The Old Times: SHOOTING VICTIM LOSES BOTH EYES

 


Here's a real fun one from The Detroit Times, on January 2nd, 1908. Apparently in 1908, the real estate on the front page was limited. The vagueness of this wildly intriguing story is maddening. Here it is:

Alexander Van Houteen, the Belgian shot by Gustave Meert, a countryman, in Remi Tank's saloon, No. 1193 Jefferson-ave., Tuesday night, will lose both his eyes as a result of the wound. The doctors in St. Mary's hospital have tried in vain to save his sight, and on Friday both eyes will be removed. It is thought Van Houteen will live, Meert is in custody and will probably be prosecuted on a charge of assault with intent to kill. 

Where was Alex shot? Why was Alex shot? Why was Alex Belgian? Why did they always disclose where the people in the story's home address? These are things left up to the readers' imagination in this story. Poor Alex though. The guy's eye are gone now. A total loss of vision has to be devastating, especially in the early 1900's when things like the Americans with Disabilities Act isn't enacted for another 82 years. I couldn't find much on either gentlemen, except that Gustave died in 1937 in Jackson, MI. This means that more than likely he was in prison at some point. 

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