Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1895-11-18
WAYS OF A CRANK.
Characteristics Displayed by
Otto Rudert.
MAKES AN UNwARRAHTEDAssAULT

Excitab1s Nature Gets Away With Him
ma He Attacks tn. Editor Of The Argus
with Results Not Altogether Plsss,nt to
Himssif-Ths Circumstances.
Otto Rudert, the druggist at the
corner OF Elm street and Moline ave.
nue., came down town this morning
with blood in his eye. Rudert is
evidently Of an excitable frame of
mind, aua added to that he is thick
skinned and stubborn and when an
idea crceps into his head. no matter
how unreasonable il may be, there is
no room for it and reason to lodge
together ut the same instant.
When Rudert came down this
morning he had an imaginary griev.
ance. Having such q delusion, words
were wasted that were intended to
convince him to the contrary. He
was bent upon provoking a quarrel
and displaying athug instinct. Find.
ing that he failed in his first aspiration
he resorted to his other and il seems
natural motive and made breach
Of the peace-and in the most cow
ardly manner ut that.
Circumstances Of the Assault,
MIR. Rudert called ut the Rock ISL
and postoiiice this morning and upon
request was admitted to the portion
OF the room back Of the partition
where the postmaster's quarters are
situated. Approaching Postmaster
Potter the visitor unfolded q
copy of Saturday evenings ARGUS,
and pointed to n related instance in
the Saturday evening column headed
"Told About Town." and said it re-
ferred to him and that he wanted
satisfaction.
The article in question referred to
the attempted breaking off of an en-.
gagemcnt by an uptown business
man from his lady love down town,
and it should be explained that the
item, while no names were men
toned. was brought about by Mr..
Rudert telephoning The ARGUS a
week before announcing that his en-
gagemcnt with Miss Ella Maiwald
was snnulled. The proceeding was
such an unusual one and thinking
Mr.. Rudert might be about to do
something he might afterward re-
greet, he was persuaded by telephone
to omit the announcement until
he bad given it moro thought
That evening. however, he called at
The ARGUS office and was somew at
put out to think that his re-
quest had not been complied with and
the editor OF the paper to whom he
explained that he desired the engage
ment broken and was anxious to
save himself from future trouble, ad.
vised him that his best course would
be to place the matter in the hands
of an attorney. The next day repre-
sentatives OF The ARGUS called upon
both Mr.. Rudert and the young lady
in order to ascertain from Mr.. Ru.
dcrt II he still insisted upon the pub.
LEGATION. and from the young lady
her version OF the matter. Mr.. Ru-
dcrt explained that he had taken the
advice given him OF The ARGUS office
and had seen an attorney; and he pre-
ferred that nothing now be said
pending further advices from the
young lady. THE ARGUS had there
fore done Mr.. Rudert a kindness
which he is not capable OF realizing
or feeling grateful for. and the refer.
tn,e to the matter Saturday night
after the facts became rumored about
town among other instances Of actu, !
occurrence and without the mention
Of names, afforded no occasion
especially in view of what had passed
for the exhibition Rudert made OF
himself this morning.
The Assauis.
MIR. Rudert's manner was threat.
ening from his first appearance at
the postoilicej this morning, vet Mr..
Potter sought to expostulate with
him and assured him that TIVE AR
ats office. and not the postofiice, was
the place for such discussion. Mr..
Rudert then wanted Mr.. Potter to 20
with him at once to- The ARGUS Office,
incidentally stating that he would
like TO have him out Of doors. Mr..
Potter stated that he was busy then
and would be at THE ARGUS Office in
10 minutes. when he would be glad
To give him an audience. but Mr..
Rudert was persistent. He had no
time to 20 to THE ARGUS office, he
said. and wanted the matter settled
then and there and he demanded of
MIR. Potter that he 90 to the young
lady's house and make denial of ali
that appeared IN The ARGUS. This
request was. Of course, promptly and
emphatically refused. Mr.. Potter
was seated throughout the converse.
tion and as he turned in his chair to
resume his work on his desk, Mr..
Rudert. who was standing, struck
him vicious blow on tho side OF the
face. Money Order Clerk Silvis
fastened to the defence Of the post
master until he could arise from his
chair. when the latter ordered his
assailant from the office. following
his command with few forcible re.
mindcrs that sent Thug Rudert
along post haste. Mr.. Pot.er's
chief injury was a wrench of the
wrist sustained in his act of
defending himself and ejecting the
obstreperous little individual from