The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1897-07-06

Walter Gessman was arrested carry
yesterday morning. and lodged in the
Benwood lookup, charged with stab
bling Ed Pearl and George Earnest, the
victims OF the cutting ARRAY at Boggs'
Run crossing, Sunday night. He is held
without bail.
Gessman Is one of the party that was
standing on the road when the wagon
containing Pearl, Earnest and several
others, drove along. The party was
composed OF respected German citizens
OF Benwood and the Eighth ward, and
had Just returned from an outing, and
stood al the bridge to exchange good
nights. There are different versions as
10 the origin OF the night, but II seems
as II those 10 the wagon were the ag-
The following persons were injured
as a result:
Edward Pearl, abdomen ripped open.
and wounded in the shoulder His re-
coveTy win be almost q miracle.
George Earnest. four cuts 10 Shout
der and arm. He was able 60 be out
yesterday, and viii soon be well.
Joseph Antlinger. Eighth ward, face
bruised, eyes nearly closed, and stab
bed IN the left hip. HIS injuries aye
not serious.
Fred Staecke. Benwood, right hand
cut, and 4 few cuts on the face.
Philip Alberts, Eighth ward. face con-
siderably battered,
Fred Staecke Is an engineer at the
Wheeling steel works, and Gessnnan, the
young man arrested, Is his nephew. Ac-
cordlng 10 Staecke'a story. he aud his
wife and four children. and Gessman.
stopped at the bridge a few minutes
before they parted from their Wheel
ing Friends Philip Alberts, Louis Feis-
ner. Joseph Antllnger and Ferdinand
Kehr. The wagon that came along
crowded the party very close to the
guard rail on the sidewalk. and threa~
tened TO run over the children. Mr..
StaeclSe drew the children IN closer.
Some words followed, and before he
knew what was up Pearl and Earnest
came down out ot the wagon and adj
vanced towards them.
Artlinger was taken from his home
yesterday morning 10 Benwood. but he
WINS so weak that the preliminary hear
Ing was deferred until he got better, He
says that he was beaten about the head
by board In the hands OF one Of the
wagon party. -Sert also stated
yesterday, that he was knocked sense
less, and did not regain consciousness
until after the fght was over.
Gessman denies having used a knife
or having taken any part in the affair.
but his arrest was made upon informa-
tlon that tends 20 connect him with the
cpttiRg. He IL a quiet young man, as
Is his uncle, Mr.. Staecke, and neither
would modest anyone without provoca-
ton. While the occurrence Ia greatly
to be deplored. and the sympathy for
Pearl and Earnest Is general. sentiment
In Benwood, where all the parties are
known, favors the party attacked first.
and It IS not thought that there would
have been any injuries inflicted unless
In self defense
Efficient work by Officer Dudley. vino
had the names Of those connected vita
the case few hours later, led to
throwing considerable light upon an af-
fair over which there Is yet consider
able mystery. Dudley did geoman
work securing witnesses and worked
hard on the case early yesterday morn
Ing.
Another account Of the fight Is that
Earnest was cut while trying TO save
Pearl. but until the hearing before
Squire Lacey, there Is nothing tangible
to be adduced. The Benwood police
have summoned several eve witnesses
Of the affair Earnest made his afH-
davit that Gessman aid the cutting.
Yesterday Il was erroneoDsly stated
that GunEarlans were mixed up In the
fight AS Mr.. Seaecke's party spoke In
German, this fact led to the current ru>
NOR,