Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-03-23
DESPERATE FIGHT WITH BUR
GLARS
Two policemen Attacked.
A House Entered.
Thrilling Midnight Adventure.


About quarter past two O'Clock yester-
day morning as officers Dick Reed ana
Harry Mansfield were coming down Cedar
street near the penitentiary they heard
noise Of supicious character, and being In
the vicinity of McCreary street soon ascer-
tanned the locality which was Tom Eaton's
grocery No. 81, on McCreary street from
which the sounds proceeded. Going to the
grocery they knocked on the door, which
was Immediately opened by man from
within. Officer Reed asked why the noise
was being made in the house, to which the
man from within very abruptly replied that
he "was the proprietor there and it was all
right" taking care however to close
and lock the door. Being quite
dark and unable to clearly see
his face the officers concluded he was the
proprietor, and being angry because ques-
toned by an officer of the law was why he
so promptly opened the door when they
knocked and was so abrupt in his manner.
AS the officers started off, the supposed
proprietor quietly unlocking the door,
stepped out on the pavement and started to
run, whereupon Reed fired. The burglar,
however, lost no time in getting away and
being pursued by both of the officers who
fired simultaneously as he turned the
corner of Knowles street at Fisk University.
AS soon as he got around the corner he
fred three times at the pursuing officers,
who were also fred at by an unknown per-
son, supposed to be confederate, stationed
near Eaton's grocery. The police promptly
returned the fire, exhausting twelve shots.
The last time they fred the burglar whom
they were pursuing was seen to fall,
and thinking he was killed. or at any rate
wounded, they made a rush towards him.
In this they were mistaken, for seeing the
design of the officers he quickly regained
his feet, fred one more time, the bullet
grazing officer Mansfield's head. This did
not daunt the brave officers, who redoub-
ling their efforts, chased the
burglar 10 the shanties on
Knowles street where he eluded
further search. Nothing except the flash
of the pistol was seen Of the party who
fired from the rear upon the officers. The
person in the house had on a blue military
overcoat, wore slouched hat and was with
out shoes. Upon examining Mr. EatOn's
grocery, it was found that the bur
glars had gained an entrance by
cutting out two Stats of the window blind,
through which they reached and unlocked
the door. Owing 10 the prompt appearance
of the officers no time was afforded the
thieves to do much damage. A pair of
pants belonging to Mr.. Eaton was found on
the pavement in front of the grocery, and
seventy-fve dollars in bank bills that had
been left on the mantel were not disturbed
by the burglars.
From all evidences it is thought theIbua-
glars were negroes, and it might have Jared
badly for the policemen had they, after ex-
hauSting the contents of their pistols, came
in contact with the burglar in the wooden
shanties on Knowls street. They deserve
credit for their bravery which merits sue
cess in every undertaking, as the one above
narrated, where there is much of personal
risk and danger to an officer.