The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1921-07-29
Many People AttendedIn-
quest Held in Fair
view Today
.S!X N!TNESSESREARl
Gilleland viii B r eleased
From Jail On
Il Bail

met his death by accidental shoot-
Ing at the hands OF Sam Gilleiand
on the night Of July 205was the find
ing of the coroner's Jury sitting on
the case at Fairyiew this morning.
a crowd Of several hundred per
sons Of both sexes and an ages lis
tened to the testimony The hear
ing was held in the town hail.
Six witnesses were examined.
three young men who were In the
party at the time OF The shooting.
DR.. Miller who performed the au-
topsy, Arcie Copeland, chief Of tho
Fairyiew police and Ira Giileiand
father of the young man who did
the shooting.
Hugh Nicely, 10; was tho first
witness called He said that On the
night Of the tragedy he and ches-
ter Smith and Byron Miller went
to a place on q hill ashort distance
from FalrYiew to play penny ante
Luck was against Nicely and after
playing a few games he tore up
the cards and the three came back
to town. On the way they met How
ard Fritz, Sam Gilleland. r H
Hoge and Ross snodgrassan attor
a short confab decided % 80 back
and play again. Nicely went to get
some more cards and returned with
them and . bottle OF homemade
blackberry wine.
All the boys then except Chile
land went to the place where they
had been playing before and began
to play again.
A few minutes later Giileiand an
peared kround the corner Of 4
house with a handkerchief across
the lower part OF his face ana 4 re-
Volver in his hand. ne ordered
all to throw up their hands Nicely
recognized the voice Of Sam but
complied and held up his hands
Sam then went over to Miner and
made pretense of feeling the out.
side OF his trousers, ostensibly to
see II he had any money. he then
went over to where Fritz was w.
Ing on his left side, resting on his
elbow. placed his hand under his
arm and tempted 10 Iitt him to
his feet. The revolver which was
held in Gillelandis right hand was
discharged. Fritz walked I few
steps and sank down. Gliieiand
tore the handkerchief from his face
and helped to carry the boy 10 thc
nearest house.
Byron Miller and Chester Smith
corroborated Nicly's stinony. Mi.
Ter heard Fritz say Oh SAN, you've
killed me. Was that afblank load. .
Chester Smith ran for Dr. Miller
DR.. Miller stated that when he
arrived at the house oti Mrs: waters
to which the boy had been carried
he found tn boy tust about to
breathe his last Thelbuileth mad gon
through the upper right arm. be-
tween the sixth and Seventh ribs.
right lung, liver, small intestInes
and had lodged Just under the skin
on the left side. Death was due to
hemorrhage and shock.
Chief Copeland exhibited the re-
volvr that had been gwen 10 him
by Ira Gilleland. who said that sam
had given It to; him after the shoot
ing. The gun is q $3.50 Colt. Four
shells were left In Il, Sthe empty ono
having been thrown away
Ira Gilieland father Of sam. said
that Sam had given him tie revoI-
yer Immediately after the SHOOTING
Hugh Nicely was recalled TO tell
how much wine he brought from
home. He said that The wine was
Just some juice that had been tax
en- from some blac ckberries that had
been preserved ana wasjunfermcnt-
ed. Gilleland had not drunk any of
th wine.
Coroner Frank A. Lloyd conduct
ed the inquest and Prosecuting At
torney Frank R Amos questioned
the witnesses. Attorney H. H Rose
was present as counsel for GIlie-
land. Court, stnographer lawrence
Holbert took the netesIot the hear
ing.
Following were the Jurors: John
Mccray, Ward Dragoo. W. D. YoBt.
George Toothman. tlis Rev. R. L
Maness and Jess Tpothman.
| Gtlleland who hasbeen held pend
ling the result OF the inquest viii bo
released ON ban tonight or tomor-