Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-08-15
DID HE DIE OF THE WOUNDS?
Serious Result Of the Assault Of Sterling
Ruff1n on Gen. Theodore 8. West.

RufIin on Gen. Theodore 8. West.
DEATH OF WEST TODAY AND ARREST or nu7T1x-
An UNEXPECTED xvExr-rHx PENDING SUIT
xos DAMAGES FOB TIE ASSAULT on sufa g.
WHAT HAS BEEN DONE.
On the 9Th Of July there was an difficulty
between Theodore 8. West and Sterling
Ruf6n, q clerk in the Treasury depart
ment, said to have been occasioned BY .
dispute over . bill Shortly afterward
hufhn was arrested and tried in the Police
Court on charge Of assaulting West, and was
convicted and fine Of go was imposed. None
OF the parties concerned at that time supposed
that Vests wounds were serious.
SUIT FOR $4,000 DAMAGES.
On the 18th instant Mr.. E. A. Newman for
West, fled civil suit against Rufin to recover
$4,000 damages. In this suit he charged
that defendant assaulted him July 6 with
SUCK OF umbrella handle, striking
h MN violent blow On the nose, splitting and
or9islng the same, seized and laid hold Of him
and struck him many blows on
divers parts of the BODY and threw
him on the floor and with his fists struck him,
making him sick and sore, and obliging him to
eApeno COW In MS efforts to get healed, DC.
THE NEWS OF GEN. VESTS DEATH
was received at the Langham hotel this morn
ing, and Col c. C. Letter, the deceased's part
ner, left at once for Asbury park to take charge
of the remains.
Gen. West left this city on Thurday last in q
highly nervous condition and with his nose
almost entirely paralyzed
The general had good war record. His
rank was that Of brevet brigadier general OF
volunteers, and this he had won by hard
service in the field. He was adjutant Of the
nth Wisconsin volunteer infantry during
the the early early part OF the rebellion, and
Wisconsin. lieutenant colonelcy in
the same regiment soon followed
and this was his rank when he reported to Gen.
Rosecrans shortly after the battle of Stone
river. As colonel Of the twenty-fourth he was
at Chickamauga and he served throughout
sent to Libby. From this prison he escaped,
and, In company with Gen. H. c. Hobart, Col
McCrary and another officer, tramped and
starved for six days before they reached
the Union lines. Gen. West was q son Of the
late DIR. West of Waukesha, Wis.
VESTS DEATH REPORTED.
The fact of Vests death was made known at
police headquarters today and Detective Raft
at once went out in search Of Rufin. He found
hufhn in the appointment room at the Treasury
department. where he is employed as clerk.
Raft returned to police headquarters with his
prisoner about O'clock
Ruffin had been informed Of Vests death
few minutes before Rats arrival. He did
not seem the least astonished when
Raft appeared but took his apprehension
as matter of course. Raft did not know
Rufin so approaching the lattar he required
Are you the man who had difficulty with
West?"
YES" said Rufin.
81 suppose you know" said Raft, "that West
Is dead? 1t will be necessary for you to go
down to police headquarters with me-"
"All right" said Rufin, who at once got his
hat and coat and accompanied the officer.
THE ACCUSED MAN.
He is slender young man Of medium height
and beardless face, with good features and wore
when he appeared at police headquarters a
neatly fitting dark suit and light colored
derby hat. He swung an umbrella with sill
yer handle in his hand
In speaking of his difficulty with West he ex-
pressed confidence that the matter would turn
out all right.
About 2:30 o'clock Mr.. Samuel F. Phillips
Rufin's counsel, arrived and had a consulta-
ton with Ruffn.
Meanwhile the coroner was requested by the
District attorneys offer to make an investiga-
tan into the circumstances of Vests death.
MIR. Rufin declined to make any statement
of the affair.
Prosecuting Attorney Armes fixed bail at
$1,000, but counsel will ask for q smaller
amount.