The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1851-11-27
A Desperate ARRAY.

! A Desperate ARRAY.
The town of Lacon, Ill.,, was tho scene of
"A desperate atfray between two men who
had no cause of aninosity towards each
other, aud were entire strangers. One of
them was named Cyrus BoIles, a day labor
er, man o.: uncommon strength, and some
what addicted to brawls. The other was
blacksmith, by the name of VIM. Hoover,
a man of extraordinary physical powers,
somewhat of a bully, yet regarded as
Tpeaceable citizen, if not molested. BoIles
thought he could whip Hoover, and sought
him out at grOg-shop, where he COM
menceh sundry petty annoyances, such as
sticking his feet between Hoover's legs and
attempting to draw him from his chair
Hoover inquired what be mean,--what he
wanied OF him? The account from the La
con Gazette goes on:
BOles repeated the annoyance, when
little scui11e ensue,l, which then ended in
: HOover's backing him to the wall by the
arms; and holding him with his iron grasp,
snapped his teeth at him in part Jest and
part earnest, and laughing him in the face,
told him he could eat him up. Released,
Boiles left the room; and il was hoped and
believed by the bystan,lers that he would 60
home and nothing serious ensue. He how
ever shortly returned; and as he was leav-
ing store n few rods from the grog-shop,
a long knife was observed in bis hand, and
he was heard to remark that he was going
up to strip open HoOver"--''that he would
kill him. He returned with the knife stuck
under the sleeve of hi. right arm and hold
ing his gun in his left. Hoover's attention
was turned TO the knife partially concealed,
and was advised TO avoid a conflict, as ter
rible consequences might he the result
But Boles having threatened to kill him,
and used IN his presence menacing language,
the former stepped Our of the door into the
street, and Hoover followed, saying at the
same time that he would see whether he
would kill him.
Bolles advanced upon Hoover with his
knife drawn ani his gun in his left hand,
and commenced by making passes TO stab
him. But every time he struck, the assaii-
ed flung himself upon the ground aud lenpt
TO his feet while he raised his arm. But be
fore he succeeded in getting hold Of and
vrenching the knife from him, BoIles stab
bed him in the left shoulder, the knife en-
terng about two inches, and also cutting
him across the fingers. He then used his
gun, AMI with the breech made several at
tetnpts to hit him on the head, but by again
as before, dropping to the ground and gain
ing his feet, he succeeded in lodging the
most deadly blows, bur was hit more or less
upon the head, and his hands very badly
bruised in fendng the blows. He finally
caught the gun harrel-aiI that was left of
it-and likewise wreuched it from his as
saiant.
BolIes then took ,e his heels and Hoover
followed. They ran few hundred yards,
when Hoover halted, and Bolles, being sew
ernl rods ahead, also stopped, picked up a
board, aud returning, made at once at Hoo
yer and struck too or three times at him; he
here Tended the passes with the gun barrel;
and taking his opportunity, aud in the hur-
rIcane Of passion which had been awak en-
Ell, made, with his Herculeaa strength
clean sweep with the iron weapon, and sunk
it deep into the head of his antagonist, who
dropped as soon as if thunderholt had
struck him. He was taken to the Marshall
House, and Drs. Boal and Golliday and
IOmps0n called, who were soon in attend
ance. 1t was an awful spectacle, blood flow
ing PrOfuscly from the wound, and the
wretched victim totally nsensible to all sur
rounding objects. The wound was some
five inches in length, snd when enlarged, as
was necessary in order TO ascertain the ex-
tent of the injury done to the bone, il was
seven or more inches, and then the fracture
was found tn involve the orbitar process Of
the frontal bone, running nm unknown depth
into the bony oibit, and extending the full
length of the left paretal bone, presenting
tt depression four inches in length by one
and half TO two in width, besides several
fragments Of he frontal bone which had
penetrated the Substance Of the brain, and
which, when removed, left considerable
space Of brain uncovered, aud protruding
from the wound.
1t was the opinion Of the surgeons and
others, that he would not survive the night, 4,
but he did, and once gave indications Of re-
turning consciousness; and at this writing;
| Wednesday, he is still alive, and has his
senses, though not able 10 speak The ope-
ration of trephining WAS performed hy DR..
Boal, assisted by Drs. Golliday and 'romp-
son; from which the patient seemed to de-
rive benefit. But his recovery is considered
extremely doubtful.
! Hoover left town about two hours after
the fight, and has not since been heard from.
A warrant was issued and placed in the
hands of the Sheriff for his arrest, hut such
was the state of the public mind that he
could obtain no assistance to go in pursuit,
and the affair goes uninvestigated.
! PERPETUAL MoIIoN-The Red Land,
(Texas,) Herald Of the lIth inst saws that