The Weekly Sentinel

A SHOOTING AFFRAY.

Mr. W. A. Whitaker is Shot in the Knee by Mr. W. S. Hay.

Monday evening had been appointed as the time of trial before Justice Grogan of Messrs. W. A. Whitaker and W. S. Hay, both prominent tobacco manufacturers of this city, for an altercation which occurred between them some weeks ago, in which Mr. Hay used some abusive language to Mr. Whitaker and was severely clubbed with a stick by Mr. Whitaker. Lawyers and witnesses and all the parties to the case except Hay had assembled and the case was ready to proceed as soon as he should arrive. Before any one was aware of his approach Hay was seen to enter the door, and on seeing Mr. Whitaker sitting at the table with his legs crossed, he instantly drew a 38 caliber self-acting revolver and fired two shots at Mr. Whitaker in quick succession. The first bullet struck just below the knee and ranged up the fleshy part of thigh for several inches. Mr. J. C. Buxton prevented the second shot from doing any injury by rushing forward and throwing up Hay's arm, the ball however passing dangerously near Mr. Buxton's head. It was the opinion of those present that if Mr. Whitaker had not been sitting in the position in which he was that the bullet would have entered the stomach and with more serious consequences. Dr. R. F. Gray was called in and pronounced the wound not dangerous, but feared that a stiff joint might be the result, and that the extraction of the ball would be very painful if it were at all. At last accounts Mr. Whitaker was reported as suffering a good deal of pain. Hay was bound over in the sum of $5,000.