The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1917-03-29
PAINE CULP HELD
INBONDIOF $1,000
Habeas Corpus Proceedings Con-
Quoted in Oakland Yesterday

since the shooting of Thomas Wilson at
Red Oak school house Friday, March
16, was ordered released under 81, 600
bail yesterday by Judge Robert R.
Henderson. His release was the result
of hearing on writ of habeas corpus,
sued out by his attorneys, Gilmor S.
Hamill and G. Semmes Hamill of Oak
land, and Albert A. Doub, of Cumber-
land. The state was represented by
States Attorney Ernest R. Jones, of
Garrett county, assisted by former
States Attorney Fred A. Thayer and
Edward H. Sincell.
When the boy was brought into the
court room yesterday morning in
charge of Sheriff Albert Ashby he was
met at the door by his mother and sis
ter, who took him by the hand and af-
ter pressing kiss to his cheeks burst
into tears. Several minutes elapsed
before they could be consoled by the
father and friends, who had gathered
in the court room to hear the testimony.
The lad presented neat appearance in
court and spoke intelligently to his
counsel in telling of the trouble that
led up to the shooting of Wilson.
The first witness to be placed on the
stand by the defense, who opposed his
release on bail, was Roy Cooper, nine
years old, member of the same school.
Cooper told of shooting that had been
done in the woods near the school house
by number of boys who called them
selves the Jesse James Gang. When
asked to name the members of the al
legged gang he said they were Albert
Cooper, Paine Culp, Wilbur Baer,
Thomas Wilson and James Childs. When
asked if any of the boys in school held
any malice toward Paine Culp. or had
any i'll feeling in any way against him
prior to the shooting. the lad said,
none that | knew of. " Asked if he
had ever seen Paine Culp have a gun in
| his possession he said that Cup had
shown him the gun on Thursday prior
to the shooting on Friday. The witness
| said he had seen Thomas Wilson. the
boy who had been shot, with a gun in
/ his possession several times. When
asked if any other member of the al
legged gang carried gun he said Wilbur
Baer had brought gun to school with
] hi pI, cnNaral poaacinnc
asked if Wilson had gun on the day
of the shooting, to which he replied, Il
do not know" The witness said he did
/ not see any trouble between Culp and
Wilson prior to the shooting Friday,
March 10. The witness testified that
Wilson knew Culp had the gun and
that Culp drew the gun from his pocket
and shot Wilson twice.
Wilbur Baer, 10 years old, another
member of the Red Oak school, said
that Culp had gun at school the
day before the shooting. He said
that on the following day Wilson
accosted him and asked What are YOU
going to do with that gum" To this he
said CUP replied, IF you don't leave
me alone you will find out" The wit
ness said he was a member of the
Jessie James Gang" and that Paine
Culp was the second one to join the
organization. When asked if any of
the other boys had carried guns the
witness replied he did not know, al
though he had heard several shots fired
in the woods near the school house.
Baer was very unwilling witness an
cross examination and it required some
time for Attorney Doub to complete
the examination. When asked if anv
cartridges had been found at the school
the witness admitted that several had
been put in the coal which exploded
when they were in the stove. He said
that on the day of the shooting Culp
had assaulted William Cooper and that
Thomas Wilson took him to task about
it. Wilson struck Culp and the latter
walked slowly away. When they again
met Cup tainted Wilson and said he
was ready TO meet him, in the meantime
having placed his revolver in a pocket
handy to get to.
James Childs, II years old, another
schoolboy, told of the trouble which led
up to the shooting Culp and William
Cooper had some trouble on the school
grounds and Wilson took the matter up,
said Childs. Wilson struck Culp in the
face when he turned and walked away.
He said that Thomas Wilson, Wilbur
Baer and Paine CuIp had all brought
guns to school. When asked if he was
also member of the gang he admitted
he was. Here Judge Henderson took
the witness and asked him what the
requirements were to become a member
of the Jessie James Gang" The
witness replied that the only require
ments to become a member was to
climb a certain tree near the school
house. He said that when Culp shot
Wilson the latter started to run to
ward the school house and fell.