Philadelphia Inquirer, September 15, 1903View transcription
WITH GUN AND DOG MAN CREATED A BIG SCARE IN CAMDEN
Shot Into a Crowd, Wounding Four; Took to a Swamp, Dodged Bullets and Is Now Hard Pressed
Like a bad man of the wild and woolly West, George Willingmire went through the southern section of Camden yesterday afternoon, creating all kinds of excitement. At last reports late last night he was heading in the direction of Pavonia, with policemen, constables and special officers in hot pursuit.
He had been chased out of the Eighth street swamp, in South Camden, into which, with a loaded shotgun and a big bull terrier, he had plunged after being pursued by officers, whom he threatened to shoot if they dared place a hand on him.
In Wild West Fashion
Willingmire began his escapade early in the afternoon, at Tenth and Liberty streets, when he compelled a wandering musician to grind out popular airs. Tiring of this diversion, he leveled his gun at a number of bystanders and insisted that they dance to the air of "Good Old Summer Time" and other time-worn melodies.
Satisfied with this feat, he sauntered along Liberty street until he saw a dog gnawing a bone. Then he proceeded to urge his terrier to attack the inoffensive mongrel, which resulted in several persons remonstrating with him. This angered Willingmire, who deliberately shot into the crowd.
Four Were Shot
Mrs. Loutowski, 1219 South Tenth street; Mrs. Zeishastie, of 1270 Mechanic street, an unknown man and a child received the contents of the shells in the gun—No. 11 bird shot.
Police Captain Stanley and several officers, attracted by the firing, went to the scene. They arrived in time to see Willingmire walking leisurely out Liberty street. The officers gave chase and Willingmire made a bee-line for the swamp. Arrived at the morass the man began jumping from tussock to tussock, with Captain Stanley in close pursuit. The latter was within twenty feet of Willingmire when the fugitive stopped, loaded his gun and threatened to fill the officer full of birdshot if he came any nearer. Willingmire then plunged deeper among the reeds and tangled growth, his bulldog following him.
South Camden Excited
Last night the excitement in the lower part of Camden was intense, hundreds of persons surrounding the swamp while a detail of officers made ineffectual efforts to escape the black, slimy ooze and penetrate the place. At regular intervals shots were fired into the swamp in an effort to frighten the fellow.
Along about 9 o'clock Willingmire came to the edge of the swamp. Policeman Cornog got sight of the desperate fellow and blazed away at him. Willingmire brought his shot gun to his shoulder and fired at the officer, who, fortunately, was not wounded, although Willingmire is counted a good shot.
Back Into the Swamp
The fugitive, after shooting at Policeman Cornog, went back into the swamp. Half an hour later he was reported to be in a saloon at Haddon avenue and Line street. Instantly there was a rush of determined officers for the place, but by the time they reached there Willingmire had fled. He had discarded his shot gun, but kept his bulldog, and the last heard of the fugitive he was hastening out along the railroad in the direction of Pavonia with officers close on his trail.
Philadelphia Inquirer, September 15, 1903 — page 2Philadelphia Inquirer, September 15, 1903 — page 3Philadelphia Inquirer, September 15, 1903 — page 4Philadelphia Inquirer, September 15, 1903 — page 5
Shot Into a Crowd, Wounding Four; Took to a Swamp, Dodged Bullets and Is Now Hard Pressed
Like a bad man of the wild and woolly West, George Willingmire went through the southern section of Camden yesterday afternoon, creating all kinds of excitement. At last reports late last night he was heading in the direction of Pavonia, with policemen, constables and special officers in hot pursuit.
He had been chased out of the Eighth street swamp, in South Camden, into which, with a loaded shotgun and a big bull terrier, he had plunged after being pursued by officers, whom he threatened to shoot if they dared place a hand on him.
In Wild West Fashion
Willingmire began his escapade early in the afternoon, at Tenth and Liberty streets, when he compelled a wandering musician to grind out popular airs. Tiring of this diversion, he leveled his gun at a number of bystanders and insisted that they dance to the air of "Good Old Summer Time" and other time-worn melodies.
Satisfied with this feat, he sauntered along Liberty street until he saw a dog gnawing a bone. Then he proceeded to urge his terrier to attack the inoffensive mongrel, which resulted in several persons remonstrating with him. This angered Willingmire, who deliberately shot into the crowd.
Four Were Shot
Mrs. Loutowski, 1219 South Tenth street; Mrs. Zeishastie, of 1270 Mechanic street, an unknown man and a child received the contents of the shells in the gun—No. 11 bird shot.
Police Captain Stanley and several officers, attracted by the firing, went to the scene. They arrived in time to see Willingmire walking leisurely out Liberty street. The officers gave chase and Willingmire made a bee-line for the swamp. Arrived at the morass the man began jumping from tussock to tussock, with Captain Stanley in close pursuit. The latter was within twenty feet of Willingmire when the fugitive stopped, loaded his gun and threatened to fill the officer full of birdshot if he came any nearer. Willingmire then plunged deeper among the reeds and tangled growth, his bulldog following him.
South Camden Excited
Last night the excitement in the lower part of Camden was intense, hundreds of persons surrounding the swamp while a detail of officers made ineffectual efforts to escape the black, slimy ooze and penetrate the place. At regular intervals shots were fired into the swamp in an effort to frighten the fellow.
Along about 9 o'clock Willingmire came to the edge of the swamp. Policeman Cornog got sight of the desperate fellow and blazed away at him. Willingmire brought his shot gun to his shoulder and fired at the officer, who, fortunately, was not wounded, although Willingmire is counted a good shot.
Back Into the Swamp
The fugitive, after shooting at Policeman Cornog, went back into the swamp. Half an hour later he was reported to be in a saloon at Haddon avenue and Line street. Instantly there was a rush of determined officers for the place, but by the time they reached there Willingmire had fled. He had discarded his shot gun, but kept his bulldog, and the last heard of the fugitive he was hastening out along the railroad in the direction of Pavonia with officers close on his trail.
