Dodge City times. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1876-1892, 1885-02-05
An Enterprising Policeman

AL IuItI uIlSluS UllCtludu
A policeman was awaking echoes Oh
silent night by the measured tread of hi
heavy footsteps on the pavement of Fifth
avenue, when he was startled by shril
cries of "thieves" and murder close
at hand. Being young man, eager t.
distinguish himself, he ran at the top O
his speed in the direction whence thu
sounds proceeded, and found a small
group of men, including another patrol
man, congregated outside of large
house.
"What's up?" he inquired of his side
partner.
BLESSED il l know. The wome.
seemed too frightened to do anything ex
cept scream" growled the officer, an Ole
hand-apostrophising the row of heads
which were thrust out from the upper
windows. "Hi, there! come down anC
open the doorw
81 believe somebody has been shot.
am sure heard report as L turned the
corner" said a young gentleman in even
ing dress, who was apparently returning
from the ball.
"Here, you run round to the back,
said the first patrolman to the other
make your way in, if you can, and I'll
stay here till the door is opened"
The patrolman started off on his errand
with alacrity, and, turning the adjacent
corner, climbed over the ratings into a
garden at the rear of the premises. He
had no difficulty in identifying the house
in its altered aspect, for a light in the
basement attracted his attention. The
dining room had French windows open.
ing on to An ornamental iron bridge or
gangway which spanned the area and led
into the garden. One of these windows
was slightly ajar, and the officer, grasp
ing the bull's-eye lantern firmly with his
left hand. walked across the bridge and
entered the room. Passing through the
apartment, and throwing a ray of light
right and left as he walked, he came to
the hall, and was advancing straight to
the entrance door to give admission to
his colleague, when he encountered a
white-clad figure crouching in recess
which was used for hanging coats and
hats. He experienced a thrill of nerv-
business, and involuntarily laid his hand
on his club. A second glance, however,
convinced him that he had not to deal
with a burglar or desperate character.
The individual was a gentleman in his
night attire, trembling violently, and in a
hall. fainting condition. The patroleman
rightly assumed that it was the master of
the house, and addressing him roughly,
but respectfully:
whats up, sir? I'm a policeman"
"They-they have shot him." gasped
the other, triflle treasured at the sight
of the constable's uniform.
"Shot who?"
"My butler"
"Who did it?"
"The-the burglars"
"Well, we had better open the door
Come, sir, there is nothing to be afraid
of now" he added, little contemptu-
ously. "You Understand the bolts and
fastenings. I'll trouble you to lend me
hand"
|. After brief search the body of man
was found huddled up on the floor of the
kitchen, which smelt strongly of gum
powder. A candle was burning on the
dresser, the reflection of which had been
seen from the garden at the back. One
of the party was neighboring surgeon,
and he at once knelt down beside the
PROSTATE man, who was dressed in his
shirt and trousers, and with professional
GOODNESS examined the nature of his in
jury. ;,
"He is dead, poor fellow" remarked
the doctor, guilty, after short pause.
"Shot, sir?" inquired the policeman.
ayes; shot through the lungs. Here
is the wound, you see. l can do moth
ing" added the doctor, gently releasing
his hold of the man, and rising to his
feet.
While this survey was proceeding the
captain had been sent for and shortly
afterward made his appearance, and ,ex-
amining the premises, proceeded to in
terrogate the inmates of the house.
The householder had, in great meas
ure, recovered from his fright, though he
was still pale and nervous. He was an
elderly man, with gray hair and whiskers,
and now that he had dressed himself he
looked comparatively calm and selt-pos-
sessed.
"Will you tell me what you know of
this affair."" asked the captain.
"When my wife woke me up jumped
out of bed, Immediately, feeling rather
dazed, and joined the butler outside,
without waiting to dress. He whispered
that there were thieves in the house, and
led the way down stairs. followed him.
] don't know what we were going to do
exactly. We went down without max
ing q sound, for was barefooted, and so,
/ think, was the butler. The moment
after he had entered heard voices, fol-
lowed by loud report, a groan and a
heavy fall. By chance. l came across a
box of matches. struck one with great
difficulty; and then Lit candle which
was standing on the dresser. The poor
butler was uttering low means, which
ceased as bent over him. I then per-
ceived he was dead"
The unfortunate gentleman was evil
IDENTIFY quite unnamed by the scene
which he had witnessed. He seemed al
most hysterical. showing that the shock
had seriously affected his nerves.
An inquest was held, at which the
householder repeated his story, and the
inquiry, which gave the coroner an ex.
cellent opportunity of airing his import
ance, determined in verdict of willful