The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1869-07-15
A FIGHT FOR A WIFE.
Desperate Pursuit of Runaway
Spouse Pistol Practice Between
the Husband and the Fatner-The
Husband Seriously, if not MOrtally
KnunGnd.
From the New Albany Commercial.

| FROM tne New Albany commercial.
A shooting affair took place at Ander
son City- last week, which caused much
excitement among our citizens. One John
Able, living in Dubois county. had ma
ried the daughter of Patrick Dewitt, some
two years ago, the girl being about six
teen years. The wife became dissatisf
for some cause, and left her husband
Able, the husband, pursued her, and
on going to her fathers did not find her
there. The father told him he would 60
with him to where his daughter was, and
if she was willing to go back and live
with him, all right, but he was not will
ing that harsh means should be used.
So they started, Able having procured
Hampton Able, his brother, to help him
in Ii emergency They proceeded to
the house of Thomas Houston, in this
town. and there found the wife
The family of Mr.. Houston invited
them in, and when they entered, John
Able solicited his wife to go home with
him. She refused to go, saying she was
afraid of her life Able still coaxed, but
the wife refused Able then told that
he wanted to talk to her privately. They
stepped outside the door He talked to
her privately for while, and then
caught and kissed her, saying, snow
you will 60, won't you p mo, l will
not" she replied. Able then said, 81
will take you, dead or alive" Upon
this she sprang upon the door.
Mrs. Houston caught hold of Ter.
Able dragged them both out of the house
into the yard. Upon this, Patrick Dewitt
the father Of the wife, told Able to let
her alone Able drew his revolver on
Dewitt, and snapped it at him. Dewitt
knocked him down. Able got up, and
was again knocked down by Dewitt.
They had quite scuffle, when Able call
ed to his brother Hampton to take the
wife and start with her.
The brother seized her, dragging her,
and she screaming for help. Able then
got loose from Dewitt, and started on a
run to overtake Hampton and his wife,
swearing and threatening her life at the
same time. Dewitt procured a revolver
from Houston's house, overlook the two
Ables trying to force his daughter upon
horse, and she resisting by pushing
against the horse with her feet and
hands.
Able seeing Dewitt coming, told his
brother to make haste and get away with
his Cables wife, and he would fight
Dewitt back and on Dewitt approach
ing, Able told him to stand back or he
would blow his id brains out, present
ing the pistol at the same time and snap
ping the trigger.
Dewitt drew his revolver and fired two
shots at Able, and, having one load LETT,
deliberately revolved the cylinder till the
remaining load came under the hammer,
and again fired, one of the shots taking
eifct IL Able left arm, near the elbow,
the ball passing down and coming out near
the hand, SCATTERING one of the bones in
a dreadful manner.
Dewitt then returned to the house and
got rife, and overlook the three, John
and Hampton Able and the wife, about
one hundred yards from where he left
John. John was on his horse, and Hamp-
ton had hold of the woman, trying to put
her on the horse behind john. The
woman at this time was completely satu-
rated with blood from head to foot from
the wound on her husband S arm.
Dewitt, on seeing Hampton have hold
of his daughter, raised his rifle to his
shoulder, and was just in the act Of shoot
ing him down, when he threw up his
hands and begged Dewitt not to shoot
him. Dewitt said: 'D-n you, take
to the bush, or I'll shoot you dead on
the spot" Hampton than ran away.
By this time John vas off his horse,
and had hold Of his wife again. Now,
says Dewitt, Il say, John, let her go. "
John swore he would not, that he intend
ed to take her or kill her. Dewitt raised
the gun and drew bead at j ohm breast,
saying "Now, this is the last time III
tell Won: let her 90. or | will shoot YOU. -
Able then relaxed his hold, got upon his
horse, and galoped away. Up to the
last accounts Abel was in a precarlous
situation. He will lose his arm, and per-
haps his life.