The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1915-07-26
ASSAULT UPON FULTON
YOUTH MAY PROVE FATAL.
WILLIAM MURPHY STRIKES 60
WARD CHRISTIAN VITA
BALL BAT.
Victim IN Critical Condition and As
sailsnt Esespes-county ara
City Authorities In
Sestigate.

Ncsti1afe.
Jealousy over leadership IN their
bali team. Il l. thought. caused VIII
lam Murphy. OF Fulton. 10 assault I'd
ward Christman. also Of Fulton. yes
terday afternoon. wiri ball bat
The blow struck younr Chrlstman d.
rectly over the left temple. render
ing him unconscious Murphy. appar-
emily realizing the immensely OF his
act. as soon a. he had struck hts
fellow tesmmate. lodged through the
crowd that had gathered and escaped.
Al an early hour this morning
young Christman was reported TO b.
IN a critical condition. with slight
chances OF recovering from the blow.
The police and county authorities
we're searching for the assallant. but
a. 1 o'clock he had not been located.
Started over bail game.
While the Fulton Volunteer Hose
Company was on route To the Fulton
grounds 10 play ball yesterday after
noon William Murphy. Who had been
discharged from the team for the
past siN weeks. was asked to pitch
for the volunteers. He had quit
pitching on different occasions. thus
causing the members OF the squad 10
hire new pitchers. II II said there
had been soreness existing for
some time between him and men,
bers of The company in regard TO his
pitching
When asked to pitch for the team
yesterday. he said his father wouldn't
let him. Edward Christmas asked
Murphys father II he could play. and
Mr.. Murphy Is said TO have replied
That he never told him he couldn't
play ball
Edward said: why. William.
your father never told you not TO play
ball"
Murphy Is said to have replied: Il
don't want anything out of you"
Christman replied. Il was Just
telling you what your father said" II
Is said he was rolling a cigarette
while talking TO Murphy and had just
turned around when he was struck
with ball bat. Christman didn't
know that Murphy struck him. As
soon as the blow had been delivered
he fell on his head. with the blood
running freely from his nose and
mouth
What did ] run against" asked
Christman. About fifty persons saw
Murphy strike the blow that promises
to prove fatal to Christman Imme-
diately following the blow. Murphy
ran to Henry Shocks livery barn and
then to his fathers front porch He
left his home without his coat. n Is
said. and was dressed In brown pants.
10 aE - HHwHa Ir# a
white shoes. He weighs about l55
pounds and Is eighteen years OF age
and has blue eyes. He WAS employed
NJ the Reymann Packing company's
plant Christman was employed by
the Wheeling Mold and Foundry com
pany.
Slight Chance 20 Recover.
DIR a. \. Henderson and DR.. VIM.
Ebert were called and rendered medi-
cal aid. IL Is thought that the blow
which Christman received on the head
viii prove fatal as their IS little or no
chance for his recovery.
Murphy seems 10 have made good
his escape as he apparently boarded
a car FOR the city. However. Il Is
thought that he may have gotten of
at The tunnel or in East Wheeling
Mayor Hermann Roeder OF Fulton. i'm
mediately following the murderous as
sault rushed 10 the Baltimore and Ohio
railroad depot where he had all pass
engers held until IL was made certain
that Murphy was not there. II Is said
Murphy only had . dollar In his pocket
unless he succeeded in getting money
from someone. The county officials
are now conducting strict search for
Murphy Police OF all cities for miles
around have been notified to look out
for him.
Prosecuting Attorney D. 4. Mckee
was notified OF the assault yesterday
evening and went Immediately TO the
Christman home. There he took what.
ever statements he could get from per
sons who had seen the assault. Christ.
man was unconscious most OF the time
and no statement could be obtained
from him. Mr. Mckee said that every
effort would be made 10 apprehend
young Murphy
Realizing that he had little money.
the police have made a canvass Of his
friends TO see whether or not he Dor
rowed any money. but have been un.
able 10 find where he had Mr. Mckee
said last night that he believed Muir.
phy 10 be hiding in the city some
where. although he might have board.
ed n freight