Policeman Shoots Man Twice — in Wooden Leg

1920

Queer Discovery Made When Victim Is Taken to Hospital

YONKERS, N.Y. — A few minutes before midnight Patrolman H. O. McPill saw a man emerging from between two buildings in a downtown street. He commanded the prowler to halt or he would shoot. The man paid no attention to the officer's command and continued leisurely down the street.

McPill took good aim at the man's leg and fired. The stranger did not stop. Again the policeman shot. The man continued to walk. McPill fired again. He shot at the man five times. At the fifth shot the man stopped.

McPill rushed to the man and seeing two holes in his trousers called the ambulance and rushed the man to the hospital. He was placed upon the operating table and Dr. Hemp made the discover that the man's leg was a "cork" one. Two bullets had passed through it. The stranger was taken to the police station.

Next morning the man was arraigned before Judge Hemp. He gave his name as Elmer Harley and related a plausible story. Judge Hemp pronounced him harmless and discharged him.

As Harley left the courtroom he said he would plug up the holes in his wooden leg and it would be as good as new.

—The Saturday Blade, Chicago, March 20, 1920, page 1.