Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1891-12-31
1T MAY PROVE A MURDER

I -
A Desperate Fight on the Sidewalk a
Sixth and Church strests--HippoIyt.
Probst, Infatuated by Drink, FATAL,
Stabs John Clifford and Also Cut
Joseph Wyman--The Assailant Arrested
A terrible cutting ARRAY, in which
two men were frightfuliy cut anC
stabbed-one of them fataiiy--occurre
at Sixth and Church streets shortly
after noon Tuesday, AS result of tn,
affair John, alias Freddy" Clifford, liel
at the Delaware Hospital in dyin(
condition, while another Victim, JOSEPH
Wyman of No. 767 East Sixth street
Is confined at room at the police sta
ton. His wounds are not serious. Tn,
man who did the cutting is Hippolyt,
Probst, Frenchman, 4t years old, anc
living with his family at No. so3 'Eas
Sixth street.
ALL HAD BEEN DRINKING.
The affair occurred at Sixth and
Church streets on the sidewalk. The
three men had been drinking together
all morning and about nom began
quarreling In a saloon at Lord and
Church streets. The quarrel continued
4 on the street, where 1t assumed more
serious phase.
PRoDsT's SAVAGE ASSAULT.
Probst was probably the worst intoxi
Gated of the three. Clifford quapreled
with him until the couple reached Sixth
and Church streets. Wyman was pro.
| ceeding just behind them. At this
| point PTobst, crazed with liquor, turned
upon Clifford and drawing 4 dangerous
looking knife, plunged 1t into Clifford's
head, just over the left eye, inhicting q
terrible gasli. He followed this up with
another stab, this time drawing the
keen-edged blade clear across Clifford
left cheek, laying the flesh open to the
bone.
Not satisfied with this CHASTITY work
the enraged Frenchman again plunged
his dagger into the already bleeding
form of his victim,
| CUTTING FRIGHTFUL CASH
six inches long over the right breast,
penetrating the lung, and causing the
blood to flow profusely. In few mo-
ments Cliiford's clothing was saturated
with blood. He sank helpless upon the
| sidewalk.
wYMAN ALSO ATTACKED.
Wyman then ran to Clifford's assist
ance and Probst directed his murderous
blows upon him. The Frenohman made
a pass at Wyman but the latter warded
OFF the blow with his right hand. Two
fingers were nearly cut In two. The
dagger struck Wyman just below the
heart. A heavy overcoat probably pro-
vented the. knife from penetrating far
into Wyman's body and saved his life.
Probst then left his victim and fled.
ARRESTED AT HIS HOME.
He went direct to his house and lay
down upon lounge. BY this time Officer
Floyd learned of the affair and at once
sent word to the police station. The
Delaware Hospital ambulance was sum-
moned by Captain Francis and Sergeant
Ingram, who went at once to the scene
and helped TO remove Clifford 70 drug
store at Eighth and Church streets, until
the arrival of the ambulance. Clifford
was then taken to thu Delaware Hos
pital. Drs. Bush and Bradford were
Immediately summoned 70 the hospital
to attend the injured man.
Meantime the officers were securing
about for the man who did the cutting
He was found by officer Floyd at his
home and taken into custody. Wyman
was also locked up as a witness to the
tragedy.
CLIFFORD AT THE HOSPITAL.
A reporter of The GAZETTE saw
Clifford at the hospital In the afternoon.
Drs. Bush and Bradford were sewing an
the mans gaping wounds. The rep6ftHf
entered the hospital room with Captain
Francis and Sergeant Ingram. who
obtained statement from Clifford CON,
corning the frightful outtingaffnin
odd YOU GET THAT mAEp'
Inquired Clifford to Captain Francis ON
entering the room. n have been q
pretty hard sinner, but hope the Lord
will be merciful with the man who cut
me. II die Probst will surely suffek I
don't care anything for myself, 1t is my
mother | am sorry for, the shook win
kill her."
BUT SLIGHT HOPE OF RECOVERY,
At this point Clifford, who eaid he
had lost quart Of blood, burst into
tears and was unable TO control him
self When asked concerning the mans
injuries DR.. Bush stated that he was In
critical condition. There is but little
hope of his recovery.
HORRIBLE SPECTACLE.
AS Clifford lay upon cot at the hos
pital he presented frightful spectacle.
His face was horribly gashed and COW
cred with blood. The wound In the
right breast was the most dangerous,
and will probably result in death. The
lung is penetrated
"Reddy" Clifford, the victim, Is q
well known character about town and
was one time assistant dog catcher under
Brooks Foster. He is well known by
the police, who more than once have
had occasion TO cause his arrest and de-
tention for numerous offences.
PRoBsT's ExPLANATIoN.
Hippolyte Probst says he is cabinet,
maker by trade, and has a wife and
several children. Whom asked through
an interpreter why he did the cutting,
said that Clifford had been following
him up and several times struck him
with his fist.
ACTED LIKE AN INSANE MAN.
Joseph Wyman, who was the main
witness to the probable murder, says
that Probst acted like an insane man and
slashed his victim wildly. He says that
Clifford first attacked Probst while In
a saloon and that Probst did the cutting
to save his own life.
Probst was still under the influence of
liquor when seen at his cell in the police
station. A long knife and a counter
sink bit were found on his clothing.
Mrs. Quill, the married daughter of
Probst, was very indignant yesterday