Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-12-15
Shotgun Purchased
For a Friend Slain
Woman Told Dealer

Woman l0ld Dealer
The shotgun which ended the
life of 23-year-old Sallie Wood
was purchased by her last week
end "for q friend" police
learned today from an Arlington
sporting goods dealer.
Detective Chief Dudley H.
Rector, who still is investigating
the bizarre case despite a medi-
cal examiners listing of 'acci.
dental DEATH" said the infor-
nation supported earlier theo-
ries.
Investigators believe Miss
Wood. a pretty analyst for the
National Security Agency. died
In her coy new Arlington Tow
ers efficiency apartment SUNDAY
night when she accidentally
joStled a card table on which
the gun rested.
Died Instantly.
Miss Wood died instantly,
Medical Examiner w. C. We'll
burn believes. when the guns
butt struck a wall and discharged
the weapon. sending the shot
through a large artery and into
her heart. Miss Wood had been
sitting on the floor beside the
table. wrapping Christmas gifts.
Capt. Rector ssid tie case is
not closed as far as police are
concerned. although there is no
dispute with DR.. Welburn'S find
ing of accidental death.
The police want to wrap it all
up conclusively by final reports
on fingerprints. the guns char
acteriSticS. and talks with other
people who knew Miss Wood.
Capt, Rector planned another
visit to the apartment today.
There have been at least two
theories about the presence Of
the shotgun. One, advanced by
her fiance. Herbert B. Gallegly.
was that Miss Wood had pur-
chased it for her own protection,
having fear of someone break
ing into the third-fioor apart
ment.
The other was that she had
purchased it as gift, either for
her father, or Mr.. Gallegly. The
statement of the sporting goods
dealer seems to support the lat
ter theory.
Asked If 1t Would Shoot Deer.
He told Capt. Rector that Miss
Wood went to the store Friday
or Saturday. asked about shot
gun for a friend" and when
shown the one she purchased,
wished to know If it would shoot
deer. She was told that it would.
Miss Wood bought the mex
pensive bolt-action, single-barrel,
clip-loading MoSsburg. It was
given to her in the original box,
which was found on the floor of
her apartment.
The shotgun. when found by
police resting on the floor, lean
ing on the card table, still was
coated with the preservative
grease.
Miss Wood had added box
of shells to the purchase at the
suggestion of the dealer, who said
she should have them to go with
the present.
Charge Entered Back,
The fact that the fatal charge
entered the woman's back, and
that she died instantly, pre-
cluded the possibility of suicide
in the mind of DR.. Welburn. He
said the gun was resting too far
from the body to have fallen
there after she had shot herself.
Murder was ruled out by the
medical examiner after he had
sifted evidence from the police.
The principal case against MUIR
der was the fact that the case
ment windows were locked. and
the only door was chain-locked.
Police at first were puzzled
why girl with Miss Woods ap-
parent cultural interests would
be examining and loading a
shotgun.
But her parents, Mr.. and Mrs.
Charles H. Wood of Medfield,
Mass, said she had always been
interested in things mechanical.
Her mother said Miss Wood
loved to take clocks apart and
put them back together, and
must have at some time found a
similar interest in guns.
Live on 20O-Acre Estate.
The Woods live on a 200-acre
estate near Medfield. Mr.. Woods
heads road equipment firm and
the Woods are socially active.
Miss Wood had attended FASH
ionable girls schools and was
graduated from the University
Of Michigan.
Miss Wood and Mr.. Gallegly
had fixed their wedding day for
early next year at st. Thomas
episcopal Church. Instead,
there was to be private funeral
service for her there at 2 pm.
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