The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1914-01-10
SAD SHOOTING AFFAIR

The jury of inquest, summoned by
Coroner William P. Dean, on the dead
body of Paul Mccall, made its inves-
tigation on Tuesday evening in the
office of Magistrate Ash, under the
direction of States Attorney Henry
l.. Constable. 1t rendered verdict
that Paul Mccall came to his death
from a gunshot wound. inflicted by a
revolver in the hands of George Short,
and George was remanded to Jail,
under 81 900 bail for hearing.
Paul Mccall, the boy killed, was 8
years old, son of Mrs. Fannie Nc
Call, of Elkton. formerly of Chesa-
peake City. The boy who did the
shooting is about II years old and a
son of Zebulon Short. Both boys at
tended the primary department of the
Elkton High School.
The testimony at the inquest was
as follows:
Lyle Shaffer, aged twelve years, was
the first witness. He said that after
school George Short, Theodore Short,
Paul Mccall and himself went over to
the field back of the school to shoot
revolver that George had brought to
school. After four shots had been
fired George asked Paul. who had
three cents, to go get more bullets.
Paul said he didn't know that he
would, and George fired his last car
fridge at him. Paul said "Help, Pm
dead" and fell. George went to him,
found he was dead, and began to cry.
He and George then went home.
George threw the revolver away on
the way home, and told witness not
to tell anybody.
When questioned, Lyle said he
thought the shooting was an accident.
George had been pointing the revol-
yer at their legs and feet. There had
been no quarrel between the boys.
David Brennan, aged fourteen, was
called, but had only heard the shot and
seen the two boys going home.
Clarence Short, an older brother of
George, said the revolver was one he
had borrowed the previous night from
Harry Montgomery and had left it in
his overcoat pocket. His brother had
taken it unknown to him. 1t was not
loaded.
At this point George, who was pres
ent in the custody of the Sheriff,
stated that he had bought five car
tridges from Mr.. Alexander ?
morning.
Harry 7. Alexander was called, but
did not remember selling cartridges
TO George, but had sold some to boys
that morning, as was the custom when
they came for them, as they did near
ly every day.
Theodore Short, aged ten years, told
of the four boys going out to shoot.
George pointed the revolver at their
feet and he got scared and started
home. Whine he had gone little way
he heard George ask Paul if he was
going to get more bullets. Paul said
81 don't know" and George said
"Now you git" and fired at him.
Paul said, ooh, help, I'm dead" and
fell. Theodore at once ran home and
told his mother, who sent him to tell
the Bailiff.
Bailiff Potts testified to Theodore's
telling him of the shooting, his finding
the dead boy and arresting George.
He said the stories told by Theodore
and Lyle We're exactly what they had
told him just after the shooting.
The jury of inquest consisted Of
Joshua M. Ash, foreman; Herman JEFF
fers, Henry NJ Biddle, Edward M.
Johnson, Edward Bowen, Charles S.
Boulden, Harry NJ. Larzalere, Harry
W. Strahorn, Russell F. George, Mil
Ter f. Magraw, Theodore Kirkpatrick
and Henry H. Gilpin.