Erie County NyArchives News.....BULLET TAKES FATAL EFFECT April 18, 1911
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Hank Gillette hankgillette@mac.com April 26, 2010, 12:10 pm

North Tonawanda Evening News April 18, 1911
BULLET TAKES FATAL EFFECT

Franklin Licht Western Union Messenger Boy Shot While on Duty.

OPERATION WAS IN VAIN

Arthur Eberfeld, 13 Years Old, Who Fired The Fatal Missile Has Unenviable
Reputation—Will Probably Be Charged With Juvenile Delinquency

	While returning from delivering a message to the plant of the Buffalo Steel
Company on Filmore avenue, Franklin Licht, the sixteen year old son of Mr. and
Mrs. Herman Licht of 57 South Niagara street was shot in the head and fatally
wounded by Arthur Everfeld, the thirteen-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs August
Eberfeld of No. 10 Cleveland avenue, shortly before six o’clock last evening.
The bullet, which was fired from a 22 calibre rifle, punctured the jugular vein,
and he nearly bled to death. Despite the efforts of physicians and a specialist,
the lad died shortly after 3 o’clock this morning.

Took a Chance.

	Franklin Licht was one of the most genial and willing workers employed at the
North Tonawanda office of the Western Union. He had been employed there since
December. About 5:30 o’clock he left the office of the company on Webster with a
message for the Buffalo Steel Company. He rode his bicycle to the plant and
while on his way there, he passed Arthur Eberfeld, who was shooting at sparrows
with a 22 calibre rifle. While riding along Filmore avenue on his return trip,
he again encountered the juvenile hunter. The latter pointed his gun at Licht as
he rode past and Licht cautioned him, saying, “Don’t.” About that time Leo
Helm,
the twelve-year-old son of Mrs. Henry Helm of No. 15 Edward street came on the
scene. According to Helm, Licht passed Everfeld and when about 200 feet from him
he yelled back “Alright.” At that Eberfeld leveled his rifle and pulled the
trigger. The bullet struck Licht just under and to the left of his right ear,
and took an upward course. The large branch of the carotid artery was punctured
and the jugular vein was badly lacerated.
	After being shot, Licht rode his bicycle to the office of the National Roofing
Company nearby and fell prostrate on the office door-step. Employees of the
company immediately went to the assistance of the lad and Dr. H. M. Edmonds was
summoned. Licht bled profusely. The ambulance from the Palace Livery took the
injured lad to his home, where every effort was made to save his life.

Boy Taken Into Custody.

	Immediately after the shooting Patrolman Alarie rushed to the scene and
arrested young Eberfeld. He was taken to the police station where he was locked
up. The lad’s parents were surprised to learn that he had a rifle. When
questioned at the police station by his father last night, the boy stated that
Joseph Ruhstorfer, 19 years old, who left a week ago for Idaho, purchase the
rifle at H. H. Broeker’s store on Webster street last October for him and that
he had the gun hid in the lumber yard near his home. The lad was in the habit of
delivering milk daily for his mother and was given 25 cents a week. With that
money, he purchased the gun and bought cartridges. His parents would not permit
him to keep a rifle and he knew it, therefore he kept it hid.
	Young Eberfeld has a bad reputation. His parents have repeatedly appealed to
the police for assistance and at times tried to have him sent to the Rochester
Reformatory. When he went to school he created so much trouble that he was
expelled permanently. About a year ago he went to Father Bakers at West Beneca
on his own volition but he did not like it there. He left after being at that
institution about two weeks. Last Christmas he disappeared from his home and was
gone over a week. He when to Rochester and spent three days at the Rochester
Reformatory. He is the youngest of eleven children and his father informed a
NEWS reporter last evening that he has been unmanageable for several years.

Operation Performed.

	As a last resource, to save young Licht’s life, Dr. George F. Cott of the
Buffalo General Hospital staff was called. Dr. Cott assisted by Dr. Edmonds and
Dr. W. A. Macpherson performed an operation on the boy last night. He rallied
after the operation and hope was entertained for his recovery. Early this
morning, however, his condition changed for the worse and death followed shortly.
	A peculiar coincidence in yesterday’s tragedy was the the messenger boy carried
No. 13 on his hat.
Medial Examiner Danser of Buffalo who was notified came here this morning and
investigated the case. Before coming here Dr. Danser consulted with District
Attorney Dudley at Buffalo relative to the procedure in the Tonawanda case. An
autopsy will be held on the body.
	It is quite likely that the Eberfeld boy will be charged with juvenile
delinquency.
	The funeral of Franklin Licht will be held Thursday afternoon a 1:30 o’clock
from the late home on South Niagara street and a half hour later from the First
Church of Christ, the  Rev. F. A. Higgins officiating. Interment will be made in
Elmlawn.

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