The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-09-07
CHICAGO'S RACE-TRACK WAR
The Well.Known TurfmaD, J. Nj. Brown,
Shot to Death in a Dreadful Manner.
Chased for Blocks by Policemen Firing at Him,
One of Whom He Killed and Fatslly Wound
ed Another Before He Fell.
Special to the Indianapolis Journal.

~ tAO JouInnts
CHICAGO, Sept. 6.-There was a triple
tragedy at Garfield Park to-day when the
police made the daily raid to stop the
races. The w~ell-known millionaire horse
man, ]. M. Brown, of Fort Worth. Tex.
was killed. and officer John Powell shared
a like fate, while officer Henry Mcdowell
was mortally wounded. A crowd of
ruffians had gathered on West Fortleth
street and jeered at the police when they
arrived. They were just outside the race
course. The police charged On the hood
lums after warning them away. A gang
ran, stopping every moment to throw
stones. The police finally rave MP the
chase. On their return their attention
was In some way attracted TO John Brown,
who was ensconced on the south end of
the course. Three officers ciambered To the
roof. and Brown. drawing a revolver,
warned them oil. He was ordered to sur
render, but refused. and, pointing his
weapon at the policeman. began to back
toward the edge OF the roof. One OF the
policemen fired a shot in the air
and Brown made q wild leap from the roof,
landing inside the grounds. Officers Nc
Dowell and Powell followed in close pur-
suit, and SOM one of the three. supposedly
Brown, fired q shot. Then the horseman
made q wild dash for liberty through the
coutu kotcs ~ Kun 6CLOoS Vic pIdlIlc u
Harrison street, near Janhuss avenue,
where q brick building was in progress of
construction. Here officer Powell over
took him and reached out to grasp him by
the sleeve.
Turning squarely around Brown. who
still grasped his revolver IN his right hand.
raised the weapon and fired point blank at
the policeman. The bullet struck the Off
Ger IN the mouth and he fell dead. Then
Brown started TO run east on Harrison
atreet when hA anc0nnf0rad Ofiear Mc-
Dowell. Both men raised their weapons
and fired simultaneously. Mcdowell stag
Rered q few feet forward and then fell
across the
Brown ran west again and stopped to fire
again at the PROSTATE body of otncer Pow
ell. He met officer William Jones, and
both men raised their revolvers. and Brown
pulled the trigger of his weapon, but no
time taken aim at the wounded hOrseman
and fired. Brown sprang into the air and
uttered a sharp cry. He sta gRered q
oment. and then turning. ran into the
Jones hesitated TO follow until a dozen
brother officers reached his side. Then ne
went in between the buildings and found
Brown lying beside the fence.
When the excitement occasioDed by the
J promiscuous shooting had subsidized some
what q patrol wagon dashed up and the
dead horseman's body was hurried to the
morgue. Three bullets were in his body.
One had penetrated the heart, probably
causing instantaneous death. OF he other
two. one had struck him in the right shoul-
der. and the remaining ball lodged
In his thigh. PowelPs remains were
conveyed TO his home. A third
patrol wagon hurried off with Mcdowell
TO the hospital, where the officers, Who
were notified. were waiting TO take his
ante-mOrtem statement. The excitement
was intense in the neigh borhood. The
gates at every end of the track were wide
open. Physicians heard of the Trouble,
and hurried to the park III their buggies,
anxious to lend their aid in caring for the
wounded. A special detail of police. one
hundred strong, were driven to the track,
but they were unable TO restrain the crowd.
After Mcdowell was wounded fully one
hundred policemen who had hurried to the
spot began firing tOward the place where
Brown was seen. He had disa ppe ared be-
hind the rear of q frame building. and the
squad of officers was separated from him
by o high board fence, through which the
bullets were sent.
Just before the shooting there had been
sensational developments In court. where
the trial of the people who were arrested
yesterday was IN progress. Mayor WASH
burne testified that Chief of Police Nc.
Claughrsy had told him of an offer OF
$4,000 to a political campaign fund by the
owners of the Hawthorne track. a rival
race course, if the Garfield track were
closed. A few moments later Chief Me-
Claughrey went on the stand, and, under
oath. made q denial of the statement by
the Mayor.