The Drunken Highway Shooting Near Kent

Archie Campbell shot and probably fatally wounded George Devitt on the highway near Kent yesterday morning about 1 o'clock. Whisky was the cause. Devitt was assisting neighbors in removing goods from their houses, the ground floors of which had been flooded by high water. This work kept him occupied until late at night, and it was near 1 o'clock when he started home. He was nearly a mile and a half from the town when he met Campbell, who was very drunk. They were strangers, but walked along together for company's sake. Finally, Campbell drew out a gun and said: 'I will shoot your d-d toe off.' Devitt drew away, but Campbell, in his drunken recklessness, fired. The first three shots were harmless, but the fourth hit Devitt in the groin. Devitt fell to the ground, and Campbell, suddenly brought to his senses by the awfulness of the deed, started for town as fast as he could. Devitt crawled to a house nearby and tried to get the occupants to let him in, but they initially refused to help. Constable Guiberson was eventually brought by Campbell to the scene. The wounded man was conveyed to town and then to Providence hospital in Seattle. While Campbell later claimed the shooting was an accident involving a self-cocking pistol, the victim remains in critical condition.