The Grange advance. [volume] (Red Wing, Minn.) 1873-1877, 1875-04-06
(From the St. Paul Dispatch, April ~
THE OAKDALE ASSAULT.


Editor St. Paul Dispatch:
In the account given in the D1spAr of
the outrage committed upon me, on the
evening of the 18th inst, one might infer
that Duschane had Financial griev-
ance.' or that the attack made upon me
was the result of the refusal to lodge him
for the night. Either conclusion would
be incorrect, for, in the first place, having
discharged him 1paid him eve1a more than
was his due. He had left my
place for period of five days.
When, on the evening of the 18th inst: he
returned sneakingly to my house, having
with him concealed weapon, a heavy
monkey wrench, which does not belong
here, nor to any of my neighbors, the
lamp had just been lighted, and sat by
the stove, bareheaded and in slippers.
When Duschane appeared in the door
way he presented himself to me as the
shadow of evil. Without rising asked
him what he wanted. He said Il want
to sleep here" I answered in firm
tone that he could not do so. He seemed
to acquiesce, and asked my wife for some
article Of dress of his which remained
here. She went Immediately to get it,
and during her momentary absence,
being still seated. Duschane fell upon me
| and had given me four or five blows with
the wrench on the head before I could re-
| alize anything. Ny wife then came to my
| assistance and was enabled to gain my
feet. A struggle then commenced which
cannot describe. The lamp was upset
and We fought in darkness. The assail.
| ant had command Of the door and would
not let my wife out for fear of an alarm
She then went through the window, leav.
ing me to struggle with the brute. I con-
tinnued to hold the wrench, and in return
received severe kicking and
choking. Duschane, apprehending
that help would soon be
at hand released his hold of me and
| fed.
When my wife got to the next house
| she was quite beside herself and did not
know where she was, thinking at least
that was dead. l had been hit not less
than twenty times on the head, besides
many bruises from heavy boots. My
wife had a wound OH the head about two
and half inches in length, and the lobe
of an ear split, and yet, wonderful as it
may appear, we kept our feet to the end.
God alone sustained us, and Him we thank
for our deliverapce.
hope to be able to attend to my ordi-
nary duties in week or so. l would
have requested you to make this correc.
ton at an earlier date had been in con.
| dition to do so. hope the other city
papers will also correct.
In conncctionvwith this affair may be
permitted to remark-what every one
{ will Acknowledgements crime of every
kind is daily on the increase. While at
| the same time all men are not agreed as
to the insuHciency of the penalty pro-
vided for it's punishment. When muir
derers, and kindred criminals are con-
vinced that hanging is not ''played out"
honest people may rest easier. In
dealing with our criminals it will De no
departure from charity to adopt the max
i'm ian eye for an eye and tooth for a
TOOTH" A strict criminal code, with a
swift and rigid application is the best
preventive of crime. The sooner we
lay aside sentiment" and s'philanthro-
py'' as applied to law breakers of all
descriptions, and return to common sense
| in dealing with them, the better for the
State, and the people who dwell in it.
Yours very respectfully,
W. ARMSTRONG.