The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1919-04-25
HANDY WITH THE GUN.
FOUR SHOOTING AFFRAyS IN CARROLL BY
G0LORED MENET00 MUCH BOOZE
WAS THE GENERAL CAUSE 0F IT ALL.

Two shooting ARRAYS In this poun-'
ty during the past week indicate that
the habit OF carrying concealed
weapons is menace to public
safety, which can only he broken up
by our courts inflicting severe penal
ties on viOlatOrs of the law.
On Saturday evening, Charles
Franklin, colOred, % notorious cOlOred
man, living on Charles street shot
Alex Squirrel, colored. The story of
eye witnesses is that Franklin had
been to Reigterstown earlier in the
day and that both Franklin and
Squirrel were under the influence or
vile, whiskey. They quarreled.
Franklin drew his revolver and
snapped It at Squirrel, but It missed
fire. Squirrel threw monkey
wrench and struck Franklin on the
head. Franklin fired at him five
times. One ball entered the left ann,
one passed through Squirrels right
coat sleeve. Sheriff MellOrl and
Deputy Bloom were on the scene in
a few minutes. Not at once finding
Franklin, they notified States At
torney Seabrook who went to- Frank
Inns house. While the peace officers
watched the exits, Mr.. Seabrook went
into the hoAse. Not finding Frank-
lin in the lower rooms ha called his
name. Franklin, who was lying fully
dressed on his bed upstairs, recog-
nized MIR. Seabrook's voice and
answered calling him by name, came
down quietly and respectfully and
gave himself up. Squirrel received
attention from DIR. Coonan alC DR..
Bare dressed FrankitMis wound
Franklin is in jail awaiting hear
ing before Police Justice Uinst. 1t
is understood that he has employ
ed MIR. Weant to defend him. .
The other case was the shooting on
Monday night, at Union Bridge, OF
Jess Willis by Ray Hill. ON the 9Th
OF April Albert Hoy, Norman Willis
and other negroes went t0 Littles-
town in an automobile Fer liluor. 1t
is said that Hoy brought back a gal
lon. Before going to- Liktlestown
(April 8th was pay day g the Cement
Plant Hoy left fifty dollars with
Ollie Sappington. Upon their return
he got the money from Snppington,
and started home III his buggy. 1t
is alleged that Willis TUuk him To
his house and stole the money land
his gallon OF fWhiskey. willis is i'm
jail on the charge or larceny. The
principal witness AGAINST him Is Ray
JILL. >eolored. On Monday ESttz.t Hill
met Jess Willis, a brother of Norman
Willis I'm the stare OK James G.. Six.
The STORY goes tliHt IIlll wgR exPress-
fMB gaeRGure at tlfW wNWwwu @Gf Norman
Willis for the larceny from hoy.
Jess Willis struck FIf1l in the face.
MIR. Six ordered them out OF the
store. When they got outside Hill
drew his revolver and shot Willis,
the bail entering the neck. Willis
was taken TO "a Baltimore hospital
for the removal of the ball Hill es-
capped in the night.
In January last Hayes West, of
Bllicott City, came in the night to
the home of his brother, Lee West, at
Gathers, bringing whiskey with him.
Alone IN the kitchen, and drinking,
Hayes shot his brother, who was in
Baltimore. hospital for several
months, while Hayes was held here
In jail waiting the result of his
brothers injuries. Lee West fully
recovered Lees story fully ex-
Onefated his brother, showed that
they were good friends, that the
shooting was accidental. Hayes
pleaded guilty before Police Justice
Dnst on the charges Of carrying
concealed weapons and or giving
liquor to Lee. Hayes had been I'm
Jail For three months, and the justice
sentenced him to pay a fine Of fifty
dollars for carrying concealed weap-
ons, and fine OF twenty dollars for
giving Intoxicating liquor to his
brother. The brother helped him
pay the fines and he was discharged
Another negro, John Spencer. Mt
Airy, was found by DR.. Willard i'm the
kitchen of the doctors home under
the influence OF liquor. DIR. Willard
ordered him ont. He obeved, but
when he got outside, drew revolver
and fired, 1t is said at DR.. Willard.
He was arrested on the two charges
OF shooting at DR. Willard with intent
to disable, and of carrying concealed
weapons, and on both charges COM
mftted to jail for the action OF the
Grand Jury.
L.