River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1889-11-28
A MlpNlGHT ARREST.
How City Policemen Chase Down and
Capture an Offender


Capture an Offender.
dark figure shot out from the
shadows east over the south end of
Washington Square. 1t went running
across the open plaza, not following the
paths, or the roadway, but taking a
straight line to the opposite side. The
gait was not so rapid as it first seemed.
1t was more like the long. easy lope of
horse. There was a carefulness about
the stride which indicated that the rum
ner was on the lookout for a trap or an
ambush, that he was ready instantly to
change his course if necessary, to stink
away in some dark street or to make a
holder dash for refuge further on. Once
he half turned his head to look back,
and then, apparently satisfied, slackened
his pace.
OF sudden there came the sharp ring
OF a club as il struck the pavement, and
almost at the same instant another fg-
ure came running out of the dark
ness. This one was plunging ahead vio-
lently, and as It dashed past lamp
post there was CLEAN of brass ON the
coat. The steps OF the first man were
light, and they moved noisclessly, while
the pounding of the pursuers feet on
sidewalk. the cobblestones and then the
pathway, could be heard across the
square. At the first clang of the club
the man fleeing heightened his stride,
his pace quickened until he seemed like
dark streak flashing along. But he
did not look back. He was in no danger
of being overtaken. He looked only
ahead.
The first alarm was followed by
succession OF others. They, like the
heavy tramp of the chasing feet. varied
in tone. Nov the sound was clear and
ringing. as the club fell fairly and
firmly on a pavingstone, again it was
muffled by the uneven cobbles and then
dulled by the asphalt in the park. But
the running man paid no heed 70 this by
any change or direction or movement.
lie was running swiftly and was drawing
away from his clumsy followers. In q
moment he would be across the open
space and making for some street. But
after one ring OF the club, there came q
sharp response from the opposite d.
rection. The first runner turned aside
quickly, cutting AVA diagonally. His
oltD1 htAt trNNA0 a hdlAoM
street on the left. Still another figure
came into view making for the same
point. This runner was trying to cut
OF escape 10y that side. while his club
was now adding repeated blows 10 tho
pavement
From the extreme left came another
man, and three clubs were nOw sending
out alarms on the night air. al the
runners began 20 close in. The pursued
made desperate squirt for the open
street, now only a few yards away
Then, seeing that he was beaten there.
he turned first 10 the right. and then as
suddenly 70 the left, hcsitated. half
circlcd 4 second time. and stopping
short, backed up against q lamp-post.
facing the three men. who instantly
closed il on him with uplifted clubs.
The four were breathing heavily. The
prisoner raised his arm TO ward of pos
sible blow and between his gasps for
breath choked cut: Don't hit me; the
jig's up and III go long quietly.
Purser No. and one OF the Others seized
hiIa. each by an arm. The three start
cd of in step, the middle one stubbcrnly
silent The other policeman turned
back 70 his post, and the regular trump
of six feet on the sidewalk told OF :
midnight arrest.-N. Y. Tribune