The farmers' union. (Memphis, Mo.) 1891-1895, 1891-06-25
HE LOVED HIS MOTHER.
A DESPERATE CONVICT. BUT
NOT HEARTLESS.
william Langosch, Notorious Thief
Thought Only of His Mother, Though
Mortally Wounded Shot Whilo Trying
to Rob q Stranger,

to Rob q Stranger.
William Langosch, Oh cago tongh,
was fatally shot in Schroeder's saloon,
II North Eesplaincs street. In company
with Charles Hemm ng he called for a
drink. Schroeder and his son Fred were
behind the bar Near by stood w. II.
Holiday, manufacturer OF saw-mill
tools, 40 West Lake street, who was
counting over $50 in bills From the
manner In which the two men called for
liquor and at the same time eyed MIR.
Holidays money, the proprietor sus-
pected them. Before he could give
Holiday warning Lan2osch and his
companion stepred up to Holidays size.
each taking him by the arm. Schroeder
seized Il billiard cue, shouting to lIoli-
day to guard his money.
The fight that followed was lively
ono In it Langosch received the shot
that will cost him his life. Schroeder
attempted to fell him to the floor with
the cue, but was grapplcd, LangoSeh
overpowering the saloon-keeper, knock
iig him down with his own weapon.
Meanwhile, Hcmming and Holiday were
fighting fiercciy. Mrs. Schroeder hear
Ing the scuc ran into the room, only to
be knocked down. Just as the men were
preparing to leave Fred Schroeder, who
had gone upstairs for a revolver, rushed
into the saloon. His sudden appearance
| put stop to proceedings. Seeing his
| mother and father both living on the
| floor, young Schroeder did not hesitate
| to fire Immediately, levcling his gan
directly at LangoSch. The latter saak
| to the floor instantly
The police arrested Hcmming and Fred
! SO | "a
| his home, where upon examination it
was found the bullet hal passed entirely
| through his stomach and lodged in his
| back. The attending physician said he
| could not live. Langosch is a wcll-known
character and served a term in Joliet.
| Mr.. and Mrs Schroeder were not Scri-
| ouSly injured. although their wounds
| were of a painful nature.
| Langosch is Il notorious character
and has been feared by almost every
| one who knew him. lie was released
from the penitentiary only five weeks
ago, but since then has been known tc
| have taken no less than six rides in the
| patrol wagon. On one occasion he en-.
gagged in a fight and was stabbed eleven
times, the marks of which are still fresl
on his body. But, crimina! that he is
he showed a tenderness after being shot
which touched the hearts Of tn" officers
| who, all their lives, have been az
customed to scenes of violence
and hard character. Langosch pos
| lively refused to be taken to the
hospital. and insisted on being carried
| to his home. Officer ByrneS asked
him if he had any one to care for hin
at home. and he replied that he had /;
skin old mother" When tho patro
| came within 100 feet of the house Ian
gosch begged the officers to allow him tt
walk the remainder Of the way. He sale
his mother would faint, and the though
of that hu,t him more than the fata
wound in his body. The officers grant
cd his request aud Langosch w.thoa
assistance walked to his mothers house
| With the utmost cOmpoSure he Scatc.
himself in a summer house and huttone,
| his clothes SO that no blood was seen
The mother, who is O. Years old, alarm
g by the presence Of the officers. cam
in wringing her hand.
When Langosch saw her he crossed hi
lrgS and. putting cigar to his mouth
said: "Mother, give me a match" Mrs
LangoSch brought him a match, and tn
cigar was lit, He took few putfs am
quantity of blood filed his mouth
Even then he seemed TO forget that h
was mortally wounded, and, thinkiu
only of his mother, asked an Office
to step aside that he might sri
in the weeds, where his mothe
would not see the blood A physical
arrived aud ordered him to l.
placed on bed. Langosch would ne
be carried, but arose and walked coz
tdently into another room. whore he la
down. There his nerve did not deseI
him He requested not TO be chlort
formed while the bullet was prohed fol
saving that it must be don. while hi
eyes were open, that his mother woul
not think him badly hurt. And he eve
went so far as to ask for a razor that Ii
might reach around to his back and CT
the fatal bullet out himself.