Smyrna times., 1912-12-04
BULLET WOUND IS FATAL
TO AARON REYNOLDS, JR.
3. FRANK VAN WlNKLE HELD IN
$4,000 BAIL, MANSLAUGHTER
Unfortunate Shooting Affair Occurred
Last Wednesday Night and Reynolds
Dies in Philadelphia Hospital Friday

OiCS w EIliduGipOtd E1OSpIldiE
Aaron Reynolds, Jr., Smyrna's
well-known upholsterer, aged 80
years, son of Mr.. and Mrs. Aaron
Reynolds of this town, came to sad
and untimely death at the University
Hospital, Philadelphia, Friday night
at 10 O'Clock as the result of bullet
wound alleged to have been inflicted
by B. Frank VanWinkle, Smyrna's |
Adams Elk press Agent. following a
quarrel on the Wednesday night pre-
vious. VanWinkle, who has been |
held in $5, 900 bail for his appearance
at court, claims he shot in self de-
fense. Whatever the causes leading
up to the unfortunate affair, Smyrna
has not been so upset in many day.
Both young men being well-known
and having hosts of friends, no one
believes either had murder in his
heart. Sympathy is deeply expressed
for both families. The tradgedy has
been the one talk of the towE. 1t
appears that Reynolds, VanWinkle
and others were having a treat at the
formers. upholstering establishment
last Wednesday night and adjourned
later to the Adams Express Office
where a warm fire could better add to
their comfort. While in the latter
place, a dispute over the ownership
of some screens was had with the re-
hot r-r.nl 1nH md
Wrinkle ordered Aaron Reynolds out of
his office. This aggravated the case
and put the fighting mood in Aaron.
Shooting Was Near VanWinkle's Home
After lingering awhile in front of
the Adams Express Office on Market
street, Aaron Reynolds left and a short
while later, probably 20 minutes, Van
Wrinkle shut up his Office and started
home. The hour was about midnight.
+, Trying the rear gate and not succeed
ing in getting in, he came, so the
story goes, toward the front to gain
entrance through the store door of his
wife's millinery establishment. Reyn-
olds, it is alleged was standing in the
shadow of Ritter's shoe shop Garter
Building) and when VanWinkle ap-
peared, the fight was on. Presently
several pistol shots were fired, one
going through the store door of John
C. Still and imbedding itself in the
ceiling and one shooting Aaron Rey-
nolds in the stomach. The latter
walked to his home and latter DR.. ].
S. Cobb of Clayton, was summoned.
Reynolds condition was found so SER
ious, he was hastened to the Univers-
ity Hospital in Philadelphia, on the 3
O'Clock, morning train. where every
thing possible was done to save his
life, but to no avail. He passed away
at 10 O'Clock with all but two of the
members of his family at his bedside.
He made an ante-mortem statement,
it is said, declaring VanWinkle the
aggressor. The next day VanWinkle,
who was much broken up over the
affair, was held in bail of $5. 900 by
Magistrate Henry s. Anthony on the
charge of manslaughter, the case to
be tried at the next term of court.
His bondsmen are Walter F. Keith,
w. T. Massey, Hervey P. Hall anc
R. Y. Wallen. During the fight
VanWinkle sustained dislocated anc
fractured shoulder and was badly pun.
ished.
Funeral of Reynolds on Monday
The remains of Aaron Reynolds Jr.
were brought to Smyrna Saturday
evening and instead of being taken t.
his late home on South street, were
taken to the home of his parents or
Commerce street. Funeral services
We're held Monday morning in charg,
of Rev. J. Edgar Franklin of Will
mington, former pastor of the Smyrna
Presbyterian Church, assisted by Rev
w. D. Parry, pastor of Asbury M. E
Church. Interment was in the family
lot in Odd Fellows cemetery. De
ceased moved to Smyrna with his par
ents in early life and after receiving
his schooling, learned the upholsterins
business with his brother-in-law Jane
R. Sudler, whom he succeeded in bus
iness at the store. corner of Com
merce and Delaware streets. In De.
cember 1908 he married Miss ANN
Walton of near Clayton, who survive
him with an infant three months old
and for whom there is profound sym
pathy.
Detectives Looking into Shooting Gas
States Attorney Josiah 0
Wolcott and detectives were in tow
to-day looking into the cause of tn
tradegy in which Aaron Reynolds Jr.
lest his life. They examined mum
Der of witnesses and gathered dat