The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1894-09-01
Murderers Captured Only When
Out of Ammunition.
A NECKTIE PARTY THREATENED
EDraged Citizens Make Desperate Efforts
to Take the Prisoners From the
Police and Lynch Them.


killed Patrick Owens, of the Chicago,
Milwaukee g. st. Paul road at Deer
field last night, and few hours later
shot and probably MORALLY wounded
Officer McGrath at Mayfair, were sur
rounded and captured by the police in
the Elk Grove woods near the Des-
PLANES river, at noon today. Their
capture was only effected after a six
hours chase and an exciting exchange
of fully 100 shots. The desperadoes
fought off the bluecoats and an excited
civilian party until their ammunition
was exhausted and then, unable longer
to reply to the fire that was poured In
upon their retreat, The men sought
safety in flight. Bullets from the Off
GERS revolvers brought both men to
the earth, and when the police appre-
hended their game the men were weak
from loss of blood. AS soou as the
wounded men were taken in charge by
the police new danger arose. In
furiated civilians who had learned of
the wanton murder of one officer and
the fatal shooting OF another by the
desperadoes demanded that the
wounded men be Immediately de-
prived of their lives. The citizens
made desperate efforts 20 get the men
from the police, but every time they
were repulsed without bloodshed.
A Man Hunt Began.
The wanton murder of Owens and
the shooting of McGrath 10y the dis
clples of Jesse James stirred up the en-
tire community from Deerfield to the
city hall, aud not long after the report
that McGrath had been shot at May
fair came in, a genuine manhunt was
seen. Special officers in the employ Of
railroads, city police and q central de-
tail of detectives, armed with revolvers
and Winchester rifles, hurried by train
To the place where the bandits were
supposed to have taken TO the woods,
and scouting parties followed every
trail that promised TO lead to the hiding
place Of the murderous train robbers.
Citizens in the neighbOrhood of Hig-
gins woods, near Desplaines, piloled
bands of armed men across the coun-
try and determined officers, with coun-
trymen for guides, searched untiringlJ
until capture was effected.
A Battle Resulted.
The arrest was preceded by u battle.
The robbers were well armed, and
when call from scouting party re-
vealed their whereabouts they made a
determined stand. Cooking their re-
volvers. the two men waited until
their pursuers were In view, and then
opened fire. 1t was returned by the
officers and vOlley after volley was eX-
charged, apparently without effect. 1t
is probable that the men would never
he taken alive had it not beel that
their supply of ammunition was short.
AS their stock of cartridges dwindled
away they shot more carefully ana less
frequently, but the officers kept them
selves we'll covered until at last he
mems bullets were exhaus ed. The
officers called upon them TO surrender,
but without noticing the command.
the tugitives turned and began "a frau
tic race for safety. The officers fol-
lowed, firing as they ran.
the chase continued until Lake, who
was in the lead, was struck by bull
lei. Throwing W. his hands, he turned
partially around and fell, and mo-
ment later his companion dropped, Sc
riuusly wounded. Their pursuers
quickly closed in on the fallen men
and handcufied them, Within few
moments the prisoners were carried to-
ward the railroad station and were
soon brought into the city and locked
IL the West Chicago avenue police sta
ton.
Both Tou II Customers.
Lake, who is "a years old, was snot
in the neck and his recovery is doubt
full. He admitted the shooting of
Owens and McGrath. The conductors
watch aud other stolen valuables were
found upon the man. Gordon, who is
"a years old, wBs not dangerously
wounded, although two bullets struck
him. The men refused to give any in
formation regarding the robbery, but
their appearance indicated that both
were tough characters. The police
were inclined to the opinion that both
had seen daily road service, but this
they denied. The police this afternoon
denied the story hat the robbers had
fatally shot Special Policeman PUNK
and Yuent These officers were
among those fired upon by Lake and
Gordon ami dropped to the ground to
escape the bullets, thus giving risa 10
the rumor that they were killed. Both
escaped uniuiured and later rejOined
the chase.
Farmer johnson of Desplaines, an
old soldier, is said Ly some to have Teen
the man who wounded he desperadoes.
The old man watched the officers make
a charge upon the men and "enfiladed"
the bandits line of battle as veteran
would. Taking aim he poured the con-
tents of DO h barrels of lis fOwling
piece, loaded with buckshOt, at the
two desperadOes.
Story or Their Crime.
The story of the affair of last night,
from which todaxis man limit ra-