The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1916-06-10
FARMER FIRES AT AUTO

The Wilmington Evening Journal,
of June 1st, contains the following
somewhat startling story:
Accused of shooting at an automo-
bile party that had stopped under a
tree at the end of his lane, Eugene E.
PaXson, a farmer living along the Mt
Pleasant Chesapeake City road, was
held in $500 bail to await the action of
Magistrate Lewis yesterday afternoon.
The charge against him was assault.
1t was preferred by Edgar P. Young,
an advertising representative of this
city.
Mr.. Young made the following
statement about the case:
"On Monday evening, May o.. | in
vited three highly respected ladies,
Mrs. William S. Borem, Mrs. Nellie
Beaston Reed and Miss Florence Egee
all of Chesapeake City, together with
my cousin, Miss Sue. L. Cox, of Mont
clair n. j., who was visiting Mrs.
Reed, to take a ride in my machine.
"We started from Chesapeake City
and drove slowly to Middletown. l
there asked the ladies whether they
would go in the drug store and have
some ice cream, or whether they
would prefer to have me go in and
get some candy. All but Mrs. Borem
preferred the candy. | then pur-
chased box of candy and also a box
of ice cream.
"We then started for Chesapeake
City. 1t was raining, and as we reacil-
ed Mr.. Parsons farm pulled in just
off the road under tree at the end of
his lane. | Immediately shut off my
head lights and stopped my engine,
leaving the side and tail lights burn
ing;
"We sat in the machine, talking
quietly. and after a period of about
fifteen minutes | heard a voice from
the vicinity of Mr.. Parsons house,
which said, whats the trouble down
there ?" | Immediately leaned out of
the machine (the wind shield was up)
and replied, "There's no trouble At
once and without further delay, |
started my engine and backed into the
road, headed for Chesapeake.
While on the public highway, and
without further warning, Mr.. PaXson
fired both barrels of a shotgun
straight at us. The shot struck the
machine. Fortunately no one was in
ured. which is almost a miracle when
it is remembered that a single shot
dropped of its own force from height
of ten or fifteen feet, would put an
eye out.
Tuesday morning | came to Will
mingtoH and reported the matter 10
the AttorneyGeneral. A State detec-
tive. Mr.. Mccoy, was assigned to the
case for an investigation. | took Mr..
Mccoy in my machine and we had an
interview with Mr.. Paxson. He aI-
mitted firing both shots and said he
fired straight for the wind shield.
"On Instructions from the Attorney
General a warrant was issued and on
Wednesday Mr. Paxson was placed
under arrest and brought before
Squire Thomas S. Lewis, of Whining
ton. charged with assault. Mr.. Pax
son attempted to justify his conduct
on the grounds of trespass. Finally
the magistrate stated that the matter
was very serious and held Mr.. Paxson
in bail for appearance in court.
"ln applying the law to Mr.. Pax
sons conduct, | wish to make it clear
that l bear him no malice. Until the
interview referred to | had never seen
him to know him. Ny contention is
that when man stands in the dark
and fires twice point-blank at lighted
automobile full of defenseless women,
that man should account for his act.
81 consider it public duty to re-
mind Mr.. Paxson and others con-
stituted like him. that firearms should
be used with discretion. When a
lighted automobile stops at the end of
a long lane it ought to be self-evident
that no harm is intended. Chicken
thieves or robbers do not drive into a
mans lane when the intent is robbery.
Thev sneak through the fields and do
their work in the dark.
81 believe the great majority of my
friends and acquaintance throughout
Delaware and Maryland will concede
that human life is altogether too sac-
red to tolerate for an instant wanton
and reckless disregard for it,