Gilstraps Wound Held Not Fatal
William McWilliam, 70, Fires 5 Times In Sommer Building Shooting Doctor Hit Once But Makes Escape
Steel-Jacketed Bullet Ranges Through His Body But Apparently Misses Vital Organs
Dr. C. L. Gilstrap, prominent La Grande man, was in the Grande Ronde hospital today seriously wounded and William McWilliam, aged janitor in the Sommer building, was dead.
Coroner L. L. Snodgrass said that McWilliam committed suicide with a 32 caliber automatic pistol after wounding Dr. Gilstrap about 10:30 o’clock this morning. No inquest will be held.
According to officers here, Dr. Gilstrap some weeks ago suspected McWilliam, janitor in the Sommer building for about nine years, of some thefts from his office. He informed state police, who investigated. As a result, McWilliam was dismissed, effective at the close of work today.
Suspect Temporary Insanity
Officers believe that McWilliam, after brooding over the case, became temporarily insane this morning and that the shooting and suicide followed.
As officers and others in the Sommer building described the shooting – actually witnessed by no one mot directly involved – McWilliam apparently had awaited an opportunity. The doctor came into the second floor hallway from an anteroom and as he shut the door behind him, McWilliam fired a first shot, standing in the doorway of an office he used. Apparently the first bullet hit the doctor, and then the wounded man ran for the stairs, McWilliam firing three more times but missing him. He then went back into his room and shot himself between the eyes, death occurring instantly.
Doctor Calls Officers
Meanwhile, Dr. Gilstrap went on downstairs to the Glass Drugs and called the state police. Minutes later he was taken to the Grande Ronde hospital by Coroner Snodgrass. X-ray pictures taken there revealed the bullet had ranged through about two-thirds of his body, entering his left side toward the back near the kidney. Examination by his doctor revealed that apparently the bullet had missed any vital organs. An operation to remove the slug was expected to be performed this afternoon. Baring unexpected complications, Dr. Gilstrap will recover, his doctor said.
Dr. Gilstrap never lost consciousness and maintained a cheerful conversation with those about him.
City, state and county officers all figured in the gathering of investigators. Police Chief W. F. Blancott temporarily took the automatic to the police station.
Dr. Gilstrap is very well known throughout this section of the Pacific northwest, and aside from his medical practice, he has taken an active interest in community affairs, and has been particularly active n furthering the La Grande airport development.
McWilliam was born in Old Town Sept. 16, 1866 and was 70 years, 11 months and 15 days of age. He lived in La Grande all his life, and had many friends who were sorrowfully shocked to hear of the shooting today. He made his home at 1301 Fourth street – diagonally across the intersection from the L. H. S. campus.
Survivors include his widow, Hattie and a niece, Mrs. Olive Wicks of San Diego.
The body is at the Snodgrass and Zimmerman mortuary and funeral arrangements will be announced later.
La Grande Evening Observer
Tuesday, August 31, 1937
Front Page
Contributed by: Tom Childers