Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1895-07-18
MAY PROVE A FATAL STAB.

to BE a Murder William n. strauRhn
and Three Others Attack Saioon-iseeper
Daniel Liepert--strauzh Uses n Knife,
With Serious Results = Tho Assnilant
Under Arrest.
Daniel Liepert, proprietor of saloon
at the corner Of Maryland avenue and
Front street, was stabbed, probably
fatally, the door of his bar-room Wed
nesday night. William H. Straughn was
arrested short time after the occur
renee and was arraigned in municipal
court Thursday morning charged with
the crime. Walter H Hayes represented
the prisoner. Straughn was held with
out bail to await the result of Liepert's
injuries. The wounded man was alive
this afternoon, but slight hopes are
entertained Of his recovery. Daniel
Gillespie and Michael Walsh, who were
arrested with Straughn, were held in
$500 for appearance as witnesses.
MRS. LTEPERT's STORY.
A reporter Of THE GAZETTE called on
Mrs. Liepert Thursdaymorning She says
that shortly before 6 O'Clock Wednesday
evening four young men came into the
saloon and asked for drinks. She was in
the kitchen and her husband was in the
bar.room. Mr.. Liepert refused to let the
young men have anything to drink and
told them that they already had enough.
They were evidently under the influence
of liquor. Upon being refused, the
young men became abusive, and Mrs.
Liepert says they began to call her
husband all manner of vile names. She
heard the noise from the kitchen, and
ran into the barroom to see what was
the matter.
She heard her husband order the men
out of the place, and when she reached
the barroom he was in trout OF the bar
trying to eject them. All were outside
the place but Straughn, who strenuously
objected to being put out and who still
had hold of Liepert. Liepert also had
hold of Straughn.
Suddenly Liepert let go of Straughn
and stepped hack few PAGES. Mrs.
Liepert then caught hold Of Straughn
and pushed him out the door. She
spoke to the young men and told them
not to come back. She alleges that
Straughn said to her; "That's ali right. /
fixed him anyhow. cut him." Ali of
the men then left the place and started
toward Market street.
When Mrs. Liepert looked around
she saw her husband holding his left
side and he said to her; "Look here !
They've cut mew Immediately the
Llood began to flow from small wound
in the left side, near the heart. Liepert
tainted and fell to the floor. Mrs.
Liepert was badly frightened and she
summoned help. DR.. John p. Pyle was
sent for and he attended 10 the mans
wound.
The presumption is that the deed was
committed with small penknife,
although neither Liepert nor his wife
saw the knife. In fact Liepert hardly
knew what had happened until he saw
the blood.
FEARS OF AFATAL RESULT.
DR.. Pyle was alarmed at the appear.
ance of the wound, and he feared il
might result fatally. The patient passed
a restless night, and on Thursday he
appeared to be worse. He was suffering
with high fever and the symptoms
were alarming, What the extent of the
injury will be is not yet known.
Magistrate Daley was sent for Wed
nesday night and took Lie pert's ante
mortem statement, it being feared he
would die.
ALL PROMPTLY ARRESTED.
The police were notified of the occur,
renee and they started to look for the
men. A. short time afterward Patrol
Sergeant McDermott and Patrolmar
Davidson saw iour young men run into
a saloon on Justison street below Front
and suspecting that they were the
parties wanted, they started after them
The young men went through the bal
room and out into the back yard. Gil
lespie and Walsh were captured by
Sergeant McDermott In the rear of the
saloon and StraughD, who started to gel
away, was apprehended by Officer
Davidson on Madison street near the
railroad. They proved to be the right
parties, and were taken to the police
station. They had nothing to say o.
the occurrence.
Liepert has been keeping the saloor
at Front street and Maryland avenue
for about year and half. He came t
Wilmington from Philadelphia, wher,
he worked in brewery. At one time h,
worked in a brewery in this city. He i
regarded as an inoffensive man and i
popular among the Germans. He i
about 3S years of age.
AT the account Liepert was improving