young Bowdoin
was removed to Georgetown University
Hospital. where he died shortly after
O'Clock. about an hour after the shoot
ing
The parents Of the principals in the un-
fortunate tragedy are positive IN their
declarations that the shooting was purely
accidental This view IS also shared BY
the police and District Attorney Baker.
After the shot was fred Charleton was
taken to the Seventh precinct station De
we released in a few minutes following
his arrival there by order Of the district
attorney.
Frustrated By the Shock.
Almost crazed as a result OF woUnding
his playmate, Chsrieton went 70 bed
upon reaching his home The shock pros
trated him. and owing 10 his nervous cor
dition. It was decided not 10 inform him
OF the death OF Bowdoin- At q late hour
last night he fell into troubled sleep. be-
Iieving the bullet had not killed MS elum.
He had been told that Bowdoin was in
Georgetown Hospital suffering from 4
slight wound
The father OF Chsrletoa Is Paul Charlie
ton. law officer n the Bureau OF InsuIs-
Affairs ana lives izI2 II street north
west
The father of Bowdoin. the victim. IS
J. s. Bowdoin. Of the Southern Railroad
Company. ur.nE at 21I2 0 street north
west
In COmpzny of Brother.
At the time OF the shooting Bovdo,n
was walking down stairs on his way 10
the basement in the company OF his
brother. Raymond. aged thirteen years.
School had just been dismissed. and ths
boys were on their way 20 their lockers
TO get their hats before starting for Their
home. Charleston had got away from the
building ahead Of his playmate. and was
standing in front Of the school watching
the pupils pass out. when he remember
e1 he had left a book he wanted in his
desk.
Re ran back into the basement. and
as ne started up the steps 20 g 70 his
class room he encountered Chsrleton snd
mis- brother. who we're coming down the
steps. The meeting was near landing
between the second and third floors
Boy Drew the Revolver
Drawing revolver from his pocket
CharIeton called out playfuliy:
Throw up your hands" laaking 81
Bowdoin.
Bcrwdoin smiled down at Charleton and
made a laughing remark, which vas not
understood. He continued walking toward
Charleton and was in the act OF remoT-
ing his books from under his right arm
preparatory TO exauaing the weapon IL
Charleton's hand. when a shot vas heard
Bowdoin pitched forward and fell on tbs
landing. unconscious from a wound n tae
center Of the forehead
RAYMOND Bowdoin and Charleton stood
stunned with fright for a moment and
when Raymond started 70 20 up the steps
calling for help Chsrlston ran into the
basement. Apparently not knowing what
he was then doing and frightened BY
what he had done. he hid the weapon
in a pigeon hole in locker. and returned
to the first floor OF the building.
teenth street northwest. who happened 10
be in the buildinS heard the sh0R and
found the wounded boy on the landing
He carried Bordoin 10 room on the
third floor. and applied first aid remedies.
The physician saw Gle boy was ii q seTi-
Gus condition, and gave instructions that
vehicle be called 10 remove him TO q
hospital.
Charleton's father had been notified og
the shooting and arrived a few minutes
later in a taxicab. Bowdoin was re-
moved to the hospital IN a patrol wagon.
and Mr. Charleton accompanied his son
to the Seventh precinct police station II
an automobile The boy was weak from
fright and shock, and vas not questioned
al any length. He was released . few
minutes later by order Of District Attor-
ney Baker.
Taken to His Home.
CharIeton was removed 70 his home and
was In a pitiful condition. By direction
OF physicians the boy was put 20 bed.
For fear the news of the death OF his
comrade might have serious results.
Charlefon's parents did not tell him. and
he went 10 sleep believing he had only
wounded his schoolmate
Physicians at the hospital had been
notified and were IN readiness 10 give
prompt aid on the arrival Of Bowdoin.
Everything possible was done for tbs
boy, but he died at 400 o'clock. almost
an hour 10 the minute after he was shot,
without regsining consciousness.
Il has net been learned definitely whers
Charleton got the revolver The boy told
the police he had purchased ii from
boy friend for s. and had Il IN his pos
session for three days he was unable
10 tell the name Of the boy who sold him
the weapon. II is said the revolver vas
one which ChsrIeton fonnd among old