The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-08-22
A TRAMP'S READY PISTOL.
ENGINEER KEMPF SHOT AND
BADLY WOUNDED.

Two Tramps Put of Central Rail-
road Train at FOur-Mile Hilll Try to
XIII the Conductor and Shoot
the Engineer-The Wounded Man
Brought to the City on His Engine
Along With the Would Be Murderer
Who Is Caught Near the Scene of
the Shooting.
George Kempf, engineer on a Central
railroad construction train, was shot yes
terday at the Four-Mile Hill by Charles
Burgner, a tramp musician, who had been
put off the train. The shooting was done
with an English bulldog pistol of 44caliber.
The ball entered the engineers forehead
just above the left eye and ranged around,
it is thought, behind the eye
The wound is q serious one, the extent of
which cannot be told yet. Mr. Kempf was
brought TO the city on his engine and was
taken to his home, No. Al Sims street,
where DR.. Elliott dressed his wounds
Burgner was caught and brought down
at the same time and lodged in the Jail on
q charge of assault with intent to murder.
THE SHOOTING AT THE TRAIN.
The shooting took place about $3.50
o'clock. The construction train was stand
ing on a side track at the Four Mile Hill
when No. los. freight train, bound for
Macon passed. Before the freight train
cleared the switch the engine blew brakes
and the train stopped and the conductor
and train hand ran out on top Of the
cars. The trainmen on the construction
train suspected that something was wrong,
and they hurried up toward where the train
was standing. Engineer Kempf was in the
crowd. just before they reached the car
l. 1
two young tramps emerged from the cars.
One mad guitar, and the other carried
banjo. Just as the train started Off again,
one of the tramps drew pistol and looked
up as if trying TO see the trainmen on top
Of the car He did not do so, however, and
he replaced the weapon in his pocket. Be-
fore all of the cars passed him, he caught
glimpse Of the conductor on top of the car,
and whipping out his pistol he fired.
AIMED AT THE CONDUCTOR.
His aim was not high enough for the man
on top of the train, aud the load took effect
in Engineer Kempf, who was alongside the
car, between the tramp and the conductor.
The moment that the engineer recovered
from the shock, he jumped upon his engine
and got his pistol out of his box, and chased
the tramp. His wound was bleeding pro-
fusely and he was almost blinded. He
snapped the pistol several times at the
tramp, but 1t did not fire. The engineer,
wounded as he was, out ran the tramp and
captured him few rods from where the
shooting took place.
Other members Of the train ran up and
took Burgner from Mr.. Kempf and secured
the prisoner. Mr.. Kempf was assisted to
the train and placed upon the engine and
brought to the city. Burgner's partner was
also captured and brought down on the
same train. When he was searched at the
barracks the English bulldog was found in
his pantaloons pocket with one chamber
empty. Engineer Kempf preferred tae
charges against him and Burgner was
locked up. His companion was allowed to go.
THE ENGINEERS WOUNDS SERIOUS.
DR. Elliott said last night that the engi-
neer's wound is very serious, but he does
not think it is fatal. The hemorrhage was
so great that 1t was impracticable to probe
the bullet hole, aud n thorough examina-
ton Of the wound will not be made until
to-day. It is possible that the ball may
lodged behind the bail. If it entered above
the eve ball DIR. Elliott thinks he may be
able to save the eye.
The tramps have been seen around Sa-
vannah several times during the past
few days. When they were last seel
here they were at the Central
railroad depot They had, in add
ton to their musical instruments, a parrot
which they We're exhibiting, 1t is under
stood that they have been walking the line
between Savannah and Guyton for several
weeks
Engineer Kempfs statement was taken
by Officer HUMPHREYS and was turned over
TO Justice Warning Russell.