The Detroit times., 1910-10-31
F0RMERDETR0|TER
IS IN SHADOW OF
ELECTRIC CHAIR
VOlney H. Smith, Who Conducted
Saloon on Woodward-Ave. Until
Last Spring, Shoots Down Man
In Elmira, N. Y.
Pair Had Had Trouble Over Drinks
Murderer Says He Didn't Intend
To Kill Victim.

Reports have just reached Detroit
oil the murder of a young man In FL
mira, N. Y, by Volney H. Smith. also
called Hal Smith, former Detroit
saloonkeeper Smith is under arrest.
awaiting trial. He left Detroit last
spring, after selling out his saloon,
The Buffet" which was located on
Woodward-ave., near Duffield-st. Pre-.
vious TO conducting The Buffet" he
ran saloon on Sibley-st, near Wood
Der OF years and was one OF the best
known saloonkeepers in the city.
Smith shot Edward Sullivan. %, as
the latter was walking along the
street. AS Sullivan was espied by
Smith, the latter remarked 10 some
friends: There's a man | want to
have an argument with" The friends
tried to hold Smith, but he broke away
and fired the fatal shot.
To the police, Smith said he had
been having trouble with Sullivan
over drinks, which Smith, who was
running a saloon In Elmira, didn't
want 10 serve Sullivan. Finally, Smith
said Sullivan threatened him with the
words, I'll get you Smith declared
that he didn't know why Sullivan
should hold anything against him.
Regarding the firing OF the shot,
Smith said he didn't mean to kill Sui
Ivan; that he shot while he was ex-
cited
In its report OF the tragedy, the
Elmira Telegram says
According TO the best information
Lat can be had 1t seems that the
trouble between Smith and Sullivan
started about one month ago. Harry
Wheeler. who is the proprietor or
saloon and eating place on Railroad
ave; Herbert l.. Chidsey, a barten-
GER and Edward Sullivan entered
Smiths place and were drinking there
with others. The three men became
engaged in a discussion over a prize
fighter. The men were talking when
Smith approached the group and SIN
Cling out Sullivan told him that he
must stop his talking about prize
eabters and get out Of the place. An
argument followed between Smith and
sullivan and Il is claimed that Wheel
err Joined In the talk, supporting Sulli-
van At that time one OF sullivan
arms awas in splints. They went OUT
A week ago Friday night, Sullivan
and Wheeler were in Smiths place
Charles owen was tending bar. Smlth
came into the place and another argu-
ment ensued between Smith ana sui
Ivan. Smith ordered Sullivan out OF
the Mace but he was not inclined 10
go. owen put on his coat ana nat
and said to Sullivan and Wheeler:
Come on, we will go out together.
The three men left. Ii is now thought
Inv the police that Sullivan, while in
toxicated. approached Smith, Friday
morning. to resume the argument.
The statements which eye-witnesses
have made regarding the declaration
nv sullivan that che wanted TO nave
an argument with Smith bears out
this theory
Smith is a large, heavily built man
and it is said that he could have cas-
ily overpowered Sullivan had he at
tempted to use force instead OF re-
volver. Sullivan was not heavy or
build and II is said that he was not
inclined TO fight, although he was a
sneering talker when intoxicated or
excited
II Is claimed that Smith had been
drinking on the night he committed
the murder. 1t is probable that his
brain was confused as the result of
the drinking. or he would not have
drawn a revolver and fred the shots
which caused the death Of Sullivan.
Had he been cool.headed, 1t Is prob
able that he would have taken little
heed of the words from the lips OF the
drunken boy.