The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-09-25
ATTEMPT AT MURDER
Gus Austin Has a Desperate Fight with
Robbers at Orange Mills.
From the Pulatka (Fla.) Herald.

From The Paldtkd (Fld.) Herald.
Clark Simkins and Gus Austin are two
young men who take care of the Mays
grove at Orange Mills. Last Sunday night
they went to the postoffice for their mail,
and when returning, Mr.. Simkins stopped
for the night at Col Dancy's place, Mr..
Austin going to his home at the Mays
place. When he arrived at the house,
the door was shut and fastened on
the inside by means of a string. He
did not know how to account for
this, as neither he nor his partner had
fastened the door in such manner. He
took out his pocketknife, cut the string and
pushed the door open. On going into his
room Austin found two strange ,men lying
on his bed. As quick as a fash they sprang
to their feet, Que of them drawing an i'm
mense knife Austin, who carried a cane,
used it as best he could; but when the man
made lunge at him in the dark room with
the knife, he threw up his hand, in which
he held a bucket. the knife going clear
through the thu pail, splitting Austin's hat
rim in the 'front.' Then desperate encoun-
ter ensued. The other man stood watch in
the door while his demon friend was at
tempting the brutal murder. But he had
his match.
Austin would not give up. His life de-
pc ded upon his courage and muscle. and
then was the time to display it. Round and
round the room the two men had it, neither
gaining on the other, until finally Austin's
antagonist got him down on the floor. He
thought his time had come. No one was
near to lend assistance should he call The
demon raised his knife to plunge the blade
into the heart of the helpless man under
him, when Austin called out: Come in
Simkins, with that gunm This frightened
his antagonist when he released his grip
and followed his partner to the river.
While the two robbers or murderers were
retreating through the front door, Austin
got out his gun from between the mattresses
The load of buckshot would not fire, but the
barrel containing bird shot struck with
good effect in the back of the man with
whom he had had the encounter.
The two strange men tnen made for the
river, and as Austin was loading the empty
barrel of his gun with fifteen buckshot, he
heard one of the men jump from the dock
into the river. The moon was giving a
bright light and reflected beautifully on the
river.
Austin, after regaining his full sense aud
having quietei down, crept slowly along
with his gun to large oak tree near the
waters edge and there rested under the
shade, awaiting the man to come out. In
about fifteen minutes, about 100 yards from
where he was stationed, he saw the object
Of a man wading waist deep in water to-
ward the bank of the river. Austin le~eled
his gum fired, and when the echo resounded
on the quiet water. the man called out,
"Murderm
A search was made afterwards, but moth
ing could be seen except sprinkhug of
blood on the leaves and dead wood.
Mr.. Austin. besides having his hat cut,
had his clothes slit in many places across
his breast and ms, but received no flesh
wound.
Just where the mon came from is not
known, but the evidence left can verify the
truth of this thrilling experience Of Gus
Austin.
The two men are supposed to be tramps,
going about to steal and beg, willing to
commit murder if necessary.