Turner County herald. (Hurley, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1884-05-08
THRILLING SCENE ON A CAR.

II Opens for Tragedy and Ends with a
serkdins e.ad n Tabieau-Ihs = s, Conductor Gar r
Cut His Throat
Passengers on the Chicago & Alton
train that left Kansas City the other
evening for st. Louis Witnessed thrill
ing incident, which had an interest
second only toa train robbery, occurring,
as it did, at the dead of night, and while
the train was rattling along at the rate
of about thirty miles an hour. The
train left Kansas City in the evening,
and among the passengers who boarded
it at one of the way stations was a man
named Powell, druggist, of Gillian,
Mo. Conductor j. W. Dunsmore came
through the train from tho forward part,
collecting tickets. When he reached
the place where Powell sat he stopped
for his fare. Powell said that he wanted
to get off at Gillian.
"This train does not stop at Gillian"
said the conductor. "You will have to
ride to Glasgow, as that's our nearest
stopping place"
"But don't want to go to Glasgow"
responded Powell, growing very indig-
nant.
II can't help that; I have to obey
orders. This train never stops at Gill
liam"
A controversy followed, in which
Powell got very angry, but finally he paid
his fare and the dispute was supposed
to be settled. Dunsmore moved on
through the train collecting fares. He
had gone few yards only when Powell
got up, put one hand in his pocket, and
followed. He overlook the conductor
near the rear of the second car from the
last. just as Dunsmore had opened the
door and was stepping out on the dark
platform Powell came up close behind
him, threw his left arm around Duns-
more's head, and pulled it back so as to
expose his throat At the same instant
he drew from his pocket with his right
hand large pocket knife, the blade of
which was opened, and made a desperate
attempt to cut Dunsmore's throat.
The conductor was at great disad-
vantage. The train was running stsuch
high rate OF speed as to make foot
hold on the platform somewhat preca-
rious, and the roar and darkness prevent
ed HIM at first from Judging of the
character Of the assault. His disadvan-
tage was increased by the fact that one
OF his hands is MANNED, and he has only
partial use of it. Still he was game,
and, throwing up his good arm, he man.
aged to strike the hand that held the
knife just as it was reaching for his
throat. The effect was to change the
direction of Powell's thrust and the
knife sank into Dunsmore's cheek lust
below the eye. A hard pull at it made
it tear its way in semi i-circular course
through the flesh, barring the cheek bone
for several inches. Dunsmore clutched
at the knife, but missed it, and Powell,
still garroting him from behind, made
another thrust at his face, cutting the
other cheek in exactly the same manner.
Before he could strike again Dunsmore,
who is muscular man, tore himself
free, and, turning round, struck Powell
two heavy blows in the face with his
good hand, knocking him back several
feet into the Car through the open door.
The passengers by this time became
aware of thedesperate struggle going on,
and separated the men. Powell resumed
his seat.
Dunsmore went through the next car
and, almost crying in his anger at the
assault, begged that somebody lend him
revolver. One ef the passengers, on
learning the circumstances, gave him
revolver, first, however, exactiug
promise that he would use it only for
the purpose of arresting Powell, and not
for revenge. Cooking the weapon,
Dunsmore went forward to the car where
Powell sat. AS Dunsmore entered the
car with cooked revolver, cleaning eyes,
mutilated face, and clothes, cheeks and
whiskers covered with blood, the pict-
ure was most dramatic, and the pas
sengers, who didnot know of the promise
given by him when he procured the pis-
tol, were appalled, at the prospect Of
tragedy. Approaching theseatoccupied
by Powell, Dunsmore covered him with
the revolver, and, in voice which was
heard above the roar of the train, ex-
claimed:
"Now throw up your hands,"
Powell saw by the wounded mans
eyes that death was the only alternative,
aud ho slowly and sullenly raised his
hands above his head and remained
motionless. The tableau was striking
one. Dunsmore ordered him to give up
that knife. Still holding up one hand
he put the other in his pocket and pro-
ducsd the knife, which Dunsmore took
possession of. He was then told that he
was prisoner and he remained perfect
ly submissive until the train reached
Glasgow, where he was given in charge
of constable. The CONDUCTOR wounds
are not of dangerous character, but he
will bo disfigured for life.
-.-...--.==. Il
"JoHN, what is that scar on your