Prison Guard Shoots Inmate in Jute Mill Fight

Refusing to stop fighting when ordered to desist, Ed Bloon, a convict in the penitentiary, was shot yesterday afternoon by Guard James Doyle. The shooting occurred in the jute mill in the presence of a hundred convicts and was the result of a fierce fistfight Bloon was engaging in with another convict named Stetson. Bloon paid no attention to three orders to stop fighting, when the guard raised his rifle and fired. The shot struck the seat of his pants, taking out cloth and some flesh. Bloon grabbed himself with both hands and hopped about the mill yelling. Amused by the antics of the convict, his companions set up a roar of laughter. Bloon was taken to the hospital, where his wound was found to be slight, the bullet just nipping the flesh sufficient to make it burn like a hot iron. For several weeks, convicts in the jute mill have been under the impression that the guard's rifles were loaded with blanks and several fights have resulted. Warden Dryden gave orders that fussing must stop and for guards to enforce the order if necessary by shot. Bloon found out his mistake when the bullet ripped through his pants, dangerously close to a vital spot.