The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1884-05-15
A Professional Leg Breaker.

Of all the odd means of gaining a
livelihood in the world that of an indi-
vicual who was in the city few days
ago Is probably entitled to the cham
pionship. The name he was last known
to fame as travelling under was John
l.. Wells, and he attracted the atten-
ton of an EUentng Star reporter. who
knew his peculiar history, while in the
act of boarding Rock Island train at
the Union Depot night before last
Wells is professional cripple, not of
the kind who wear placard and hold
hat in their laps at corners, but
more enterprising person altogether,
who makes a good living bloodsucking
corporations and cities. He first at
tracted attention in Detroit, Mich,
where a number of years ago he
brought suit against a local railroad
for damages done in being elected from
the train, resulting, he claimed, in the
breaking of his leg. The case seemed
to be all straight, and the company
compromised with him for So. COO rath-
er than to stand the expense of law
suit. Some time after he fell on bad
spot on an Indian apolis, Ind, pave
ment, again breaking. his leg. and the
city compromised for respectable con-
sideration rather than stand suit
which seemed sure to go against them.
In 1881 he came to Leadville. Col. fell
down and broke the understanding
leg, and sued the city. Some waftings
OF MS crookedness had reached the be-
nlghted camp, and it employed detec-
tlves TO look up the mans record.
Their investigations showed that he
had, in different parts of the country,
broken his leg about twelve different
times, dislocated his hip eight times,
and injured his spine twice, for all of
which he received valuable considera-
tions. However there was nothing be-
sides this to invalidate his claim, and
the city gave him six hundred dollars
to withdraw it.
Leaving Leadville he went to Colo
rado Springs, Col, where he promptly
hunted up defective spot On one of
the pavements, and sustained COM
pound fracture of the right leg below
the knee. His fame, however, had pre-
ceded him, and vigilance committee
called to interview him upon the mat
ter and to anoint nin with tar and
feathers, whereupon be leaped out of a
window and took to till timber on his
manned member. He was not heard
of again until the papers of Cincinnati,
Ohio, G. little less than two years ago,
contained an account of j. III. Wells
falling into an open scuttle hole on
Vine street, and sustaining a cruel
fracture of his leg. Shortly after the
court proceedings published contained
reference to suit entitled Wells VS..
the City of Cincinnati and claiming
$4,000 damages. Again his peculiar
history was ventilated, and again he
made so good showing. despite the
that the city was glad to compromise
on the basis of $500. If he has prac-
ticed his peculiar profession since, he
has not been heard from in this section
of the country, but his good clothes
and well-fed look conveyed the impress
sion that there was more or less suffer-
ing. among corporations somewhere.
Wells is perfect martyr in his cause
and will lay patiently on a sWeltering
summer day with his leg enveloped in
plaster of paris bandages waiting for
the city to come to time. In disloca-
tions of the hip he is said to be great,
and his evident agony is warranted to
move the hardest hearted of commit
teemen. Wells has rather attractive
little wife who helps him out materi-
ally in his business, and generally ap-
pears on the ragged-edge of starvation
on account of the accident Taken all
in all it is doubtful if the country CON-
tains another pair of such unique and
clever sharpers. The reporter who no.
ticed Wells shuddered for the ex-
chequer of the Rock Island as the leg
broken mounted the platform, but he
was evidently out on holiday, and his
departure was marked with no fracture
or other disasters.-Ka'asas City Star.