Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1884-01-10
A STABBING ARRAY.
George aud VIII Clark Murderously Assault John
Kn0tweli.

Kn0twell.
On Thursday night. the 3rd inst,
another chapter was added to Grant
county's criminal history. Early FRI
day morning report was current that
crime of serious nature had been
committed in our city the night before,
rumors of conflicting and varying ma
ture being current during the day,
many of which were without founda-
tons, but all of which aroused the in
dignation of our citizens, and pointed
to the fact that a most heinous and dis
graceful crime mad been perpetrated.
About quarter after nine o'clock,
Thursday evening, j. II. Knotwell went
into the Commercial saloon on Maple
street, where he met George Clark.
| They passed sometime throwing dice,
perhaps half an hour or more. when
Knotwelland Clark arose a few minutes
before ten o'clock probably to go home,
stopped before the bar and commenced
| throwing dice again, when one of the
dice disappeared which Knotwell said
he could not find. Clark accused him
of having it in his pockets, which Knot
well denied, and told Clark to feel in his
pockets, which Clark did, but without
success. Soon after Knotwell missed
silver dollar which he had in his
pocket, and asked Clark to give him
back his dollar, which he accused
him of having stolen from him while
searching him for the dice. This anger
ed Clark very much. and he called
Knotwell ga - liar,'' whereupon the
latter promptly slapped Clark's face,
and a row seemed imminent, when they
were parted by spectators. They soon
got together again, however, when
Clark opened serge with billiard cue,
Knotwell defending himself with chair.
In this tussel Knotwell was victorious,
having tloored Clark. blackened his eye
and otherwise bruised him about the
face, when they were again parted by
bystanders. At this time, about ten
O'Clock, the saloon was closed for the
night, and Knotwell went. across the
street from the Commercial saloon into
the Office of the Lancaster House where
he boarded, and Clark went out, pre-
sumably to his home. Soon after, Clark
armed with knife, accompanied by
his brother Will, OIL .Puss'' as he is
called, armed with 6-shot Colts re-
volver, went into the hotel where Knot
well was sitting on lounge between
two other men. George stepped up to
Knotwell and said
II want to see your
"What do you want to see me for. "
replied Knotwell.
''To settle thatp" replied Clark, point
ing to his black eye with his left hand,
and at the same moment with his right,
stabbing him in the face, just in front OF
the left ear down to the chin, making a
cash about five inches long. AS soon
as Knotwell was stabbed he seized Clark
and dealt him blow, which hurled
him into the corner of the room, when
Will Clark struck Knotwell over the left
eye with the butt end of the revolver
he had in his hand, making another
ugly wound. Knotwell bled profusely
and so great was his excitement that he
did not realize he was hurt, until he
had almost tainted from loss of blood
DR.. Clark, father of the Clark boys,
soon appeared at the scene of the en-
counter, with his case of surgical In
struments, DIR. Barber was imme-
diately summoned, and the two physi.
clans labored with the injured man until
morning, when the bleeding was stop.
ped. On Friday morning, on complaint
of District Attorney Orr, Justice Bald
| win issued warrants for the arrest OF
the Clark boys, which were served by
Under-Sheriff JAS. McGonigal, who ar
rested them and brought them up in the
Justices court, and, as the condition OF
knotwel's wound was such as to make
it impossible for him 10 put in an APP
pearance, and it also being uncertain as
to the fatality of the wound, they were
held over for appearance at 10 o'clock
Wednesday morning in $1,000 bal
each, their father and mother, becom-
ing their security. Both the Clark,
and Knotwell are we'll known in this
vicinity, the former having resided here
more or less all their lives, are sons Of
DIR. p. A. Clark a well-known physician
of this city, and have not previous tc
this affair enjoyed an enviable reputa
ton. John Fl. Knotwell is young
man about &c years of age, native
of Beetown, where his parents reside
and has been engaged in the sewing
machine business in this city for nearly
two years past, and had the reputation
of being quiet, honorable and straight.
forward young man.
The occurrence of so sad an affair,
viewed from any standpoint, is one that
could not but shock any community and
cause universal and sincere regret. To
say the least it is an outrageous and in
decent insult TO the intelligent and law.
abiding citizens of this city, and pal
pably shows that too strong safeguards
cannot be exerted by the laws and moral
sense of our city in shielding and guard
ing our homes and city against the cul-
mination, and the demoralizing influ-
ences, of such rash and inexcusable ex-
hibitions of rage.
Rumors and stories many of which are
devoid of fact and as conflicting as they
are untrue have been afloat. notwith-
standing, we have endeavored to report
the plain facts of the case. The HERALD
reserves comment awaiting the action
of legal authorities.
/
Burton.
| Hip Hurrah hold your horses,
Or they'll get away,
Amt il pleasant with your sweet heart
Riding in sleighg
elmer thinks SOL
Mr.. L. NJ. Yager and family spent
4 H., l.