Omaha daily bee., 1891-12-27
NEWS FROM COUNCIL BLUFFS.
John Peters Desperate 0onfic. With Four
Armed Men.
HIS BODY WAS RI00LED WITH BULLETS.
Though suffering with 1nnumcrable
Wounds the Victim Maintains n
Determined Fight for Life
Accused Men Jailed.

John Peter, a farmer who has been work.
ing on the Plumer farm, about a mile aud a
half from Island Park, a short distance south
of the city, had the novel, though not very
desirable, experience OF being made the tar
get of four weapons in the hands Of as many
Infatuated men, and coming out of the en-
counter well enough to be able to tell abo
1t, although not in a condition to enjoy his
Christmas dinner TO the full.
The four men who handled the weapons
are Gregg Sears, his two sons, Ross and
Elmer, and his son-in-law, Daniel Wilson,
As near as can be learned from those who
claim to be familiar with the cir
cumstances, Sears has been living Gu
Piumer's farm for some time past, but had
been drinking heavily and allowing the farm
and all its surroundings TO go to waste. Sew
eral weeks ago some of the creditors stepp ed
in and petltioned the district court to appoint
q receiver. Peters was apo intcd, and ever
since that time he has been holding down the
farm against all corners.
The Sears outfit, in the meantime, had
made up their minds not to allow Peters to
run them off entirely, aud made numerous
threats as 10 what they would do If he did
not retire and leave the field to them. Peters
was somewhat alarmed by the threats, and
had a number of able bodied friends
stay with HIM Thursday evening to
assist him in case it was necessary. The
evening wore away and no one appeared
to modest them, so about 10 O'Clock the visit
ors went away and lett Peters alone with a
boy about ID years OF age, who lives in this
city at the corner of Twenty-seventh avenue
and Tenth street.
Shortly after the departure OF his friends,
Peters heard a noise and a moment later saw
the barrel OF Il shotgun stuck through a pane
OF glass and leveled directly at HIM. Quick
as thought he drew a revolver and shot into
the air, SO as to snow the man who was at
the other end of the gun that he was pre-
pared. The man with the gun. who after
ward proved to be old man Sears, responded
In turn, and the contents OF the barrel of the
gun were emptied into Peters leg. The other
three mon in the meantime were working
buslly with their revolvers, and several shots
were fired at Peters, some of them taxing
effect. The assailants then broke u hole in
the door and entered. The BOY was speedily
kicked out of doors and ran three miles bare
footed across the country to the Plumcr
house, where he gave the alarm.
A party of men at once set out for the
Sceue OF the encounter, but when they ar
rived the attacking party had made good
their escape. Before they went, however,
they administered a terrible beating to
Peters, who was found lying in a pool of
blood Oh the floor, alive, but bleeding from a
number of severe wounds in the arm ana
limbs and on the scalp and face. He was
moved 10 runners mousse. IWenty-three
shot were found to have lodged in his limb.
His bruises were very severe, out not fatal,
and IN a few days he will DO brought to n
hospital in this city for treatment.
A warrant was issued in Justice Hammers
court yesterday for the arrest of the four men
on the charge of assault with intent to com
nit murder. Constable Nicholson and a posse
OF assistants started in pursuit and all day was
spent in finding them. The members of the
gang bear a very hard reputation In the vicin-
neighbors on q number of occasions. One of
the Sears boys is said to be out on bond now
pending a trial on the charge of stabbiug his
father in a'drunken fray at G%lenwood.
Last evening Nicholson returned with the
four men in tow and they were locked up in
the county Jail. they wanted to give bonds
for their appearance, but the justice would
not admit them to bail until he learned
whether Peters would be likely to recover.
Reiter, the tailor, 80 Broadway, has
all the latest styles and new winter
goods. Satisfaction in every respect
guaranteed.
Drs. Woodbury. dentists, next to Grand
hotel; fine work IL speciality. Tele. l45.
Bulk oysters 25c quart at c. o. D..
Browns.
Jarvis 1877 brandy, purest, safest, best.
Walnut block coal, 1925 per ton. De
livered anywhere in city. Carman's
1OG Main street.