Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-06-09
NEARLY A MURDER.
John Lane Shot in Harms
Summer Garden.
DRUNKEN TRAVELLING MANS DEED.

Walter GIertsea Resents Ejectment From
| - First Avenue Saloon with Ballet and
Then Attempts to End His Own Exist
ence-Actsd Liks . wild Man.
What came near being a double
tragedy was the climax of drunken
debauch INDUCED in by Walter
Giertsen. young Chicago travelling
man last evening. The consequence
is that John .. Lane, bartender at
Harms saloon and restaurant, at the
corner Of First avenue and Eigh-
teenth street, is lying with q bullet
in his head at his home in Daven-
port. and the wouid-be murderer and
suicide languishes in the county
| bastile.
Giertsen is Incorporating young
man who represents the D. A. Fay &
Egan Co., manufacturers and ma
chinery merchants, of 1926 South
Canal street, Chicago. He has many
acquaintances here, being q com
mercial visitor to this city at 30-day
periods. He arrived yesterday morn
ing at IL o'clock and put up at the
Harper house. The remainder of
the day up to the time of the shoot
ing was passed in drinking over the
Second avenue refreshment counters.
1t was not long before he began to
show the effects of a good-sized jag.
and finally he lost control of himself.
He became very ugly and to more
effectively demonstrate what he
termed his desperation he pulled out
q revolver in the saloons of O'Connor
& Brough and the American house.
reminding the occupants of the re-
spective places that he was a real
bad fellow and might do something
rash should an occasion present it
self. But Giertsen found no one
anxious to dispute his arguments. So
he decamped without doing any
harm.
Giertsen Gets Into Trouble.
Just before o'clock in the even
ing he made his appearance at
Ha rms bar room, entering in the
company of another stranger, who
ordered supper. This was served to
him. Here Giertsen continued his
disorderly maneuvers much to the
annoyance of patrons of the place
and the bartenders, Charles Borst
and John A. Lane, who demonstrated
with the intoxicated traveller to dis
sist in his carrying on. They we're
given to understand by Giertsen that
he was capable of conducting him
self aud would be responsible for any
thing which he might do. And SO
he continued cutting up and abusing
people around the bar room. The
man whom Giertsen came in with
retired to a side room, where he
hoped to enjoy his lunch in peace.
But he was followed by the bolster
Gus young travelling man. MIR.
Borst once more appealed TO Giert-
sen to discontinue his foolish ness,
but a repetition of his former re-
Spouse was the answer. N, thing re-
manned but to order Giertsen from
the place. This injunction was like
wise refused. Then Mr.. Borst
grabbed hold Of Giertsen and hustled
him through the rear door and out
onto the Eighteenth street sidewalk
via the summer garden entrance.
During the scuffle Giertsen dropped
his hat, which he was permitted to
return and pick up. He was fol-
lowed out to the gateway by Barten-
der Lane, who directed him toward
the hotel and gave him some kindly
advice as to what would be the best
thing for him to do-to go to hotel
and sleep off his jag. Giertsen re.
sponded in still more abusive air.
Then Mr.. Lane turned around aud
in company with Edward Goope|,
who witnessed the whole perform
ance, started back toward the bar
room. He had walked but q lew
steps when shot was fired.
Lane Shot In the Head.
The ball entered at the back Of
Lanes head. He staggered but wa.
caught before falling. DIR. q. G.
Craig was summoned and after band
aging up the injured mans heao
ordered him taken home to Daven.
port. The shooting attracted az
immense crowd. Officers Carnes anG
Kramer we're ON the scene immedi
ately aud started on the trail of the
would-be murderer, who dashed
through the alley between First ans
Second avenues up to Sixteenth street
He was next heard of st the Mauckel
house. where he purchased sof
hat. for which he paid 81. having
lost his own while running. when h
also threw away the revolver. Thel
Giertsen came up to Second avenu,
and went into O'Connor & Brought
saloon and asked about the condition
of the man who had been shot. H,
was told that it was serious. Hi
cheeks turned ashen white and burst
ing out with cry he rushed to al
apartment in the rear, where Mr.
O'Connor 'st arrived in time to pre-
vent him committing suicide. H
had a pocket knife drawn in his RICH
hand and was about to slash hi
throat when his rescuer grabbed hi
hand. Girr.een was turned over {,
Officers Carnes and Kramer, VII,
. took him down to Jail. where b.