Shirley M Ellis

Courier-Journal. Louisville, Kentucky. May 13, 1905 MAY RESULT FATALLY

Shirley Ellis Accidentally Shot by his Cousin at Eminence

Eminence, Ky., May 12 –(Special) – Shirley Ellis, a youth of about sixteen years was accidentally and probably fatally wounded this afternoon by his cousin, Ellis Crabb, a young man of twenty-two. Crabb is a clerk in the grocery of R. W. Moody and Ellis occasionally assisted in the store. Today they were engaged in offing some pistols, when the weapon in Crabb’s hand was discharged, the bullet entering Ellis’ shoulder blade and ranging toward the spinal column.

Several physicians were summoned, and when they arrived they found both of Ellis’ lower limbs paralyzed. After the discovery was made that the spinal cord was affected no attempt was made to probe for the bullet. The injured youth was taken to the home of his father, James Ellis, as soon as he could be moved and is now being carefully watched by physicians. His life hangs in the balance and probable forty-eight hours will elapse before the outcome can be told with any degree of certainty. Crabb is almost prostrate as a result of the accident.