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The Morning Press, Bloomsburg, PA

Thursday, June 25, 1931

 

FARM HAND WOUNDED

ANOTHER MISSED BY

YOUTH WITH PISTLO

 

Chester Dewald Caught Three Hours after

Poor Aim and Light Weapon

Prevented Murder

 

     What is believed to have been a premeditated attempt at murder failed last evening in Orange township, partly because of poor aim and partly because of the small caliber of the weapon used by Chester Dewald, aged 22, of Fishingcreek township, to endeavor to take the life of Emery Kline, aged 62 Orange township farm hand and a former resident of Bloomsburg.

     Kline received a superficial wound on the back of the hand and Perry McHenry, on whose farm Kline is employed, was not hit in two shots he says were fired at him. Dewald, taken into custody by Sheriff Rabb about three hours after the shooting and about seven miles from the scene of the attempt and new Dewald’s home, had little to say although he told the official he was glad he had not killed Kline.

     He had little to say about the shooting, other than admitting shooting Kline, who, he said, had continually attempted to have him discharged when the two were working together at a saw mill.

     It is this grudge, authorities believe, which led Dewalt to attempt the life of Kline, although some residents of the section believe that he may have planned doing away with Kline, McHenry and Kline’s wife and then robbing the home. Authorities knew nothing of this theory.

     The belief that the crime was premeditated is based on McHenry’s statement that Dewald passed the farm during the past two days, yesterday stopping at the farm for a drink.

     Last evening he had supper at the home and afterward the three men, McHenry, Kline and Dewald, went to the barn where McHenry says there was no argument. As the men left the barn, Kline and McHenry walking together, Dewald coming behind. He is believed to have been close when he fired first at Kline,  inflicting the wound and then shooting twice at McHenry. He escaped into the woods.

     The bullet, of small caliber struck Kline midway up the back of the head. It shattered the skull but is only a superficial wound, Dr. W.G. Berryhill, who attended Kline, said. The physician does not believe the wound serious. Kline said he believe the bullet had come out. The doctor probed for the bullet and could not find it. He will bring Kline to the hospital today and X-ray pictures will be taken.

     The Wyoming Barracks of the State police was informed and Sheriff Arthur Rabb, was called. The sheriff went at once to the McHenry farm. It is located in Orange township, near the McHenry church and about three miles from Orangeville. There the sheriff found about 50 citizens.

     On the theory that Dewald would go to the home of his father, Henry Dewald, living near Zaner’s Bridge in Fishingcreek township, the officer went to the home. He had information that the father had been in Orangeville at the time of the shooting and had left hastily in his car soon afterward but the elder Dewald denied any knowledge of his son’s act.

     While there a passing motorist informed the Sheriff that he had seen the young man coming up the railroad tracks near the home and the officer started to meet him. The home of Dewald’s father is about seven or eight miles from the McHenry farm. The shooting occurred about 7:30 o’clock and about three hours later Dewald was encountered about three quarters of a mile from his father’s home. He had left the railroad and was walking along the highway.

     He offered no resistance when he was taken into custody and was brought to Bloomsburg. He was questioned little but did tell the Sheriff of his grudge against Kline who he said had tried to have him discharged from the saw mill job when the two were working together. He said he was glad Kline was not died. Dewald will be given a preliminary hearing before a local justice today.

     Dewald and his father have been employed at the saw mill of Warren Welsh. So far as could be learned last night the young man has no criminal record.