Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1886-11-11
AN OFFICERS FIGHT FOR LIFE.
Decoyed Into building in Chicago and
Assaulted by Three ROughs.

Decoyed Into a Building in Chicago and
Assaulted by Three Roughs.
CHICAGO, November 10.-Officers AL
fred Krantz and John F. Gustafson met
last night with thrilling experience,
which reads more like French detective
story than the plain record of the Chicago
Police Department These two patrolmen
have long had their posts on North Market
street, the toughest quarter of the North
division. In the course of the numerous
arrests they have made within two months
they have frequently been forced to resort
to their weapons, not only for the assertion
of their authority, but rs matter of self
defence. A number of the "toughs" have
been wounded, and these, with their
friends, have sworn oaths of the direSt
vengeance. The policemen laughed and
proceeded to the enforcement of law and
order whenever the opportunity presented.
About two o'clock this morning Officer
Krantz stood at the corner of Locust and
Market streets, when he perceived q
drunken man approaching him from the
south at staggering pace. The man was
very drunk, and the officer stopped him,
inquiring where he lived. The inebriate
fell against the fence, but managed to lisp
1853 Oak street, rear" As this address
was close at hand the policeman supported
the man on his arm and conducted him
thither. A knock promptly brought an
old wOmOn to the door. krantz turned to
L. hn IL
denly Strengthened up to his full length
and seizing the officer by the throat hurled
him into the house. Krantz fell at full
length into the middle of the room, the
outer door flew shut, the old woman van
ished and three men with clubs and pis-
tolls sprang from the dark recesses of the
chamber. AS he regained his feet krantz
was struck half a dozen terrible
blows over the head and body.
Staggering with pain the officer was still
able to produce his pistol. He fired with
out hesitation. On the instant the candle
was extinguished and three heavy bodies
fell to the floor. The wild scene which
followed in that small chamber is beyond
description. Pistol shots began to ring
from every corner. The flashes came from
the level of the floor and the officer re-
sponded by directing his shots downward
into the darkness. By preconcerted ar
rangement the men had thrown them
selves upon their stOmachs and were firing
upward. The noise of the fusillade
reached the ears of Officer GustafsOn, two
blocks away, and guided by the sound, he
reached the scene. The door was bolted;
he cried out He heard krantz reply
through the rattle of arms, appealing for
help. With superhuman effort Gustatson
burst the door off its hinges and dashed in.
The shots ceased on the instant, because
the pistols were empty, and the three men
made rush for safety. Gustatson fired in
the face of the first man, and he fell back
as though wounded.
Two officers attacked the remaining vii
lains and desperate fight between club
and shotgun followed. The neighbOrhOod
by that time was aroused and several citl-
zens hastened to the aid of the policemen.
The would-be murderers of Krantz were
then Overpowered without further delay
At the East Chicago avenue station they
gave the names of Thomas Cronin, Patrick
Healey and Francis Mccarthy. An inyen-
tory Of the results found the walls and
floors of the house were riddled with bull
let's Officer Krantz was bruised and cut
in many places and Cronin and Healey
were beaten almost beyond recognition.
The three men were arraigned before
Justice Kerston this morning, charged
with assault with intent to kill, and their
cases were continued ten days to give the
police time to reveal the conspiracy.