The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1893-08-02

imm, diare neighborhood of Nelson Converse
the well known merchant of this city was
awakened by three sharp treports of shots fired
n quick succession. apparently coming from
within his residence, A number of windows
were raised, and as many anxious faces appear
ed at the apertures, but seeing nothing and
hearing no further noise, their owners went
back to their beds in ignorance of the tragedy
which had been enacted almost at their doors.
Had any of them proceeded in the direction
VIII epce the sounds emanated there would have
been no more sleep for them that morning, and
could they have arrived in time they might
have seen a swift fleeing form making time
toward Nam street. Within the house would
have been witnessed scene Of the greatest ex-
citement and commotion. AT about the hour
mentioned Eprowlipg miscreant entered the
premises of MIR. N. Converse. on Walnut street.
few rods south of Main street. and after a
stealthy reconnoiter discovered an open bath
room window with closed shutters, on the north
Tide of the house. through W hich he quickly en-
tered, by removing slat and opening the blind.
first removing his shoes. From the bathroom
he passed into a bedroom occupied by Mrs. C.
A, Allen, u lady in her seth year, who is visit
ing in the family and whose homo is in Hous-
ton. Texas. Failing to discover anything OF
value here. he passed on to the next apartment
q SlGGlnR room. III WHICH, Ou q COb CIOsc " tlO
bedroom door. Pierce Converse. II years of age
a grandson of Mrs. Allen and nephew of Mr.
Converse. was sleeping. shaving stationed him
self below for the purpose of being near the old
lady and ministering to her possible wants dur
ing the night The other members of the house
DID, consisting of MIR. and Mrs. Converse. their
son Will, Mrs, Ii. NJ. Davis, of San Antonio
Texas and Mrs Petleur, Mrs. Aliens attendant
were all up stairs. wrapped in profouRd slum-
Der. The only light below was In the bath
room from which subdued radiance was diff
fused over the adjoining apartments. The soft
tread OF the burglar disturbed neither the old
lady nor her protector. and it was only when a
hand was passed under his pillow that the
young man awakened. He turned over upon
hi left elbow. and seeing a stranger near him
demanded to know what he wanted. at the same
time drawing his revolver from beneath the
bed clothes. Receiving no reply he waited for
no further continuation of his thoughts in re
gard to the character OF his visitor. but fired at
the INTRUDER, the revolver being within two
feet of the fellow, close enough for the powder
to scorch his clothing. The marauder replied
with two shots, the first of which took effect,
| passing through the muscles of the right fore
arm, striking the chest, ploughing its way
| through the muscles. around to the axilla. or
| armpit. where it lies neeply imbedded. The
second shot struck the mattress at the side of the
| heroic lad. piercing the bedclothes. but doing
no fur ther damage. The splendid nerve and
cool courage of young Converse were demon
strated by his attempt to fire another shot at the
burglar but the muscles controlling the finger
| were SO badly injured as to render them power
less and he was unable to pull the trigger. He
| shifted the weapon to the other hand. but by
this time the villain was out of ths room and
Al
had entered.
Before leaving the house the crook seiz.d the
clothing of young Converse. which he bore
away with him, and. picking up his shoes, beat
q hasty retreat from the scene a few minutes
later J. II Furry. who resides the same
street just north of Main, was awakened by
rap at the south door of his house, and voice
importuning him to get up and come to the
door. In ponse TO MIR. Furry's inquiry the
speaker On the outside said he had been sho3
desperately wounded, and implored his ques
toner to GO for physician. Mr.. Fnrry. think
ing it was some beIated inebriate who had lost
his way. and he'd. was almost decided not to
go. but finally becoming convinced that the
person. whoever he might be. was really in.
jured, he went up town and informed officer
Goodenough of the circumstance, who at once
returned with him. They found the fellow
where he was shot and he told them il the ab.
domen. Goodepough then inquired if he had
been in somebody's house. and he said he had
at the same time describing the place, so they
were convinced that he referred to Mr.. Con
verses residence. He said that at the time he
was shot he did not realize how badly he was
wounded, but soon found that the was growing
weak and was unable to proceed further. He
was taken to the Office of DIR. A. j. Bietz where
he received attention.
In the meantime the family, who had been
startled from their .slumbers by the shooting
rushed down stairs, finding the sitting room
illed with smoke and the young man lying
upon the cot. bleeding from his wounds. Drs
M. G. Mcbride both residents of the neighbor
hood. were hastily summoned and examined
the wounds, which proved less severe than as
at first feared. After his wounds were dressed
the young man calmly told his experience. as
narrated above.
At first the family supposed he had accident
ally shot himself by rolling upon his revolver,a
3s caliber double action-a dangerous weapon
under all lcircumstances-butin investigation con-
vinced them of the correctness of his story,
which was confirmed in full lew minutes
later by the arrival of officer Goodenough with
the intelligence that the fell wv had been appre
hended and was in custody.
In further evidence of his admirable self
posses sion at the time of his thrilling encounter
the Soung man gave description of the ras cal
that tailed perfectly with the one afterwsrd
given by the officer The wounds of the plucky |
young fellow while severe and painful are not
at present of dangerous character, and as |
soon as they had received proper atten-
tion he req uested hiS doctors to allow him to 20
up town and finish the good work he had COM
V int bIe
visitor. He told the family. when they were |
laboring under the impression that he had shot |
himself. and that his account of another man in |
the room. whom he had fired at. was an baIu- |
clnatlon of his brain, that should the individual
he described be apprehende he would be 1ound |
to have bullet hole in him. and expressed |
great satisfaction on the arrival OF tue officer
with the news OF the capture. and said now he
knew that the burglar had been shot, he him
self would be contented lie in bed for few days.
The prisoner gave his name as Frank Ed
wards. said he came here from Chica go by way
of Gle veland. and that he spent most of the
night at the Erie freight depot. He said he had
ne yer been in the place bt fore. He is a Catho-
lie. native of Ireland. and says he is a free
hand drawer. which statement will find ready
credence by the readers of this account. He is
a young man. possibly % or % years of age.
smooth and rather slim face. firm flesh muscu-
lar build, robust and healthy looking. of more
than average height. black hair, face and hands
covered d with freckles, He will weigh 100 to 10
pounds, and wore light coat and black pants
An examination of his ounds showed that the
ball entered the abdominal cavity below the
stomach. apparently missing that organ and the
lntes tines. probably passing through the liver.
md making its exit at the back between two
lbs. where it could be plainly felt. just beneath
he skin. The bullet was removed the wound
iressed, and the suffering wretch AIKEN to j ill
The prisoner felt at first that he was fatally
Wounced, and in the course of the day mani
tested desire for the attendance OF spiritual
In response to the request Rev, II
D 81 taufer called and was about 10 enter the
'rison apartment to minister to the W.nts oil
he wounded penitent W hen the prisoner made
t known that he was Catholic This of course
xcused the Rev. gentleman, and later in the
ay Rev. FIR. Farrell was admitted What
'assed between them is, of course, matter he- S
ween themselves.