The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1885-06-09
-Four Unknown Cracksmen
Break into Barley Bros.
They Bore the Safe and are
Interrupted by Officers.
a Fight Ensues and One ofthe
Cracksmen Dies.
Officer George Fifer Severely
Wounded in the Engagement.

mills was making his rounds, he discover
ed four unknown men creeping stealthily
around the west side of the mill, and as the
rays of his lantern fell upon them, they
raised up snd crossed rap
idly over toward Barley Bros,
and started up Vermont street.
He at once csme.o the conclusion
SOMETHING WAS WRONG
and discarding his lantern he lay in
wait to see what would develope
this was not lorg in coming for the men
soon returned down Vermont street and
after inspecting the blacksmith shop on
the west side of Barley Bros., doubtless to
see if any one was there, they crossed
over to Barley Bros Office window front
ing Vermont street and opening the blinds
endeavored to open the window, bu. failed
to get it up. They then went round to the
rear of the Office and effected an entrance
through the back door.
Satisfied of their mission the watchmap
returned to the mill and bowed his police
call. In a moment the
BURGLARS CAME OUT,
but failing to see any one, again re
turned inside. No policemen comiug
the Waterman FASTENED up town, and find
ing Officers Fifer and McGhee, notified
them of what was going on.
The officers Immediately started to
the scene, and on reaching Main
and Kentucky streets they separated,
Officer Fifer going south to the alley be-
tween Second and Main streets, passed
through it 10 Vermont street while McGhee
accompanied by Andy Gosssge, who
had come down with them past
up Main street to the Office, keeping the
middle of the street. They were not long
In discovering what was going on inside
and as Officer McGhee passed round onto
Vermont street he came upon
A MAN LYING DOWN.
Throw up your hands, cried McGhee.
Don't shoot! Don't shootl cried the
recumbent figure, rising to a crouching
position and making slowly up Vermont
street. AT this iuncture Officer Fifer came
round the alley, heading off the burglar,
and as he came toward him to arrest him
the burglar
SUDDENLY OPENED FIRE
firing four shots in rapid succession. The
first one passed through Fifer's hat rim,
and SO close was he to the burglar
that the powder burned the hat, bat
pair Of old wagon wheels inter-
vened, and before Fifer could
reach the desperate two more shots were
fired, the second one striking Officer Fifer
on the right side of the mouth, the ball
passing out at The back of the neck, barely
missing the main artery.
FIFER FELL
and as he went down called, @give It TO
him McGhee," but quickly raising to his |
knees just as the burglar fired his fourth
shot. Fifer returned the fire, striking the |
burglar over the left nipple, the ball
passing down into the heart and killing
him instantly. In the meantime McGhee
had been Fastening toward the com.
battants
AFRAID TO FIRE
for fear of killing Officer Fifer |
and as that officers fatal shot
struck the burglar and caused him TO
spring to his feet in his death agony,
McGhee reached him and caught
hold of him, but seeing he
was dead, let him 60 and |
picking up his pistol, which had dropped
from his hand, he started back to Main
street in
PURSUIT oF THE OTHER BURGLARS,
who had come out, and one of them
comingto the corner, fired at the officers.
Flfer also came down but was too faint 10
follew them and went to the station. The
burglars who had come out of
the rear door broke paling
from the Main street fence and passed
through, ran east on Main street TO Moni-
teau, and when in front of the livery stable,
one of them
FIRED AT FRANK GossAGE,
who was coming down Main street after
them. Don't turn the corner" cried Cos
sage to McGhee as he reached the stables
where two of the men had passed south on
Moniteau street while the third ran north
across the railroad, and that was the last |
seen o: them. Officer McGnee finding it
useless TO attemat to fellow
hem further, returned to the ,
station, anxious to care for his companion,
Officer Fifer and learn the extent of his in
uries. DR.. small was summoned and ex. .