The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-01-01
FIGHT WITH A THIEF.
Waterman Jones Has a Des-
perate Struggle for Life.
THROWN IN THE TIDE FLATS.
While Arresting One Man, He Is As
sailed From Behind by Another
and Brutality Beaten.

chase through the railroad yards,
desperate struggle in the dark in which
his man was almost captured. blow on
the back and one on the face from an ac-
complete. knocking him through a hole
into the mud fats below, tells the story
OF A fight late Monday night between
Night Waterman William VI. Jones, OF
the Northern Pacific and oregon Improve
ment Company. and two robbers in the
railroad yards in the southern part OF the
city.
At a few minutes after Ii O'Clock, as
Jones was making MS rounds through the
yards. ne heard noise coming from one
OF the boarding cars belonging TO a work
train on a sidetrack near Second avenue
south and Weller street He passed on
the north side OF the car, and just as he
got opposite the door saw a man jump out
on the other side. and at the same time
heard something drop that sounded like
box Upon reaching the ground the man
ran diagonally across in the direction OF
the Salvation Army woodward. and then
on south past the old Overland house.
Jones gave chase, and was rapidly over
hauling the suspected robber, who had
turned west 10 the railroad tracks across
First avenue south into the alley south OF
the Stetson & Post mill. The alley is a
narrow one. and very dark affording a
good place for hiding. OF which the rob
her took good advantage He lodged be-
hind a large pile of cordwoOd. but was not
quick enough To escape his pursuer's eye.
The Waterman went in after his man,
who showed fight. but whack on the
head from Jones revolver took a good
deal of the fight out of him. Slipping his
manacles out Zones attempted TO hand
cuff his man but the fellow made another
attempt to fight. and was struck again on
the head. This time the fellow went down,
and just as Jones was placing the nippers
on his man ne was struck a tremendous
blow on the shoulders from behind that
sent him spinning through the air at a
lively rate He landed partly in
a hole In the trestle, and while
trying to gel up was struck
another blow by the accomplish this time
IN the face, and knocked down through
the hole 10 the mud fats below. How long
he remained there ne does not know al
though he remembers having made an at
tempt to get up and of shooting OFF his
revolver in the air several times to at
tract attention 10 him, but without sue
cess. He managed TO scramble out and
wander up First avenue south as far as
the New England hotel where he asked
some one 10 accompany him TO the switch
ing tower on King street, where he
taken. and from there on home. Dr. r
II. Coe was called, and attended the
bruises, which are numerous and painful
though not dangerous. The wounds on his
face We're the worst, one Of them show
ing the imprint OF a club with which he
was struck.
broad welt also showed extending
across the back. and the neck is badly
swollen and discolored by the fall There
is q cut below the left eye. apparently
made bX some sharp-edged instrument
There is also a fracture of the nasal
bones. which have been broken before
because. as his wife put IL last night he
has been in the habit of pokng his nose
into other peoples business" a habit
doubtless contracted while he was Oh the
police force. This member OF his face
viii be slightly twisted for life though
no permanent disability MI result. The
spot selected for the blow on
the back was fortunate one
for Jones. for had 1t been six
inches higher. it would have broken his
neck. and had il been the same distance
below il would have struck just back OF
the kidneys, a peculiarly dangerous spot
and one which is invariably selected by
Spanish thugs in sandbagging their vic
Tins. science and experience having
taught them that a wound in that locality
IS sure 10 result in a hemorrhage produc-
ing a lingering but certain death.
Jones is an ex-policeman. and is well
known throughout the city. He was con
sidered one Of the hravest men i'm the de-
partment and is highly thought of by
the companies employing him. 1t is proba-
bic that he viii be taken TO the hospital
for treatment. The police are working
up the case. but as yet have not discover
ed a leading clue. Two strangers were
seen hanging around the yards on Mon
day trying to sell some cheap jewelry. and
they are believed to be the assailants