The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-09-17
AN OFFICERS DEADLY AIM.
A Mixed Ball Ends with the Fatal
Shooting of a Participant.
Patrolman Meek Uses His Revolver with
Mortal Effect-The Story of
the Shooting.

There was one OF Hanover WlllldmS'S balls at
the dance house, corner of Wilkens and Tennes-
see streets, last night. It attracted the usual
crowd of negroes and whites who have BEEN
during the summer. diligent patrons Of the
place. John Welsh and Barney Blackwell
white and several colored men attempted at
various times to add interest to their frolcs by
creating disturbance with the managers of the
affair, the report goes There is one incident told
that will explain partly the dreadful ending of the
ball. Sometime during the evening, Welsh and
Blackwell had taken two colored women to Mus
mans saloon. While they were sitting at one of
the tables near window Merchant Policeman
Brstow of that district passed. when one of the
women said: There is copper"
That's only merch," said Welsh, 1--WE don't
care for him, but we will have to keep our eyes
open for Meek"
Going back some time ago, the story runs
that one Jones, colored man, was arrested
with woman on charge that commonly ap-
pears on the station house slate. Officer
S. T. Meek was the arresting Off
Ger. Welsh came on the scene
and, it is said, urged the crowd of negroes and
whites gathered there to rescue the prisoners,
gestion. The neighborhood is not Of the best
standing in the estimation of the police who say
that trouble is likely to occur there at any time
About 10 o'clock last night Officer Meek and
Bristow, his partner, Office Highland and mer
chant officer came from an eastern direction to
Williams's place. When they reached the house.
or rather dance pavilion, Meek said there is
trouble in there. You two 60 in
through the rear entrance and I'll
enter by the front door," This direction was
followed, and the officers met on the inside
when noise was heard out in front "I1l go out
and attend to that" said Meek. He
stepped out on the walk, but saw
nothing to demand immediate official interfer
ence except to caution the rowdies who were
waiting for an opportunity to let themselves
loose. While watching the crowd ne leaned one
arm on a window sill with his back turned half
way to the door. WEIGH approached him
stealthily and struck him on the head, the
officer falling under thei blow and
Meek recovered his footing and turned to look
for his assailant, when one of the crowd said
There he goes" The officer started after him.
and few PAGES on tripped and
fell, Welsh turned in his race and
cried out: "Catch me if you can,
you - of -. Meek by this time was on his
feet and resumed the chase. He drew his
volver and fired three shots. Welsh dropped to
the walk instantly. This account is given by
many who saw the difficulty from be ginning to
end.
Taking up Meeks statement. il is found that
the general features agree with those given
ing: 'Ihad benin the dance-house, and coming
out on the walk, stood by window with my
right arm resting on the SILL Two
white men and seven or eight ne
groes had been anxious for trouble. They
were refused entrance to the dance. and were
quite turbulent, but did not interfere. While
standing there some one threw bowlder, hit
ting my hat and knocking it off, I picked it up
and turned, as I thought. in the direction
from which the bowlder came when received
blow on the head with some hard
weapon. Two or three persons who saw the
man strike me said he had a Ratchet or small
ak Whatever it was, it knocked me to my
knees. When I got my footing some one said
There he goes | started after the man,
and fell again. Then the man turned
and said catch me if you can you - -. I
fired with the purpose of hitting him in the leg.
don't know who it is 1 shot. 1 do not think 1
ever saw him before tonight and am certain I
have never arrested him."
The patrol wagon went out to the place of the
affray and found the wounded man lying on the
walk about one half square from the dance
house. He was taken to the police station and
along in the wagon came Officer Meek,
who held himself ready for arrest. He
he shot was John Welsh, but said he did not
recognize it as that of one whom he had known
heretofore In few minutes DR.. Hodges came
to the station. and after examining the wound,
described 1t as one of a very dangerous charae-
ter. The ball from thirty-two- caliber pistol
struck Welsh on line of the lower part of the
shoulder, about midway of the back 1t
struck the spinal column, and, glancing off,
penetrated the left lung. The surgeon probed
four and "a, half inches; but could not recover the
station-house he had the paleness of
death upon him, and could not move his
lower limbs They had suffered paralysis
At times he moaned as if in severe pain, and
could not give statement of the occurrence
When the wound was dressed, with his
mother, Mrs. Haley, and step-father at
his side, he asked for priest
Within few minutes the Rev T. S. Mesker. of
st. Mary's parish. came and heard his confess
sion, after which he was removed to Flanner &
Hommowns abulance and taken to the
home of his parents, No. 80 Ann street
Welsh is twenty eight years of age, and is said
by his friends to be temperate and, altogether a
young man with no bad habits except to enjoy
bit of fun now and then. Two weeks ago he re-
turned from Cincinnati, where he was
in the employ of the c., II. & D. railroad as fore
man of a crew.
Officer Meek is regarded as an efficient police
man, brave almost to recklessness, but one who
at times lacks judgment. being excitable and apt
to take chances that in his cooler moments he
would let alone Captain Colbert did not order
until more thorough examination can be made
the benefit of the doubt. Whether it was justi-
fable or not must depend on investigation
Meek was relieved from duty and sent home
One oe the three shots struck colored man.
Joseph Nichol, runner for the National Hotel,
in the arm. 1t is said after the third shot Meek
tainted and again fell to the ground. The chances
for Welch's recovery are very slim.