The herald., 1897-02-28
A Negro Burglars Fierce Fight
for Freedom
CAUGHT IN BRYSON BLOCK
And Gave Two Officers a Lively
TussIe
No One but the Prisoner Was Hurt-Then
Wresks His Vengeance on Prison
Furnishlngs

A sanguinary struggle took place on
the second floor Of the Bryson block
about 1880 last evening, the participants
being burly regro, named Joseph Minis,
and Police Detectives Auble and Haw
ley. The officers were attempting to ar
rest Minis for burglary, but had their
hands full. and before they had sue
ceeded in subduing their prisoner, were
given enough exercise to last them for a
week. At the finish all were covered with
blood, which had flowed from wounds
on Minis head. where he had been
cracked with pair of handouts. the
officers being smeared with the fluid, al
though unhurt themselves.
For some time Minis has been under
police surveillance, a known thief, but
never until last night could definite
crime be laid at his door. The negro
Is pretended Christian, being shining
light in the First Baptist church Of this
city. and carrying a Bible with him,
which he entatiously displays. He
has no regular employment, but at one
time worked for I. T. Martin. the Spring
street furniture dealer. polishing stoves.
Since Minis discharge, on several occa-
sions Martins store has been entered
and lace curtains, portieres, rugs. cut
lery. etc. stolen 1t was while tracking
down the burglar that the detectives ran
across Minis. Formerly the negro
roomed in the Mcdonald block on Main
street, but two months ago removed to
the third floor of the Bryson building
where he occupied an apartment fitted
up in gorgeous style.
When the detectives called upon Minis
a OF f~t,o = L.
wealth of lace curtains and portieres
draped In every conceivable place, which
adorned the apartment, many of which
still bore the price tag of Martins store
The negro was placed under arrest, al
though protesting that he was innocent
AS he said that he had several other
rooms, the officers were shown into one,
but found nothing in it. it afterward ap-
pearing that Minis had adopted this ruse
to open an opportunity for escape. He
was taken back into his own room, De-
tective Auble being with him, while
Hawley remained in the hall, locking
the door of the apartment they had been
shown. Seeing a chance, Minis suddenly
broke out through the door and down the
hall. but was collared at the head of the
stairs by Auble. Minis left his vest in
the officers hands and started again.
only to be grappled with by Hawley,
who was dragged clear down the flight
of stairs by the desperate African
Pulling his handouts and using them
on Minis head as a club the officer en-
gagged In rough and tumble fight In
which Auble quickly took hand Minis
is giant in strength and once threw
Auble clear over his head 1t requiring
the utmost endaavors Of both detectives
to finally down and handcuff him, but
he was eventually carried off in triumph
to the police station, where he was
booked for burglary.
In the receiving hospital his head was
stitched up. after which he was closely
questioned. In explana ton of his pos
session of SO much stolen property Minis
said that man oalled Frank Oatmea al
had left the goods In the yard of the
Spring street schoolhouse where he had
gone and got them This story was too
gauzy to hold, but as he stuck to It and
would say nothing else he was put into a
cell.
Once behind the bars, Minis took a
crazy streak. tearing his shirt from his
body, ripping 1t to shreds and beginning
the same process on his blanket, when
that article was taken from him. He
calmed down later on and gave no more
trouble. In his room, the officers state.
Minis has great amount of stolen stuff,
much of which can be readily identified.
He has evidently pursued his criminal
instincts for some time, in fact was
forced to leave the Mcdonald block be-
cause the police were after him for
petty thefts. He kept an organ in his
room and is a great psalm singer, de-
lighting in religious music and discus
sion of biblical topics. On Monday when
arraigned he will have something else
to talk about