St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-09-14
BRUTAL MURDER.
An Owatonna Policeman Killed by
Circus Canvasman.
The Murderer Arrested and in Fair Way
tC be Lynched.
lsnecial Telegram 10 the Globe.l


OwAToNNA, Aug. 10, 1sS4-A foul and most
unprovoked murder was perpetrated here last
evening about II p, m. the victim being John
Blair, special policeman, and the murderer one
Kelly. who was boss canvas man for S. II. Barrett
6 Co.'S circus which showed here yesterday
friday afternoon and evening. 1t seems that
Blair had his attention called to the actions Of
this Kelly who was trying TO inveigle rather
green sort OF looking girl away with him as the
crowd was about dispensing. Blair had taken
hold of the girl and was walking off with her
through the crowd, when Kelly, who had made
number Of threats against him, ran up behind
him and struck him over the side Of the head
with tent stake, some two feet long, knocking
him crazy for few moments. He was at once
supported, and the circus gang
being rallied at the sound OF their
signal whistle crowded about and let the rufian
escape. Blair recovered in a few moments and
was able to walk and even to talk, but became
Insensible soon after reaching home saying to
his wife, al feel 50 tired and died at o'clock
this Saturday morning.
An inquest was summoned by Coroner L. j.
Harrington, composed of the following persons:
L. L. Bennett, John Sewell, Jr., B. S. Cook,
Geo. E, Peck, Henry Jones and ". A. Dynes.
large number OF eye Witnesses were eZ-
amined VITO all testified to the occurrence ss de-
Jailed and the remains were viewed
The post mortem showed not only
q fracture Of the skull but that
email pieces were driven into the brain and the
wonder is that the ever able to speak
orwaIk. The following is the verdict Of the
coroners jury:
''We the jury find that the deceased came TO
his death from the effects OF blow upon the
head with some blunt instrument in the hands Of
party to US unknown
John Blair, the deceased, was marble cutter
by trade, was about thirty five years of age
and well connected. lie had been
at one time upon the night force FOR year and
was regarded as fearless and intrepid officer
He leaves wife and child, who are not in
very good circumstances. lie was and old sol
dier and member OF the G. A r., which organ
ization will probably have charge OF the funeral,
the city coming to the front to dcfray all ex-
penses. lie was well thought Of as man
and citizen and the sad manner Of
his death while in the performance
Of duty exciles the sympathy Of everybody. As
the severity OF the injuries which Blair had re
Ceiyed were not known before the circus train
left they allowed to depart in peace and
Kelly doubt sneaked aboard with them
Sheriff Hugh Murrey, however, followed the
train to Rochester and succeeded in finding and
nrrcsting his man. He was lodged in Jail ut the
latter city and at present writing is uncertain as
TO his being brought up here mme-
diately as strong threats of lynchng
are heard upon every hand.
The girl who was the cause Of the whole mat
ter was found by the GLOBE representative in Il
cell at the county JAIL where she had been placed
for safe keeping as witness. Although very
rsticent and refusing to talk previously, she par
italy unlocked her jaws and stated Tint her
name wa, Emma Rigiene and that she came yes
to-day from Tasoca, where she had been
for time working for Mr.
Louden, proprietor Of the Dayton house That
she came TO Owatonna to attend the circus but
had never seen the murderer before. She adj
Inittcd that he was trying to get her to 90 with
him but said she did not ask for help. She saw
him up behind the policeman who had hold
Of her arm Leading her away and strike him She
was very much ashamed OF her part in the
transaction evidently aud did not want
lcr mother, who lives ten miles from New Tim,
% hear OF it. She Is large, Gcshy person,
ibout twenty years Of age, ana has a sort OF
Hull, sod look, as II che was rot exactly bright
She Will be detained a witncss II f. most
Earnestly To be hoped that an example mny be
made OF this scoundrel. 1t has come to this
pass that every time a circus gang comes
O. town in any OF the smaller places
in the country, the local authorities
must stand aside and let the gang paint
the town red II they want to. Thieves, gam
blers and cuthroats OF the worst description gen
orally make up large share OF the party and
he public in smaller places are usually at their
mercy. As was the last evening, at the
sound OF the whistle the bralsers all rally, and
il wants about die OF men armed with Win
chcster' to contend against them. No city ought
10 allow them to exhibit. Their entertainments
are demorallzing to society, and officers Of the
law and decent people generally find life and
property In danger.
Special Telegram to the Globe.
owAroNNA, sept, 10, o p. m.-The murderer,
Kelly, was brought mp here from Rochester this
evening and lodged in jail. There are ominous
gatherings and talk OF lynching, but It is not
thought any violence viii occur tonight II would
not be surprising Il he should be lynchcd a. soon
rs some organization can be perfected. az the
feeling runs high and the hopclcssues, OF melting
put legal justice in view OF our laws, is generally
understood.
Logan at Detroit.