Honolulu Republican, Volume IV, Number 500, 18 Ianuali 1902 — PROMISCUOUS GUN CARRYING [ARTICLE]

PROMISCUOUS GUN CARRYING

MUSI STOP SAYS THE SHERIFF SEEKERS AFTER NOTORIETY WOULD FORM VIGILANCE COMMITTEE. Reckless Firing of Revolver at Phantom Robber by Scared Resident Caused Almost a Tragedy— Reign of Foolishness that Has Got to Stop—The Burglar Craze. The talk of a local vigilance committee being formed is given but little credence by the officials at the head of the police department. The desire for such aba Stic measures to put down the reported burglar invasion is believed to emanate among a few hysterical or those seeking for cheap notoriety. However, the police are tempted to take some action in the promiscuous carrying of weapons by the timorous, who live in constant and nightly fear of meeting the bad burglars who arc alleged to have held up scores «i unprotected citizens in ail parts of the city. Many persons are accused of running away from their own shadows •luring the still watches of the night. The result of the undue publicity has driven many to carrying firearms, which may now be considered a fad. The- epidemic has reached such a stage that many residents live in dread and fear of being vringt d by the* ready guns of their timid and thoroughly scared neighbors. It was only Thursday night that a fatal accident was narrowly averted. It was a case of promiscuous shifting by a man named Spencer, who. in taking a couple of sh\s at a shadowy form, sent a bullet c rashing into an adjoining house and grazed the head of the owner. J. Fearn. who was sitting in his room reading and unmindful of the extent that the ravages of gun play had reached In peaceful Honolulu. The supposed burglar was prowling about Spencer’s place, and Spencer, observing him. and taking him for a burglar, fired at him twice. The burglar, if he was one. disappeared hut one of the bullets entered Foam’s room. Deputy Chlllingworth declares that he will arrest the first man upon whose person he finds a concealed weapon. The carrying of guns by the unsophistK ated is considered bad business, and the police insist that the reign of folKhaess has g.'t to stop