The Roanoke times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1897-1977, 1897-03-31

eye he turned, jumped for me, placed the
muzzlo of his revolver against my head,
and fired. l ducked but it seemed to mo
that must have duckcd after the flash.
The ball cut n hole in my hair, but I
escaped injury. / managed to free myself
In another moment, but no sooner stood
on my feet than fell scnselcss. Harris
cleared out tho moment he SAW that my
hands were free 1t was an hour before
gained consciousness. When 1 did come to
finally, officers who had been attracted by
the shooting had captured the burglar.
There was great bruisc on my chest six
Inches in diameter. 1 had been struck Al
terrific blow, and it was that which caused
mo TO lose consciousness but from that
day, 2S years ago, to this l have never
known when svaS hit or what hit me-
Officer Thomas j. Howard, who travels
out of central station as plain clothes
man. had an experience with II French
Canadian burglar named Lo Montaignc
somo years ago which gave Howard tho
reputation for GOODNESS and courage which
he has since sustained III many another
tight place 1t was Labor day and Officer
Howard was walking along Halstcd street,
near Boston avenue There was n great
crowd of people lining the street and tho
detective saw IL man acting susDiciously in
I
Mt his face he recognized him as Il notori-
Gus burglar who was badly wanted lie
Montpignc saw tho officer and ran How
ard chased him into yard in the rear of
81 house OH Boston avenue. Tho Canadian
pulled revolver and shot point blank at
tho detective, but missed his aim. In an
instant Howard had grabbed lie Mon
taignc, his right arm passing around tho
burglars body and his left being actively
engaged in preventing his antagonist from
getting the muzzle of the revolver ut his
head. Howard Ind drawn his own weapon
and held it fast in his right hand; but be-
ing compelled to exert his strength in hold
ing tho burglar, he could not bring the
weapon into play. Lo Montaignc fired
three times ut the officer while he was held
in his embrace. Howard's fnce and left
hand were powder burned but in some
way he succeeded each time in knocking
the weapon aside just as the trigger was
pulled and in escaping the lcadcn missiles
by the breadth of Il hair. AS the fourth
shot was fired Howard trippcd his assail-
ant and had him we'll in hand to secure
him. 1t was just at this juncturo that
Officer Rafferty, appeared, and seeing the
gun in 10 Montaignc's hand, he fired ut
him directly over Towards shoulder, and
the burglar died in the very grasp of the
detective.
Ex-Inspcctor Edward Laughlin was for
many years accounted the coolest and most
courageous man, perhaps, on the police
force of Chicago He won fame for himself
many years ngo when he disarmcd an in
sane Frcnchman in the old Polk street
depot Tho Frcnchman's name was
Rcaume. He boarded Chicago bound
train at Kansas City, and after the Missis-
sippi river had been passed he suddenly
rose from his seat, drew two rcvolvcrs and
drove all the passengers from tho car. He
was violent, and it was evident in II mo-
mcnt that the car was in the possession of
maniac. An attempt was made at IL
small station to side track the dclncntcd
Frenchman, but as soon rs an attempt was
made to uncouplc the Cur he fired ut he
brakeman who attempted to make the dis
connection and drove him away He held
vt bay officers who were summoned mt ono
Dr. two small stations, and 1t was finally
decided to run into Chicago and to leave
the matter of arresting the crazy man to
the Chicago police. A telegram was sent
ahead, and detail of officers, under com i.
mand of Lieutenant Laughlin, went to the
depot to meet the incoming train. The en-
ginecr of the train began footing his
whistle shrilly as soon as no struck tho
city limits, and he kept up the blasts until
he drew in at the depot, and then Jumped
from his cab and cleared out. The passcn-
gers were all in the rear COACH and as soon
us the train stopped they scattered like
sheep. The force of policemen separated
onc-half of them passing on either side of
the coach containing the armed maniac.
AS soon as he saw the first brass button no
jumped to the platform and fired Patrol
man Cornelius Barrett fell dead, with IL
bullet in his groin. Rcaumc then jumped
from the car and started for the street
keeping up Il fusillade of shots. Tho alarm