The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1910-11-01
'aMERaETROITER
s IN SHADOW Of !
ELECTRIC CHAIR
'oiney II Smith, Who Conducted
saloon on wOcdward-Ave. Until
Last Spring, Shoots Down Man
In Elmira, N. Y.
fir Had Had Trouble Over Drinks
Murderer Says He Didn't Intend
To Kill Victim.

reports have Just reached Detroit
tne murder OF a young man in Ell
ara N. " by volney II. Smith. also
aAned "HaP Smith, former Detroit
Aioonkeeper. Smith is under arrest,
waiting trial. He left Detroit last
pring, after selling out mis- saloon,
Inc Buffet" which was located on
"oodward-ave.. near Dufrleld.st. Pre-
nous to conducting "The BUFFET" he
~ 2 saloon on Sibley-st., near Wood
saro-aye. He lived In Detroit a num-
'er OF years and was one OF the best
AeWn saloonkeepers In the city.
smith shot Edward Sullivan. 23, as
me latter was walking along the
Reet AS Sullivan was espied by
}ha latter remarked to some
ig Theresa a man | want to
IAN argument with" The friends
ed hold Smith, but he broke away
Ned the fatal shot.
70 - police, Smith said he had
en having trouble with Sullivan
pr drinks, which Smith, who was
hning saloon In Elmira, didn't
INT to serve Sullivan. Finally, Smith
ID. Sullivan threatened him with the
irds. TN get you. Smith declared
Rt he didn't know why Sullivan
build hold anything against him.
Regarding the firing of the shot,
18th said he didn't mean to kill Sui
an,-that- he shot white WAS ex--
ed.
In its report Of the tragedy, the
mira Telegram says:
According 10 the best information
1T can be had II seems that the
bubble between Smith and Sullivan
&Rted atout one month ago. Harry
.leeler, who is the proprietor or
BON and eating place on Railroad
ke.: Herbert l.. Chidsey, a barten-
n. and Edward Sullivan entered
\ .nith's place and were drinking there
. 9TH others The three men became
. kgaged in a discussion over prize
hitter. The men we're talking when
|nith approached the group and sim
Hing out Sullivan told him that he
lust stop his talking about prize
khters and GET out OF the place. An
kwument followed between Smith and
NIllivan and IL Is claimed that Wheel
Joined IN the talk, supporting Suln-
IN. AT that time one OF sullivan
-ma was in splints. They went out.
"a week ago Friday night, Sullivan
IA wheeler were in Smiths place.
kSayIes owen was tending bar. smith
kme into the place and anotner arsu-
lent ensued between Smith ana ouI.
|vnn- Smith ordered sullivan OUT VI
he place. but he was not inenneo 10
Owen put on his coat and nat
Id saId TO Sullivan and Wheeler:
Come on. we will go out together.
Inc three men left. II Is now Thought
y the police that Sullivan. while In
bxicated, approached Smith, Friday
,orninR to resume the argument
no statements which eye-witnesses
ave made regarding the declaration
aulHvan that "he wanted to nave
argument with Smith" bears out
IFS theory.
aSmfh Is large, heavily built man
I'd II is said that he could have cas-
N overpowered Sullivan had he at
Impted to use force instead OF re.
olver. Sullivan was not heavy OF
Inild and Il IL said that he was not
,cllned TO fight. although he was
4 sering talker when intoxicated or
tIted.
f 1T is claimed that Smith had been
rinking on the night he committed
he murder. II Is probable that his
rain was confused as the result or
: drinking. or he would not have
hawn a revolver and fired the shots
hich caused the death OF Sullivan.
I'd he been cool-headed, II is prob
,e that he would have taken little
| Fed of the words from the lips OF the
..inken boy"