Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1881-05-03
Il TRAGIC AFFAIR.
Oficer Gruber Strikes Citizen with an
Oar-Lock, Infiicting FrightfuI Injury.

Officer Gruber Strikes Citizen with an
Oar-Lock, Infiicting Frightful Injury.
There was tragedy, which came near being
a fatal one, at the Sixth ward end of the bridge
last evening about s o'clock-a tragedy that
was, from all accounts, causeless. About
that time the day police patrol was leaving for
home, when it was found that pair of oar.
Jocks belonging to one of the boats had been
misplaced. Officer Frank Gruber became IT.
ritated, and ordered number of people off the
platform behind the saloon of William Bircher
He had some difficulty in clearing the space,
and was met by James Mcdonald, well.
known resident of the ward, who called his
attention to the fact that the oar-locks he
complained of having lost had merely been
transferred to another boat. Gruber ordered
him off the platform, and he obeyed so far as
to go into Brcher's saloon from the rear door
Gruber entered shortly afterwards and ordered
him to leave. He passed out of the front
door, when Gruber followed and accused Nc
Donald of having taken off boat belonging
to the police patrol. Mcdonald denied it.
Gruber told him he was drunk and lied. The
compliment was returned with emphasis, when
Gruber struck Mcdonald fearful blow with
an oar-lock which he happened to have in his
hand. Mcdonald staggered, and the blood
spurted from his wound in great stream
He exclaimed: -
"You've hit me?'
eyes, have, and I'll do it again." was the
reply.
Mcdonald tried to support himself as he
cried: "You'll be sorry for this" and fell
bleeding to the platform. He was carried tc
the drug store of George Marti near by, and
Drs. Wheaton and Davenport were hastil,
summoned. He was bleeding profusely, anG
| from an examination it was found that the en(
of the oar-lock had penetrated the left eye adj
joining the bridge of the nose, causing {
| wound nearly two inches deep. The instru
| ment had penetrated the nasal cavity and rup
| tured the main artery of the eye. besides break
| ing the muscle connecting the upper
| and lower eyelids. 1t was difficult at frs
| to ascertain the full extent Of tn
| injury, as the flow of blood was great, bu
after great labor DR.. Wheaton succeeded il
| tying up the ends of the artery and staunchins
| the henlorrhage. After the lapse of over al
hour the wound was dressed, and Mcdonald
| was conveyed to the city hospital, mucl
against his will. The physicians express thu
! opinion that the wound is not necessaril,
dangerous, land that unless Inflammation sets il
| the eye will be saved. The eXcitable characte
of the patient may result in injury, but will
| care both life aud eye may be saved, though i
| the would had been half an inch deeper death
would have been inevitable.
Sergeant Walsh appeared upon the scene 6
| few moments after the fracas. He at one
| ordered Officer Gruber to his home to remain
there until he received orders. The order wa
| obeyed.
! Mcdonald is spoken of as a peaceable citi
zen, never inclined to be quarrelsome
though occasionally quick at retort. The gen
eral sentiment among the witnesses of the al
fray is that the assault was without provoca
l fba no ctofa no
Mr. Gruber had been greatly annoyed during
the day by persons who had appropriated tn
police boats without authority. But an off
Ger on duty should learn that his first dut
is to preserve his temper under all circum
stances.