Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1897-10-21
SEVERAL CHAPTERS.
Twin G ties Become Miniatuu 2
Chic go as tn Seat of Thiev=
cry and Petty Crimes.
Gang of Thugs at Work in This Section,

There was a hot time n the old town
last Thursday night. Officers Of both
cities will testify that the
above sentence is no song. If it is a
song it should be written to the lively
pop of revolvers as man shot at man
through the darkness of faded day.
Scarce had the REPORTER left the
press room last week, telling of petty
burglaries at Nekoosa and Port Ed
wards, when presumably the same fell
lows were "at it, again. The robberies
at the milling centers just south of us
occurred Tuesday night Wednesday
evening the thugs visited J. F. John
ston's saloon, opposite Green Bay depot,
Grand Rapids, and carried away cigars,
whisky, pop, and few dollars worth
of nickels from slot machine.
Thursday night these gentlemen of
the shade directed their pilfering to the
business portion Of our city. They
came down town and one was captured.
Frequent recurrence of stealing events
had put the night force on the alert.
Marshal Gibson stayed up to assist
ightwatchman Duncan in Centralia
Undersheriff Little remained late on
our streets to render service to Night
| Officer Hewlett. While Mr.. Hewlett
was patroling his beat on Center street
at midnight he saw head appear sud-
denly around the opera house, then a
| few minutes later two forms Garted
across the street to rear of Mrs. j.
| Hamm's store. A dark lantern was put
ward, examining four or FIVE places
until they reached the rear Of Daly's
saloon and stopped. Here they went
to work Hewlett hurried down to
| Chas. Gouger's saloon and summoned
J. T. Johnston to his assistance. Re-
turning, Hewlett and Johnston crept
stealthily upon the thieves and took
them completely by surprise. One was
ordered to throw up his hands, which
he did after making two attempts to
reach his pocket. The second thief
escaped between the saloon and Fish
er's harness shop, crossing Main street
down to river bank. The captured
man was taken to jail by W. E. Little,
who had to pinch the fellows wrist
black and blue before he would drop q
dangerous-looking knife which flashed
suddenly in view. The knife was stock
new and is thought to have come from
the Kleberg store at Nekoosa. While
being searched at the jail the man ex-
hibited Indifferent nerve, and gave his
name as F. A. Sloan. He said that they
wanted to beat the slot machines and
were trying hard to do it. He also re-
marked that his partner would not be
caught, and if that mug was followed
long enough several man hunters would
be filled full of lead. The dark lantern
used by him proved to be the bicycle
lamp belonging to Mr.. Vachreau, whose
wheel was stolen at Port Edwards. A
handkerchief bearing initials w. E. W.
in one corner was also found on his
person. Handkerchiefs were missing
from the trunk of w. E. Wood which
was entered at the Port Edwards
depot.
Sloan's partner concealed himself in
the clump of willows along the river
bank back of Hirzy's store until dis
covered by someone who indiscreetly
yelled "there he is." At this the man
jumped into Geo. W. Davis boat and
padded with a board straight across
stream to the island. At least a half
dozen men watched his movements
On the island he again secreted himself
until morning began to dawn, then
walked boldly across the little bridge
just above Mack's pulp mill. 1t was
now five O'Clock. Marshal Gibson stood
near the shore end of the bridge and
ordered halt, but the man answered
by a shot from his revolver directed at
Gibson. A running fight then occurred,
several shots being exchanged without
damage to anyone. Three blocks north
and two blocks west the chase contin-
ued, over fences, through yards-one
man on bicycle, another with rifle,
Nightwatch Duncan and several citizens
armed with revolvers, everybody com
ing from ali directions-but in Cooper's
yard the hard pressed fugitive must
have had duplicate of Moses chariot
without fire awaiting him, for be van
ished from earthly vision then and
there.
-
Friday night the chariot came down
again and two suspicious characters
were foiled in a second attempt to enter
the DAILY saloon at the same old place.
Mr. Hewlett shot three or four times at
a speedily retreating pair, but they
went out of sight in the Parrish lumber
yard.
-
Saturday night excitement took II diff
ferent form. About 8 o'clock "a. M
Albert Dickerman and Fred Pagels
finished saloon game of cards and
together started homeward, accom-
panied by a third person. Few remarks
were exchanged among them until the
trio reached the foot of Spafford's bill
on Oak street There the third person
started in advance of his two friends.
Dickerman and Pagels at once entered
into heated contention of words over
their card oarno Party uJmhqr three