Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1879-10-02
Terrible Encounter.

On Thursday night, the 18th inst, Jas.
H. Gaines, who for several years has made
his home ut Brownsville, Mower county,
having been to Austin, returned as fur as
Ramsey on freight train on the Mil
waukee & St. Paul road, reaching RAM
sey after one o'clock of Friday morning.
BY the same train a burly tramp, and by
tie way desperate character, who had
just served u term in Jail at Austin, also
came Ia Ramsey, getting off with Gaines.
1t being at the dead of night, each of the
few houses was closed, and the two, ut
the suggestion Of which we arc not able
to state, concluded to enter the small sand
house by the railroad track and remain
there until morning. They had but just
lain down when Gaines felt the hand Of
the tramp upon his hip In search Of his
pocket. Gaines Immediately thrust his
hand in his pocket and grasped his pock-
et-book, but no sooner had he withdrawn
it from his pocket than the desperate
seized his clutched hand, and terrible
fight ensued. The tramp held fast to the
hand Of Gaines and Immediately seized
in his teeth the right ear Of G., which he
bit nearly entirely off. In the desperate
encounter IN the dark, grim, pent up quar-
tiers, both fought their way to standing
posture, the desperate in the mean time
Selling Gaines thumb in his teeth down
at the first joint. Gaines was thus almost
powerless, and was rendered more 80 BY
his antagonist Selling him by the throat.
Gaines, however, tripped the desperate
ana both went down together. As they
fell Gaines put his hand upon small
stone, which he used, but TO little pur-
pose. A Car coupling pin was found in
like manner, but before it could be used
the ruff N seized one end of it, and
neither could for time make use Of it.
1t was more than evident to Gaines that
he must either conquer. escape, or be
killed. He knocked out window, and
as he attempted 10 escape wrested the
coupling pin from mis- assailant and struck
at him to break his hold, hitting HIM on
the head in all probability. Gaines went
to the hotel, and it we remember Alright
remained until morning, when he went to
Austin and gave himself up to the author
tiles. Search was made for the despera-
do, but he was not to be found around the
sand house, but was subsequently found
near the Touring mill, southeas. Of Ram
sey short distance, dead. From the des-
peratc character of the man there is no
doubt but that he would have murdered
Gaines had not the latter fought terribly
for his life. The authorities evidently
considered that Gaines had zone public
service, as he 10 doubt had, in meeting
the ruffian as he hal never been met be-
fore.
Games came to this place on Tuesday
and placed himself under the skillful
treatment OF DR.. Powell, who is endeavor-
ing to heal his ug.y WOundS.-L0nesb0r0
Journal.
We are informed by Justice L. n. Grit:
fifth, of tins city, that the above statement
is substantially correct, as related to him
by Gaines. It is an error that the man
Was found dead, however. He was seen
on the main road the next day after the
occurrence. and had the appearance Of
being pretty well used up. After this
Chief Of Police Riley made search for
him In vain.