The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-02
While Intoxicated R. W. HaW- thOrne Shoots Wife and
 |. R. CIeTnenCe
LATTER WAS CALLED
 10 RENDER ASSISTANCE
Deeply HumiIintcd and Distressed. He Remembers Little of
 What Occurred

While under the Influence of drink of Heyman & Hawthorne, with offices in the Chamber of Commerce building, shot and wounded his wife and his friend, c. R. Clemence who were at tempting to care for him, at the flaw thorne residence, 1109 St. Charles street, early yesterday morning.
 In his statement to The Age Herald MT. Hawthorne declares that he was intoxicated to such an extent that he is unaware of what actually occurred and that his modification and grief are unbounded
 Neither of the injured is fatally shot, physicians announce. Hawth orne was arrested. but was soon afterwards released on bond.
 Mrs. Hawthorne was the more seri- ously wounded, bullet striking her in the left side anl penetrating the ab- domen, but not puncturing the intes- tines. She was hurried to the South Highlands infirmary where an operation was performed. Her condition was pro- nounced to be very favorable at an early hour this morning by pr. Prince, and while the wound is serious 1t is not considered fatal. pr. Prince stat ed last night that chances were good for her recovery.
 MT. Clemence was shot in the thigh, the bullet inficting painful but not necessarily fatal wound. The thigh bone was untouched by the bullet and the wound is only flesh one. He was carried to his home at 1119 St. Charles street, where his wound was dressed by Dr. Prince.
 Account of Shooting
 According to accounts furnished the police the circumstances of the shoot ing were as follows: Mr. and Mrs . Hawthorne had been to a New Year eel ebration at the Clemence home, where Hawthorne had become intoxicated. They are said to have started home at about 5 o'clock, accompanied by MT :. Clemence MT. Clemence was unable to get Hawth orne upstairs and left him in room downstairs. He then returned to his home. short time afterward Mir. Hawth orne. secured a revolver and frightened his wife out of her room. She telephoned MT. Clemence, who i'm mediately came to her assistance When the two entered the room Hawthor is said to have begun firing, one bull let striking Clemence and the other Mrs Hawthorne.
 Mrs Hawthorne was carried to the capital in Greens ambulance and Mr Clemence reNoved to his home. flaw thorne was left fin the room with the revolver. Neighbors were afraid to enter the room.
 The hospital authorities refused to operate on Mrs. Hawthorne without tn c consent of MT. Hawthorne and as the neighbors were afraid to go into the room the police station was commun- icated with. Several detectives, rush. ing to the scene, disarmed Hawthorne, and carried him to the hospital.
 He expressed great astonishment when told that he had shot his wife and friend. He stated to the detec- lives that he did not know anything about the shooting. He was placed un- der a $500 bond on a charge of assault with intent to murder.
 1aWtnOrne Makes statement
 MT. Hawthorne Is at the home of his partner, Henry heyman, 1906 Nelson avenue, and is completely prostrated over the unfortunate affair. He made the following statement to an Age Herald reporter last night:
 My wife and I had been to a New Year celebration at the Clemence home. I had taken some wine and not being a drinking man became intoxicated. We started home about o'clock and the wine began taking effect.
 "As to the actual shooting I have only hay remembrance and am sure of nothing except that I was very much intoxicated. was much shocked when I was told that I had shot my wife and my best friend I am deeply humil- lated over the entire occurrence"
 Heyman & Hawthorne are we'll known mill agents. Clemence is man ager of the construction department of the Jemison Real Estate and Insurance company.