The Butler weekly times., 1897-06-10
KILLED BY A POLICEMAN.
Ex-Officer Wright Dies From Blow From a

Ex-0ficer Wright Dies From a Blow From ;
Club.
K. c. Star. sth.
Richard Wright, of 1914 Crane
avenus, former policeman, who wal
discharged from the force for being
drunk on duty and for viciously
fighting officers when they tried te
arrest him, resisted arrest ain last
night and was killed. He died in
tho corridor of the central police
station holdover at $50 O'Clock thii
morning from fracture of the base
OF the skull, caused by blow on the
head from Patrolman Albert Baird {
club.
When Wright left bis home
yesterday morning at 10 O'Clock
he was sober, but when he
appeared on Independence avenue
near Cherry street at 6 o'clock last
evening he was drunk He was with
a negro and was talking and swear
ing IN q loud tone. He soon had q
crowd of children around him. The
prattle and laughter made him angry
and he kicked at several small boys
Wright entered NJ. Highlander s
grocery store at the corner of Inde-
pendence avenue and Cherry street
and kicked the proprietor out of the
store. He cursed everybody in
sight.
While going out of the store he
met Patrolman Baird, who told him
he would have to 60 to the police
station. Wright, SO Baird says, de
clared he would not 60, and he tried
to get away. Baird tripped him in
the street and q negro came up and
assisted in holding him. John W
Mier, q druggist across the street
sent in q call for the patrol wagon,
and Baird led Wright into the drug
store to get away from the crowd.
Inside the store Wright began fight.
ing tor his liberty.
sYou can't take me to the police
station, says he to Bard. "There
isn't enough policemen in town to
do that"
WRIGHT THREATENHD TO SHOOT.
Wright wrenched his right hand
free from the grasp of tho negro
and, reaching for his hip pocket, al
If to draw a revolver, eaid:
''I1l shoot you"
Then Baird dealt Kim . blow on
tho back of the head with his club.
Wright dropped to the floor, blood
flowed freely from his left ear. 1t
was about ton minutes before he re-
gained consciousness and then he had
to be carried to the patrol wagon,
which had arrived. He could not
sit up in the wagon and on reaching
the central police station he was tax.
en- down to the holdover, as it waa
thought he was drunk. No attsn
tion Was paid to him during the fore
part of the night.
Jailer Smith was making the
rounds of the holdover about
o'clock this morning when he observ
ed that Wright breathed heavily.
Tho jailer could not arouse him and
he notified Captain Burns and Assis
tant Police Surgeon Norhurg wae
summoned. Wright was taken out
Of the cell and placed on tho floor ol
the corridor. The surgeon failed to
revive him and he died two hours
aud half later
ED.-kichard NJ. Wright was for
merly marshal of Butler, and was not
only an excellent official but q law
abiding citizen, with many warn
friends. His dissipated habits seen
to have dated from his employment
oa the Kansas City polics force
His remains were brought to Butler
Wednesday. Funeral services wer'
held at the Christian church and tn,
remains inferred in Oak Hill GENE
terry. He leaves q widow and tive
children, who have the sympathy @
the entire community.
The marriage of Mr. Chas Fulker
son and Miss Lou Cheatham tool
| place in this city at the residence o
the brides mother, Mrs. Chsathan,
yesterday evening. The TINES can
not say too much in praise of thi
young couple. They are we'll mated
as both are the representatives o
most excellent families and thei
welded life we predict, will be con
genial and happy throughout. Th
bride for the past three or four year
has held position as teacher in ou
public schools, and her kind disposi
ton; amiability and high characte
has won for her the friendship an,