The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-09-30
FISHERMAN SHOT
BY VIRGINIA NAVY
Bullets Intended for Oyster
Pirates Go Wide Of Their
Mark.

4 Washington, September 2o.-Punc-
tured In a dozen places by one Dullet
that hit him in the back. passed
through his sntestines, issuing from the
abdomen to go through his thigh, ana
lodge In the calf of his leg, william
T.. Raab. the victim Of the over
zealousness Of handwriting, but Dad
craftsmanship, aboard the Virginia
State police boat James River, lies to-
day In critical condition in Provi-
#dence Hospital.
The Virginia river police boat crew
which did the shooting weie aiming
at oyster pirates, lawlcssly dredging
near Colonial Beach yesterday. The
gun charge far overhit Its mark and
hit the wrong man, supposedly well
beyond range.
Ranb's Condition Critical.
Raab is an cngfayer of the Geolog-
ical Survey. and dwells at 12S Ken
lucky Avenue, Southeast. Ite was
fishing at the time, sitting knees UP
on the seat OF his boat.
Although Raab's condition is regard
ed as serious, he spent comfortable
night. There is chance for his re-
covery.
The bullet is lodged in the calf Of
his right leg. 1t will be removed as
soon as his condition permits.
Raab, accompanied by Thomas Nor
rill, William Pigott and II. j. Juene-
mann, all of Washington, went to CO.
lonial Beach last Saturday on the fish
ing trip They left the beach in a
boat yesterday and rowcd some dis
lance out into the river.
There they anchored and went to
fishing. A number of oyster dredgers
were ut work about a quarter of a
mile down river from them. They
paid little attention to the oyster
men.
stray Shot Hits Rnnb.
Raab suddenly threw up his hands
and fell forward In the bottom of the
boat. Blood was pouring from bullet
holes in his back and abdomen.
Tho anchor was pulled up and the
wounded man was taken ashore. There
physician administered treatment,
Raab was later placed in motor
boat and taken to Pope's Creek. Garry
ing the wounded man on the railroad
train, the party returned to Washing
ton last night. The victim was adj
mitted to the hospital on arrival.
Describing the accident, beth Mr..
Morrill and Juenemann were indig-
nant at what they termed gross care
l'ieSSneSS on lQe part OIL IUe crew OIL
the Virginia police boat.
The oyster dredgers were between
his party and the police boat. COM
manded by Captain o. w. Hudson,
which was abou. half mile down the
river, says Mr.. Juenemann. He could
plainly see the police boat and for
time watched 1t creep up to the
oyStermen.
Escaping Pirates Fired On.
The crew Of the police boat finally
began firing. The oystermen were
trying TO escape.
A strong wind was blowing toward
the police boat, and Mr.. Juenenlann did
not hear the report of the gun. The
first he knew that the police boat
crew had fred was when Mr.. Raab fell
forward to the bottom OF the boat.
When his friends reached Colonial
Beach with Mr.. Raab Mr.. Juenemann
further said the police boat also land
ed there. Captain Hudson. Mr.. Juene-
mann declared, told him he did not
see the rowboat of the fisherman, and
that the gun had been pointed IN
front of the oystermen to stop them
Another Explanation Reported.
Captain Hudson. 1t is stated. also
said he had used his field glasses be-
fore the shots were fired. MIR. Juene-
mann, however, declared that the cap
tain told residents of Colonial Beach
that he saw the fishermen in the boat,
but he did not think they were within
range.
SIX shots were fired. the first of
which struck Mr. Raab. According to
Mr. Morrill, another bullet passed with
in six inches of his head.
Mr.. Juenemann and Mr. Morrill, de-
clare that the residents of Colonial
Beach are up In arms because of the
reckless shooting and have urged that
action be taken against the crew OF
the police boat.