The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1885-08-15


A LIVELY FUsILADE BETWEEN
Town SERGEANT slime AND JOHN
DURR-NEITHER HURT MUCH-A
BRIEF History OF THE DIFFICULTY
A scene such as has rarely if ever
been enacted upon the streets, took
place in Morgantown one day last
week. 1t was shooting bout be-
tween Sergeant Slime and John
Durr, upon an attempt to arrest the
latter. The origin and development
of the trouble is about as follows:
In our last issue it was stated that
John Durr, Charley Brown and
Grant Cummins became intoxicated
and went down the river to the Wat
ton roost, disreputable place, where
they found some Italian railroad Ia
borers. A row was at once kicked
up, and the sons of the Caesars and
the Wattons were somewhat dam
aged. The next morning the trio
concluded to renew hostilities, hav-
ing secured fresh supply of liquor.
They stationed themselves in a gar
den which the Italians must pass in
coming to town. The latter soon
came along and were invited to en-
gage in pitched battle. They de-
clined to fight, saying that they
"came to America to work and not
to fight" However the America ms
wanted fight and was going to have
it, so they stoned the Italians and
chased them into town. They were
badly frightened, and went to hunt
the Sergeant, who was soon found.
Cummins and Brown were arrested,
but Durr made his escape for the
time being. When next seen and
accosted by the officer an hour or
two later, he declined to be arrested,
and presented a revolver, swearing
he would shoot the first man who
approached him. The officer being
unarmed abandoned the attempt to
arrest him. Later in the day Durr
raised other disturbances. He chas-
ed two Italions into Houston's law
Office and attempted to shoot them.
He also cut numerous.other capers. A
colored man was met who WAS COM
manded at the point of the revolver
to get on his knees and pray. The
darkey proceeded at once to dis
charge this oft-neglected duty. Dep
uty Sheriff Bailey. was met in the
road and halted, and Intercepted as
to what he wanted. When he in
formed DUR he was not hunting
him he was allowed to pass. In
this dare devil manner he conduct
ed himself until the Sergeant was
instructed to arrest him. The Ser
geant armed himself and found DUR
attempting to take refuge in a house
on Front street. At this point a
lively fusilade was opened between
them, seven or eight shots being
fired, but neither was hurt. Slime
procured a shot gun and watching
an opportunity fired, striking his
man about the head and shoulders
but not hurting him much. This
ended the trouble and Durr wus car
ried to Jail.
On Friday morning a hearing was
called, and while en- route from the
jail to the Mayors office Durr at
tempted to fill the eyes of the Of
ficers with snuff and make his es-
cape. This was not success, as he
got most of it in his. own eyes and
face. All three were returned to
Jail, and while on the way it is said
he made savage lunge at Tailor
Bailey with knife. The whole ar
rangement for his escape had been
well made, but badly miscarried.
On Saturday morning the town
authorities handed the prisoner over
to the State, and they must either
give bail for their appearance at
court or lay in Jail to await the ac-
tion Of the grand jury.