The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1897-01-21
BATTLED IN A SW AMP.
Farmers and Game Wardens in a
Bloody Conflict.
FOUR PERSONS ARE SHOT DOWN.

The wardens and Farmers Meet on the
Invisible Line Which Divides the Toiles-
ton Club Grounds from the Outside
World with the Result That Three Men
Are Fatally Wounded and Another
Slightly Hurt-Much Excitement.
Chicago, Jan. 21.-Game wardens in
the employ of the Tolleston Gun club
and a posse OF infuriated farmers re-
siding in the immediate vicinity of the
preserves in Lake county, Ind, met on
the invisible line which divides the club
grounds from the outside world Tues
day afternoon, and in the brush that
followed three men were fatally injured
and several others were slightly
wounded John Blackburn. shot in the
head, may die; Alvin Boutwell,, shot In
the body, will recover; Frank Kosker,
load of birdshot in his left lung, injur-
les fatal; Theodore Pratt, shot in the
leg, amputation necessary, may die.
| These men armed with heavy shotguns
and revolvers, participated in the shoot
ing: William Kunert, superintendent
of grounds Frank Whitlock, head war
den; Barney Whitlock, assistant war
den; Charley Whitlock, John Black
burn, and Alfred Taylor, wardens; AL
vim Boutwell,, farmer at Tolleston;
Frank Kosker, hired man; Theodore
Pratt, Hosford Park, William Lohman,
| farmers.
| Advanced with Each Volley..
The men were within ten feet of each
other when the firing began. and ad-
H. AvGt Oh m q
were scattering, but in the second round
Frank Kosker dropped with heavy
load of birdshot in his left lung. While
the firing continued John Blackburn
was struck in the head by a ball from
large caliber revolver. Stretched
on the ground he drew up heavy gun
and fired both barrels, the contents of
which perforated Theodore Pratt's leg,
so that amputation will be necessary.
The mems anger increased as they saw
their fellows drop from the ranks. and
when the ammunition gave out the
weapons were clUbbed, and they went
at each other like wild animals. Blood
was shed every time the pieces were
brought down. and half dozen OF the
men were seriously injured When the
news of the shooting reached the little
village of Tolleston. nine miles east o
Hammond Il was wild with excitement
Arrival of the Authorities.
Men gathered on the principal thor
oughfare and discussed the matter 70
a few minutes, then rushed off to thei
homes and armed themselves. Whil
preparing for an onslaught the author
tiles from Crown Point arrived in car
riages Sheriffs Farley and Sander
and a force of deputies got TO Tollestol
lust as the men were on their way u
the shooting grounds. When the depu
ties drew up to Trustee Conrad's hom
it was only by threats of arrest that tn
villagers were kept from carrying on
their plan, which was to Kill all tn
game wardens on the grounds. IN
farmers are reported to have beel
poaching on the clubs preserves an
to have attacked the wardens when or
I dered to leave. Frank Whitlock an
two of his wardens were arrested b.
Sheriff Farley and driven to the Crow
Point Jail over the old stage route
Feared tho Wrath of Villagers.
This was done because the authori
ties feared the wrath of the villagers
7 Sheriff Sanders had Blackburn an
. Charley Whitlock in charge, and, Will
the people were making Kosker com
. Portable at a farm house, they boarde
. a train aud went to Hammond, wher'
I'm the outskirts OF the town, the prison
I, ers were secreted until the night train.
Frank Koskers condition is critica
and he cannot live. He received
double load of shot in the left lung. Th
shot lacerated his breast and drov
pieces of clothing in the wound. HI
n declaration is that Game Warden Whit
lock is the instigator of the trouble
= that since the killing of Cleary an
e Moran by a young boy some years as
n the men have threatened to rid Calum'
Il township of its farmers, and on sewers