Martin Lattimer of Elvins and Miss Flossie Clay of Frankclay were both shot, but by what is almost a miracle were not seriously injured, by a party of soldiers who are alleged to have been drunk, about 10 o'clock last Thursday night. The shooting occured on the road near the Owl Creek bridge between Leadwood and Desloge. Young Lattimer and Miss Clay had been to the picture show at Bonne Terre and were riding in a car which Mr. Lattimer had hired at Elvins. Emmett Smith was the chauffeur, but Lattimer was driving and Miss Clay was sitting in the front seat with him. They overhauled a car in which were several soldiers. They honked for the road so that they could pass. Instead of giving them the road one of these brave (?) soldiers fired directly at them with a revolver.
The bullet went crashing through the windshield of the Lattimer car, wounded Lattimer in the right wrist and spent its force against Miss Clay's left breast. She screamed that she was shot. The car was immediately turned and driven back to Dr. Turley's office at Desloge. As Miss Clay got out of the car the bullet, which was flattened out to about the size of a quarter, dropped from her clothing. The bullet had gone through her coat, but by the time it hit her it was spent to the extent that it just bruised the skin on her breast.
Mr. Lattimer did not discover that he was shot until after he arrived at the drug store. A portion of the bone on the joint of his wrist was shot away. Miss Clay was badly frightened and shocked, but her injuries were not as serious as Lattimer's.
After having their wounds dressed they reported the affair to the officers at the St. Francois military headquarters. Lieut. Munday, with a squad of soldiers, made an investigation. They went to Leadwood, located the men responsible for the shooting and placed them under arrest. We have not learned what disposition has or will be made of the cases. It is quite likely the guilty men will be given a term in some federal prison.
This shooting marks the climax of a series of disordees committed by some of the soldiers now stationed here. Many of these young men, most of whom are from Kansas City, apparently know little of discipline and care less. Their depredations runs from common drunks, disturbances of the peace, to robbery, and it is no fault of theirs that this latest escapade did not result in actual murder. Some of them seem to have no respect for the honor of their regiment and are a disgrace to the uniform they wear. If their officers cannot control them they ought in justice to the uniform they wear and the cause they represent, acknowledge the fact and ask for their recall.
These men, as many of them are conducting themselves at present, instead of being guardians of the peace, are a positive menace to the community and their conduct ought to be brought to the attention of the War Department by the county authorities. If the county authorities do not do this they will be negligent in their duty. The citizenship of the county should insist that the county authorities take immediate action in this matter.
A reckless soldier, turned loose with a deadly weapon in his possession is bad enough, but one with a booze soaked brain is a thousand times worse and ought not to be tolerated for a minute.
The two companies of the First Regiment who were relieved by the men now here, established an excellent reputation by their gentlemanly conduct and soldierly bearing. Unfortunately, the reverse is true of a considerable number of the men now here.
We have heretofore refrained from calling public attention to the conduct of these men, in the hope that conditions would improve and that Capt. Ross and his corps of officers would get the situation in hand. However, they do not seem to be equal to the occasion and conditions instead of improving are getting worse, and the time has come to turn on the light. We intend to keep turning it on until the remedy is applied.
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