The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-09-25
A DUEL OF FIVE SHOTS
AN EXCITING TIME IN THE BO0 GANG
HAUNTS LAST NIGHT.
Louis ShaIer, a LegIess Man, and
"OkIahoma Ralph Balm, saloon
Keeper, Shoot Each other.

Louis Shaler, known as a member OF the
boo gang" and Ralph Balm, a saloon
keeper, well known as oklahoma Ralph
had an encounter last night in the saloon
at the southeast corner of Noble and Geor-
gia streets. As a result both have bullet
wounds and both are under arrest charged
with attempted murder. The men fought
duel in the saloon, five shots being fired,
the men trying to get out of each others
way as the firing became warm The room
where the duel occurred shows the effects
of it. Two bullets pierced the plate-glass
window and one Clipped a big chunk Off
| the edge of the screen which stands before
the door to shut off from the street a view
of the bar.
There has been bad blood between Shaler
and Balm for year or more. Balm has been
keeping saloon at the corner of Georgia
and Noble streets for about three years.
He drew patronage from the notorious boo
gang" of which John Ferriter, the MUIR
derer of Patrolman Charles Ware, and men
of his ilk are members. The gang is COM
posed of men and boys whose highest ambi-
ton is to rush the can" and get drunk
At such times their conduct is disgraceful
and has caused many a run for the police
and many a case for the Police Court
Balm and Smaller seldom agreed, and when
Shaler had trouble with Bain's bartender
Saturday it caused fresh outbreak. Shaler
was in the saloon kept by the widow of John
Loes, opposite that kept by Balm. last even
ing at o'clock. Balm was intoxicated and
came into the place. The men had some
words and Balm pulled slungshot from his
pocket. He struck Shaler on the head with
it, Shaler jumped up from the corner OF
the table on which he was sitting and sue
ceeded in taking the weapon away from
Balm, and with it gave Balm a severe beat
ing. Balm then went back to his saloon.
This fight attracted the attention of some
law-abiding people and the police were noti-
fed. Bicycle Patrolmen Lancaster and
STREET. went to the place, but were unable
to get at the facts, they claim, as ShaIer
could not be found. They made a report
and the night men running that district
were instructed to investigate the affair and
secure warrants for the arrest of the men
engaged in the fight.
BOTH RECEIVE BULLETS.
The bicycle men had hardly reached the
police station when Balm returned TO Loes's
saloon. He found Shaler there again and
the two men Immediately opened fire on
each other. Balm fired three shots and
Shaler two. Shaler received bullet in the
fieshy Part of the thigh and Balm received
a bullet in the right shoulder 1t went in
from the back.
Patrolmen Griffin and Larsh arrested
Shaler Immediately after the shooting. He
was sent to the hospital for treatment
Shaler is known as Judge Stubbs'' among
his associates, owing to the fact that he
walks on two wooden stubs. He was form
erly brakeman on the Big -Four, running
between this city and Cincinnati One night
while his train was waiting on siding for
a passenger train, at a little station be-
| tween Greensburg and Cincinnati, he fell
asleep with his legs lying across the main
track. The passenger train came along at
both his legs off above the knee He now
walks around on two Stumps, but he gets
around very we'll and has not FORGOTTEN how
to use his fists in fight, for it is said he
has had much practice since his recovery
several years ago. For short time re-
Gently Smaller had the saloon at the SOUTH
west corner of Liberty and Washington
streets, but he quit this about six weeks
ago ago and ). has been doing nothing, since. He
| lives with his wife at 121 (old number)
| South Noble street. He is twenty-five years
old. DR.. Thomas, Of the City Dispensary.
was at the police station when Shaler was
brought in. He examined the wound and
advlsed that the prisoner be sent to the
| trolman or detective to guard prisoners
taken to the hospital was not followed in
this case. Turnkey Mathey instructed the
wooden legs.
Balm was arrested by Patrolman Griffin
ana LarSh an l.. hour after they arrested
| went to the home of Magistrate Clark and
gave bond for assault and battery. He
then returned to his saloon in the belief
that he could not be arrested. But he was
obliged to give a bond of $500 when taken
to the police station. This was given and
by one of the bullets from Shaler's pistol,
the ball striking the shoulder blade and
CHANGING outward, making only slight
flesh wound.
The stories of the two men differ ma
terially regarding the shooting Shaler and
David Ireadwell, one of the men with him
in the LoeS saloon. claim that Balm was the
assailant They say that Balm came into
the saloon and seeing Shaler said to him:
You are the fellow that caused the trouble
in my place Saturday" TO which Shaler
replied: There were others there besides
cause of the trouble" they claim Balm said,
and then Balm struck Shaler with the slung
shot.
Balm WENT AFTER A WEAPON.
Shaler says he felt confident that Balm
did not have a pistol with him when thu
assault occurred or he would have used it,
He felt equally certain that Balm would
get his pistol at once. and it might be as
well for him to arm himself. He went
home and put his own pistol in his pocket.
returning to the saloon. In a short time
Balm returned and opened fire on him. He
drew his pistol and defended himself. Balm
says that he was assaulted by Shaler and
his friends in the Loes saloon and defended
himself with the slungshot. When he re-
turned to the saloon 1T was not to seek
fight with Shaler, but Shaler opened fire on
him and he returned the fire.
did he hit your Balm was asked.
yes he plugged me in the back but l
was not running.
The bartender in Mrs Loes's saloon told
about the same story of the first encounter
as that given by Shaler and his friends.
He said he did not know which man AIRED
the first shot.
The trouble of Saturday referred 10 by
Rain was between Shaler and Rain's bar
tender over a game of dice. Five men
"shook the box and no one paid for the
drinks taken. The bartender accused
Shaler of owing the amount ana smaller
disputed ii. Shaler says the barten Ter
Jumped over the bar and hit him. The
bartender says he put his arm on Sh.tier as
the latter was going out the front door
without paying for drinks he ordered ana
that Shaler knocked him Gown.
Neither of the men bears goou rePutd-
tion with the police. Bain's saloon Is not
any worse than might be expected from me
class of customers he deals Wllns put lnS
police say his place has caused them q sv9u
deal of trouble. Balm is large man. re
is over six feet tall and weighs N the
neighborhood of 250 pounds lie - lnlryss
three wears old Shaler has been arrested
a humber of times. He usually nshtS tue
0oIacA x.yhen they arrest him.