South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1922-12-23

Upon an even chance for recov-
cry OF Elsie Wyman. in the Epworth
hospital making a game fight for
life. hangs the fate of John r. Wy
man. IS, sol Lincoln way E.. who
Thursday shot and probably fatally
wounded his 15-year-old adopted
daughter, following a quarrel over
her alleged association with friends
objected to by the father.
Wyman. In his cell in the county
Jail. maintains the shooting was ac-
cidental. lie told county officers
the girl grabbed the barrel OF the
revolver and caused il TO discharge.
Blames Foster Father.
But the girl, pretty bob-haired
brunette. a wlsp of a thing. as she
ward, is equally insistent that her
foster-parent was wholly TO blame.
She says she had no warning Of i'm
pending disaster-that she stood
transfixed at the sight OF the re-
voiver and an instant later heard
the report.
An X-ray photograph locates the
bullet as lying midway in the left
lower chest cavity. with the posi-
bility OF having pierced the dia-
phragm. Except for possible infec-
ton. hopes are entertained for her
recovery. An operation to recover
the bullet. a 32-caliber lead pellet.
vii! await developments In her con-
dition.
The shooting occurred shortly be-
fore noon Thursday at rooms oc-
cupied by the Wyman family, sol
Lincoln way h. According TO the
victims own story. no one was in
the room where the shooting occur
red except she and her father. They
quarreled over the company she
was keeping. she said.
Father Misunderstood, Says.
Between sighs-wheH the pain of
the wound was too great for her TO
bear-she told the story OF the
events that led up to the shooting
"Hs didn't understand. He didn't
think a girl could associate with any
one and still be respectable.
I'm not a bad girl and he ought
to know it." she added after mo-
ment.
we didn't quarrel much over the
letter I had written. He just>wanted
me to quit going TO shows and
stepping out
he wouldn't let me pick my
chums-"
She stopped. Words caught in
her throat-deep.
According TO DR.. G. 3. Allen, at
tending physician. Elsle's recovery
depends upon infection. Except for
the poss.b ility Of either the lower
lobe OF the lung or left lobe Of the
liver being penetrated. the bullet is
believed 10 have missed any Vita
organ. The bullet did not strike a
rib and the picture taken shows the
bullet in its original shape. unflat-
tened
What would YOU have done 70
Mr.. wyman?" the question was put
20 the bullets victim.
They ought 10 do something with
him" was her answer.
Talks TO JelliSon.
Elsie in a short talk with Pros
FLOYD O. Jellison al the hospital
denied her fathers story that the
shooting was accidental and said
that she made no effort 70 take the
gun from him until after he hau
shot her as she was leaving the
room following an argument with
him.
Early Thursday morning she had
written a letter 10 Irving Burdess
a boy friend near Peoria, H. and
as her father was leaving the house
TO go down town she asked him &c
/ mall the miStve which she had seal
ed but not stamped. she said.
Shortly Afterwards Wyman re
/ turned with the letter torn from
/ the envesope and began 10 repri
mand her for corresponding with
/ the boy whom the father claims
/ works in a coal mine.
She claims 10 have sat on her bed
while the father on a couch In th'
room began voicing his objections
/ against her alleged social activities
and following a heated argument sh'
got Up and started from the room
Then. according 20 her story. tn
| father pulled the gun from HI