The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1895-10-10
FIGHT AMONG MAN-HUNTERS
Geo. Witte Shot by Thos. Burns
on a Train
OVER THE SONTAG REWARD
That Was the Cause OF the Row Be-
tween the Men
They Were En- Route to Vlsalia and Burn!
Shot at Witte-They Grappled and
Fell OF The Cars

George Vito was shot and slightly
hurt last night by Thomas Burns on the
north bound Southern Pacific train near
West Glendale. The fight occurred on
the platform of one of the tourist sleep
ers. Witte claims that Burns shot him
from behind, and that he grappled With
hia assailant and the two rolled off the
train, which was moving at the rate OF
twenty-five miles an hour. White received
some additional injuries by striking on
the ground. Burns got away, and the
result OF his fall could not be learned.
The fight between the two men is the
outcome of the recent suit brought by
Witte to recover a part of the reward for
the capture OF the bandit and train rob-
Der, John Sontag, at the stone corral two
years ago. The reward, amounting to
$4,000, was contribute jointly by the
Southern Pacific company and Wells,
Fargo e. Co.'s express. and was pnid some
lime ago to George Gard. White did not
have any share in the fight with the BAN
dts, but came the following morning
with the posse from VisalIa, and claims
to have gone up and told Sontag that he
was under arrest For this reason Witte
thought that the reward had been i'm
properly paid, and he was entitled to at
least part of it. ! His suit was brought
against the two com panies. The testl-
mony was all finished yesterday. aud
the case is to be submitted on briefs. As
there was no more necessity for the men
from Visylia rem aiming here, they started
for home on the San Francisco train last
night.
Witte learned that Burns had declared
that Sam Stingley, one of Witte wit
nesses, had sworn to lie when he said
that he, Burns, had hid under the wagon
when they went up to place Sontag un-
der arrest. At the depot, shortly before
the train left, White walked up to Burns
and said that II he desired to impeach
any OF his witnesses. he, Witte, would
take their parts. They exchanged opin-
ions of each other. but were separated by
William English, who was member OF
the party.
The rest Of the party were Hi Rapel1i,
Constable Bob Broder and John TEacker,
the detective for Wells, Fargo 81 Co.
They sat in tho smoking car Tor short
while. Witte and Broder being together.
Rapelji and Burns went back to the tour
list cars to get berth. Shortly after they
had loft White took his coat and without
word started for the rear of the train,
too. sRapellI got berth, but Burns had
to 20 to the other car behind. He walked
to the back short time after Witte mad
passed them.
What occurred on the platform is not
exactly known, but Witte says that BurnS
came out of the car door behind and
shot at him twice, one of the bullets
passing through the palm of his right
hand. Wtte grappled with him and
they fell off the train. Witte struck
on his left shoulder and head. HIS arm
was dislocated, as was his right knee, and
he received couple of wou nds on his
scalp.
Rapeljl noticed the prolonged absence
of the two men. and after the train left
Burbank went through all the cars, but
could not find them. and then he at once
knew that something had happened.
The rest of the crowd got off the train at
San Fernando and were going to take
hand car back, but the train from Santa
Barbara came in and so they came back
on it, The run was made slowly in order
| to allow them to see if either of the men
| was lying by the track. Witte was dis
| covered near West Glendale, being sup
| ported by several men. No trace was OBJ
iained of Burns, and 1t is probable that
| he started for the city. Witte and the
| others came to the city and he was taken
TO the receiving hospital, where DR.. Bry-
| ant attended his injuries. While Witte' s
| wounds are painful, he is not thought to
| be in any danger and will probably recov-
| err IN few days.
Sh eriff Burr decided not to make any
| search for Burns last night.