The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-11-14
BEATEN WITH A HATCHET
MARION LEATHERMAN, A FARMER,
MURDEROUsLY ASSAULTED.
Herman PassehI, a Young Rufian
from Brightwood, the AssaiIant-
Wounds May Prove Fatal.

Marion Leatherman, a wel-known and
highly-respected farmer, living mile north
of Millersville, was terribly beaten by a
gang Of men from Indianapolis, yesterday
evening, in the road near his farm. He re-
ceived six blows with a Ratchet that in
fiicted six serious wounds which may result
fatally. DIR. Bower, who attended him, said
late last night that he was uncertain what
the result might be. One of the blows was
with the blade of the Ratchet and made a
cash an inch and half long which laid
the skull bare The other wounds were ev-
identity made with the pole of the weapon,
and it is from these that the doctor fears
the worst results. Mr.. Leatherman was
unconscious when first taken to his home
but he rallied during the night and was able
to talk about the assault Two other per-
sons, one of them neighbor of Mr.. Leath-
erman, named McVey witnessed the affair."
but they were too far away to hear what
passed between Mr.. Leatherman and his as
sailants, and too far to render assistance
Mr. Leatherman's account of the trouble
is about as follows: He went to a pasture
to drive some cows and sheep to shelter
near the house. He took a Ratchet with
him and made some repairs to a fence be-
fore starting back with the stock. He came
back by the public road, driving the stock
before him. When near home he met
wagon in which were four men, who had
been hunting. They had several dogs fol-
lowing them, and these started after the
sheep, frightening the animals so that
Mr. Leatherman feared he would lose
them. The dogs might also kill them. Mr..
Leatherman requested the hunters to call
their dogs off. One of them, with an oath,
jumped from the wagon and grabbed the
Ratchet out of Mr.. Leatherman's hand and
then began raining blows upon the de-
fenseless mans head. Mr.. McVey, from
distance, and another man. began shouting
and ran toward the spot. This. caused the
hunter to drop the Ratchet and jump into
the wagon. The horses were whipped up
and the fellows escaped
Mr.. Leatherman says there was no occa-
sion for the assault, and that he did moth
ing to provoke the men. He merely asked
them mildly to call the dogs off, and made
no threats nor any attempt to assault them.
was easily overcome. When McVey reached
Mr.. Leatherman he was unconscious and
bleeding profusely.
Mr.. Leatherman is forty-five years old
and has a wife and three children. He is
esteemed by all the people of that commu-
nifty, and has the reputation of being a
quiet and laW-abading citizen. The people
about AIillersville are very indignant at the
dastardly assault upon one of their best
citizens, and might handle the rufflan
roughly if they had the opportunity. 1t is
believed the men can be found and arrested.
Later it was discovered that Leather
mans assailant was Herman Passehl. no
torious young ruffian, of Brightwood. He
was accompanied by Edward and William
Heidergott. AS his companions tell the
story, Passehl's dog began worrying a
flock of sheep and some cattle belonging
to Leatherman Mr.. Leatherman was bust
ly engaged repairing damaged fence and
saw that Passehl was urging the dog to
frighten the stock and mildly demonstrated
with him. Passehl began to bully the
farmer and crowded himself bodily against
him. Leatherman retreated in order to
avoid trouble but Passehl followed him
and, taking him off guard, wrenched the
Ratchet out of his hand and began muir
derous attack upon the farmer. The
Heidergott brothers finally succeeded in
forcing Passehl off the farmer and hustled
him toward Brightwood, while ,eatherman
staggered towards home. A messenger was
sent to Brightwood to summon DR.. B. A.
Brown, while a neighbor followed the
young ruffian to that suburb with the hope
of securing his arrest. This Is not Passehls
first offense nor the first time that he has
nearly committed murder. Even his own
parents fall victims to his RACES and his as
sociates often suffer at his hands. Although
he has served time in the workhouse, his
sentences have always been light and have
not served to improve his conduct.