Evening journal., 1915-07-06
Policeman SHOT,
HIS LIFE HANGS
IN THE balance
With Two Wounds in Alb
doman, W. ]. Davidson
Continues in Critical
Condition
CUNNINGHAM. ASSAILANT
INQUIRIES ABOUT victim

Physicians at the Delaware Hos
pitaI this afternoon said that Patrol
man William J. Davidson. who was
shot yesterday by Patrick Cunning
ham. aged SO years. of Philadelphia.
had spent a restful night and at times
he was conscious. but his condition is
precarious and the chances of his re-
covery are slight.
Shot down by the man whom he had
arrested, Patrolman Davidson has two
bullet wounds in his body, one
through the right leg below the knee
and the other through the left eide of
the abdomen. The latter wound is
most serious, as an old leaden bullet
Of .32-calibre punctured the intestines
in ten places. Patrolman Davidson
was wounded in much the same man
ner as was Patrolman Willard s.
Shharpless, whho was shot by Peter
Krakus, murderer Of Patrolman Tier
ney, last March, but his wound is
considered even more serious aud his
life is hanging on a thread. THE
chances are 100 10 against his re-
covery," is the way a physician de-
scribed Officer Davidson's condition.
Patrolman Davidson, on being ad-
mitted to the hospital. following the
shooting, asked to have his wife sent
to him. and Mrs. Davidson, accom-
panied by her two daughters. went
to the institution.
Cunningham, who. with John Golden
aged 40 years, had been arrested by
Patrolman Davidson at Front and
Market streets, on a charge of fight
ing on the streets, was arraigned ir
City Court room shortly after the
shooting before Magistrate Thomas s
Lewis. charged with assault with in
tent TO commit murder. When asked
u plead. he said: Guilty in a way.
Cunningham was held without bail 4
await the result of Omcer Davidson
| injuries, and he was al once take
10 the workhouse On reaching ther
| Cunningham inquired about the COZ
dition of Davidson.
Cunningham a Farm Hand.
>, While Cunningham claims Philade
I phia as his home, II was learne
today that he has been living
Brandywine hundred for three year
at least, working as a farm hand. II
p was employed by Thomas Deakyn
of near Holly Oak, for about thre
years, and recently went to work o
the country place OF John f. He'll, q
the Bavarian Brewing Company. a
Holly Oak.
Mr.. Deakyne, on reading Of tn
shooting of Ogicer Davidson, called a
the police station this morning an
, told Chief Black that Cunningham ha
been in his employ as a farm wOrke
for about three years prior 10 thi
summer. when he left and went {
work on MIR. Hehls place.
Mr.. Deakyne said that Cunningham
was always quiet and had never caus
ed any trouble at his place. Som
peculiarities i'm his eating we're note,
especially his fondness for raw foodl
but Mr. Deakyne did not regard Cur
ningham as affected mentally. II
seldom spoke TO anybody except thos
Immediately about him He was IN
, same way at the He'll country place
He cut the grass on Mr. Hehls law
, on Saturday morning and visited Wi
mington yesterday morning Ths
J, Cunningham carried revolver wa
unknown to Mr.. He'll and Mr. Dea
kyne.
General I. Pusey Wickersham, pres
ident Of the Police Commission, was
caller at the Delaware Hospital thi
morning and inquired about the cor
dition of Patrolman Davidson. II
was informed that he had a chanc
for recovery.
Those who witnessed the arrest Z
Cunningham and Golden and IN
shooting by Cunningham, said tina
Cunningham appeared to be huntin
trouble. He walked up to Colder
whom he struck in the face. Goldc
struck back. and in an instant bot
men were fighting viciously. As III
crowd gathered, Patrolman Davidson
whose district includes the Coast
section, rushed up and he arreste
both men.
Patrolman Davidson is one of III
largest men on the police force. bl
the two prisoners gave him trOubI
in that each endeavored to get at II
other Cunningham, who is powe
fully built, was finally overpowere
by the officer who sent in a call fC
the patrol. II arrived with Patrolma
Wilmer Hahn. the chauffeur, as II
only man on II Patrol Sergeant How
gate being at lunch when the call f
= the wagon was received
u Cunningham was placed in the pi
J troll first and Golden followed an
Patrolman Davidson stepped onto II
steps to get into the machine. AS
did so. Cunningham who was in u
front of the machine. suddenly drew
revolver saying, Here's where yo
get it," AT the same instant he fire
] the bullet striking Patrolman Davi'
} son in the abdomen. The office
> clapped his hand to his side an
, turning TO a friend who was near, /
- said. "My God. Barry. ! am shot
J The prisoner quickly pulled the tril
: ger of the revolver second time an
p the bullet struck the wounded Office
!, in the leg. Davidson reeled. bl
! catching the handles of the part
wagon he held himself erect.
The shooting was witnessed b
more than 100 people and as the SCI
! ond shot rang out Harry Husband
! lof No. 1919 West Front street
! Charles II. Chilcutt. No. 911 Benne
/ street; Townsend Taylor. No. II
nf,~lye4 -freef and lanes M Tone