A Nighttime Intruder Grazed by a Bullet
A man found in a stranger's house at night narrowly avoids death, leaving the homeowner in a state of nervous collapse.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
W. M. Leach, who was discovered in John Miller's house on Sunday night, and so narrowly escaped being shot dead by the latter, was released yesterday morning from the city jail, no charge being preferred against him. His presence in the house at that hour of the night is a mystery still unexplained, but no suspicion of criminal intent is held against him. A man who saw Leach early Sunday evening says he was in the company of some sharps and appeared much intoxicated. It is supposed he made a mistake in finding his home while in a befuddled state, and the shock caused by the bullet which grazed his skull completely sobered him. Leach has returned to his work, his wound causing him no inconvenience. Miller, however, is much worse off. The fright consequent upon the first thought of having killed a man proved too much for him, and he was confined to his bed all day yesterday with nervous prostration.
“The fright consequent upon the first thought of having killed a man proved too much for him, and he was confined to his bed all day yesterday.”
Home invasion stories remain a volatile part of local police blotters. This story highlights the lingering psychological toll on residents when faced with the sudden, violent threat of a perceived intruder in their own living space.
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