The San Francisco call., 1897-02-04
New Hopes Desperate Dual
Murderer Landed in
Prison.
Thrilling Experience of Constable
McCulloch, Who Made the
Arrest.
Fight for Life Turned in Favor Of
the Officer by the Arrival of
Two Citizens.

STOCKTON, CAL, Feb 3.-Sheriff Cum
ningham ana Constable McCulloch re-
turned at about IL o'clock this forenoon
by train, bringing TO the county Jail Muir
derer Kleupfer, who is without doubt one
OF the most desperate criminals that have
ever been in custody in this county.
The story of his capture is thrilling
enough for the most blood-curdling of
yellow-covered novels. Constable McCuI-
loch showed himself to be a man of
the bravest type, and it WAS owing to his
fearlessness and cunning com bined that
Kleupfer was made prisoner.
After the shooting the murderer walked
up to the bar of the saloon from which he
had been shortly before elected and in
tone of bravado called for drink. Robert
Kirkland happened to be behind the bar
In that moment OF confusion and, hastily
and nervously passing out bottle of
whisky, he told Kleupfer that he could
nave anything in the place. The assassin
took big drink of whisky. Kirkland
does not know how much he drank, but
he was sure that it was good. measure.
The N urderer then went over to his own
| BARRON and reloaded his revolver.
Constable Mccullough was on his way
back from Lodi while the shooting was 60
Ing on and he arrived at New Hope about
ten minutes afterward. By that time
kleupfer had returned to his OWE barroom
anc, with pistol in hand, was waiting for
whatever might happen. Mccullough
entered the saloon, but he could not draw
his gun and very discreetly left it in his
pocket, for Kleupfer would have killed
him the moment he entered the place had
he made any show OF fight.
For nearly two hours Kleupfer COM
PEELED the Constable at the point of pis-
tai to tend bar. At the expiration of that
time Kleupfer and Mccullough found
themselves sitting beside each other, about
four or five feet apart.
kleupter was next to the bar and the
constable was sitting to his left KIeupfer
held his pistol in his left hand, pointing
it at the officer. Nothing was said and
both men were motionless. For mo-
ment Kleupfer took his eyes off the off,
Ger and they seemed to droop. 1t was the
first relaxation he had had for over an
hour. 1t was just momentary. but long
enough. In an instant he ,reeled from the
chair, muttering you've got me-"
The constable had snatched his own
pistol with his right hand from the front
left side OF his trousers, and, swinging his
right arm from him, struck the murderer
stunning blow just above the eyes.
A big cash was cut and one OF the eyes
was badly discolored ana lacerated.
Kieupfer was dazed, but only for an in:
stant. He made a desperate effort to re-
gain his feet, fun bling in the meantime
with his revolver. But the officer. al.
though pretty old man, was agile and
dextrous, and Kleupfer no sooner reeIed
from his chair than the officer was upon
him, the two struggling for their lives on
the floor.
Just then two of the townspeople, named
a. w. Fitzgerald and Walter Ruther ford,
came to the porch of the saloon, and see
ing the murderer and the officer strug-
Cling inside rushed to the Corsta bie's as
sistance.
Others also hastened to the scene, and
soon Kleupfer was overpowered. He
fought to the last with all his might ana
main, not giving in while any strength
was left him, and not being bit affected
by the hopelessness of his struggle.
After he was handcuffed he still foueht
and when Sheriff Cunningham and
Deputy Wall arrived three men were
exerting their full strength to hold him
down. If he had broken away he might
have done deadly work by striking right
and left with the handouts.
After his arrest the murderer said he
inte0ded also to kill his two partners in
business. Louis Landeeker, ,Bavarian
and Cert Coblentz, a Frenchman. The
latter went to San Francisco yesterday,
and the former hid when he heard what
Kleupfer had done.