The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-03-06
BRUCE'S BRAVE FIGHT
A Private Watchman's Desperate
Struggle with a Burglar.
Hall Block on the Circle Last Night
Waterman Wounded.

4 bold attempt at robbery. and one which
came near resulting in a murder, was made
at the Iron Hall Building. on the Circle,
at about half-past IL o'clock last night.
The victim is Robert Bruce son Of George
w. Bruce. bailif in Room 1 of the Sd
perior Court. He resides at No. % Wood
lawn avenue, but for more than year past
has been employed as night Waterman at
the Iron Hall receivers office. He sleeps
in a room in the rear of the office, and
was just on the point of retiring for the
night when there came a rap at the door
opening to the walk that extends along
the south side of the building. Bruce haG
laid off his coat and vest, and went to the
door In his shirt sleeves. When he opened
II he was faced by short, heavy-set man,
wearing a SLOUGH hat. Throw up your
hands," came the command as soon as the
door was opened Bruce only partially
obeyed the command. One hand went up
into the air. but the other was thrust back
into the hip pocket after a revolver. The
robber evidently saw the motion Of the
hand and knew the purport of 1T, for he
instantly sprang at Bruce and seized hun
by the throat Then scuffie for life and
death ensued. The robber carried club
in one hand and Bruce says he thinks he
Is not sure. When the robber seized him
by the throat he was pushed inward, all
the while endeavoring to draw his revolver,
but being retarded in his efforts by the grip
of the robbers hand upon his throat. Fight
ing for his life, Bruce struggled desperately
against his opponent, who was a much
heavier man, and was about to succeed in
drawing his revolver. The robber saw this
and relinquished his hold upon Bruce's
throat, at the same time making a lunge
for the hand that grasped the
relaxed Bruce succeeded in getting the re-
volver from his pocket only TO haV the
hand seized in the firm grip OF the robber
Then ensued a scuffle for possession of the
gun. In their scuffiing they tripped over
a bicycle standing in the hallway, and as
they fell the revolver was discharged and
Bruce received the ball under the left arm
The robber Immediately fled.
A number OF persons whose attention had
been attracted by the shot saw him run
ming from the scene and gave the same de-
scrlption of him as was given by Bruce. He
was heavyset man, with a dark mustache
and wore a SLOUGH hat pulled down over his
eyes. After the discharge of the revolver
he ran out the front way and started south
around the Circle towards Meridian street.
rection towards the building and the robber
turned about and fled across Monument
Place, up North Meridian street and disap-
peared. In the meantime Bruce Sprang TO
his feet and also out on to the Circle
He went straight TO DR.. Crows office in
the Ross Block, adjoining the Iron Hall
building. DR. Crow was standing in the door
of his office parting with friends who had
been spending the evening with him. Bruce
told him he had been shot and was taken
into the Office. where his wound was
dressed. 1t was found to be merely
q flesh wound of no serious conse-
ouence. The ball had plowed a hole
about four inches long through the flesh
under the left arm. The wound was black
and powder burned, indicating that the muZ-
ze of the revolver had been very close to
the body when discharged. His father was
notified Immediately and Bruce was re-
moved to his home.
DIR. Kahlo. the newly appointed police
surgeon, heard OF the shooting while walk
ing upon Pennsylvania street near Market
street and went at once to the block, but
finding the young man receiving attention
from DrS. Crow and Long did not do any
thing After the wound was dressed sew
eral reporters went to the door at which
the scuffie had taken place and one of them
found the revolver lying upon the walk
close beside the door. 1t was a 32-caliber,
old style single-action revolver. The wound
is not serious.
Another theory of the affair is that the
assailant was a person with a grudge
against Bruce, though the latter says he
cannot imagine upon what score any one
should entertain such a hatred for him. He
says he has received several letters through
the mail within the past three or four weeks
informing him that there was a person who
had it in for him." These letters, he says,
were written in scrawling hand and many
words miSSDplled.