St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1892-11-16
SHOT IN The MOUTH.
Jack Chinn Fatally Wounded
at the East st. Louis
Race Track.
He Was Shot While Attempt
ing to Kill the Track
Secretary.
The Bullet Struck Him in the
Mouth, Going Through
His Head.
st. Paul Career Of This Cele-
brated Tupfman and
Gambler.

starter at the East ST. Louis Jockey
club track, was shot, and, it is believed,
fatally wounded this afternoon by Capt.
b. Anthony. Chinn recently returned
from Chicago, where he had been start
ing at the Hawthorne track. The East
St. Louis club, to whom he was under
contract, had consented to the arrange
ment, but, finding difllculty in filling
his place, had ordered him back. The
burn of affairs did not just exactly suit
Mr.. Chinn, and he was in a decidedly
bad temper. He came back yesterday
and took his place, however. He was
in very bad humor, ana read the riot
act to the Jockeys before racing began,
and before the day was over made lot
Of ugly talk about several persons con-
nected with the track.
His work yesterday was not of kind
TO grow enthusiastic over. and last
night the directors of the club held a
meeting at which 1t was decided to sus-
pend Chinn Indefinitely. This morn
ing Chinn began drinking heavily, and
by noon was in
Very Much Intoxicated
condition. His order of dismissal was
made out, but he did not show up at the
track until after the first race was run.
The club had secured Starter Dwyer, of
the Madison track, to handle the flag,
and he was IN the box ready for the
second race when Chinn appeared and
took the flag away from him and started
The horses. After the race Secretary
Sinclair found Chinn among the
stables and presented him with his
discharge. Chinn said that if he
did not start the horses no
one else would, and refused
70 accept the paper, at the same time
catching hold of Mr.. Sincair's coat
Eollar with one hand, and, reaching
down in his boot with the other, drew
large dirk knife. Two policemen caught
Chinn and tried to disarm him, he in
the meantime making desperate efforts
10 get at Sinclair with the knife.
Capt. Anthony came upon the scene
at this moment and, seeing that Chinn
was about to get the best of the police
men, he draw his revolver and fired
full in Chinn's face. The ball struck
Chinn in the mouth and ranged up
ward, coming out back of the ear. Chinn
was removed TO a hospital on this side
of the river, where he lies with but
slight hopes of his recovery. Col Chinn
is known all over the country among
the turf circles. and has handled the
flag at all the great tracks of the coun-
try.
Late tonight the physicians expressed
the hope that Chinn would recover.
Chinn's friends were asked to give bond
in the sum OF $1,000 for him, but were
unable TO furnish it. In the meantime
an officer is OH watch. at the bedside of
the wounded man. Officer Anthony
was not arrested and resumed his duties.
Eg7 A Bad WAN in His Cups
Col. Chinn is fifty-two years of age,
giant in strength ana build, and, while
pleasant and gentle enough when sober,
is when i'll his cups a bad man to
deal with. Some years ago, at LatOnia
race track, he attempted to stab a
Dookmaker named Downing for some
previous misunderstanding. Downiug'S
life was saved by the fact that he was
expecting an assault, and wore breast
plate of steel under his shirt. The
trouble was afterwards fixed up, and the
men became friends. After this Chinn
ordered for himself two dirks. one Of
which he always carried with him. and
this was the weapon he used this after
noon in his assault on Secretary Sin
clair. Chnn has wife and four chill
dren at his home near Harrodsburg,
KY, where h. and his brOther-in-law
run a sale and breeding stable.
Some years ago, in the days when
daring men could 'buck the tiger to
their hearts content, even in the sanity
city Of st. Paul; when everybody was
flush and 1.-The ceiling the limit for
high-rollers, there were several hand
some gambling houses along Third,
Robert and jackson streets. One of
the very finest was run by the firm of
Chlpn a. Morgan. Col. Jack Chinn, re-
ported fatally injured i'll the above dis
patch, was the senior member of the
firm. A medium-SiZed thick-Set man,
moving with typical sloWness and de-
liberation, when not angered-redO-
lent of the blue grass in speech
and actions; swarthy as a Span
ard almost, with black, sparkling eyes,
that could become steady aud hard as
steel in expression and dart dangerous
glanceS on occasion; in repoSe tran
gull, gentlemanly, generous man of the
world; when aroused to anger very
iend in his mercilessness, reckless of
consequences, and avoided on such Oc-
eaSiOnS even by men of his own deSper
ate disposition. Such was Jack Chinn,
of Kentucky, the we'll dressed, prosper
Gus and always ''Well heeled" sport who
made st. Paul his headquarters in the
wide open days of long ago. The Ken
tuckian was handsome in way, exceed
ingly liberal to his friends or square
men, in distress, good hater. had the
reputation of running straight game,
with no gouging by the house, provided
good liquor and cigars for patrons Of his
tables, with a good lunch on the side;
but he was respected in hot argument
as a man with knife in his boot. He
fS wall aIOper in,