Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1898-08-01
FIGHT WITH A CROOK.
Chief of Police Pender Attacked
While Arresting John
Riley.
FIERCE STRUGGLE IN AN ALLEY.

Head of the Department Proves Himself
Equal to the Occasion. and Lands a Des-
perate Character Behind the Bars After
an Encounter In Which Both Are Marked
Other Criminal News.
Chief of Police J. H. Fender had a
desperate encounter Saturday night
with crook giving his name as John
Riley, whom he had placed under ar
rest for assaulting Maj. Beardsley, as
a result of which he is carving a
bruise under the left eve and few
scratches in his face. while Riley is
displaying decorations which bear
evidence to the fact that got he decid-
edly the worst of the battle.
Riley-he is known BY other names
is familiar to the police of MANY
cities. He hobs up at all big doings.
He is considered smooth article. and
was attracted here by the saengerfest.
He was hanging up in front of the
White Seal saloon Saturday night
about 10 O'Clock when some difficulty
arose between he and Maj. Beardsley.
The latter was dealt blow that laid
him out on the sidewalk. Chief PEN
der put quietus on the trouble by
laking Riley in tow and requesting
him to accompany him to headquar-
tiers. They walked over to Third ave-
nue., the chief not desiring to make
any more show than was necessary
over the affair. He had Riley by the
left arm.
Riley did not show his metal until
reaching the alley at the rear of the
Commercial house when, taking the
chief unawares, he swung on him with
his right. Mr.. Fender realized that
he was up against a tough proposition
and that it behooved him to fight. He
waded into Riley with natures wea-
pons. After clinch both men fell in
the alley several feet from the walk,
Riley being on top. The chief caught
him by the threat, shut off his wind,
rolled him over and basted him several
times.
Thinking Riley had received enough
and not wanting to inflict undue pun
ishment, Chief Fender arose and asked
the fellow to 60 along peacefully. But
Riley was game and he renewed his
attack. A fierce struggle followed, in
which Riley was stretched lengthwise
of the walk three times, the chief
being finally compelled to bring his
billy into play. Riley fought like a
demon, his desperation increasing as
the battle progressed, and was only
subdued after he became so weak that
he could not effectively operate his
dukes any longer. Chief Fender then
took his man to the Commercial
hotel, called the wagon and had him
taken to the station, where he was
locked up.
Riley was held to the grand jury
today in $500 bonds by Magistrate
Stafford for resisting an officer.
Mike Boyce was given 10 days for
vagrancy.
Carl Schmidt. of Peoria. reported
to the police last night that he had
been robbed of $75 diamond pin.
Mrs. Smith. residing on Eleventh
street and Fifth avenue, tells the po-
lice that her 14-year-old son has been
missing from home since last
Wednesday.
John Gavin and John Morrison are
under arrest at Davenport, accused of
robbing Mr.. Schultz, Minnesota
delegate to the saengerfest, at the
Burlington depot, this city. last Fri
day. They will be brought here. for
trial.
HOldup I'm Davenport.
DR.. j. A. Daniel was held up at his
Office in the McManus block. Daven-
port, Saturday evening, by two men
and robbed of $ll5. The doctor told
the police that while he was in the act
of putting the money away in his safe
man entered his office and threw q
towel over his head and warned him
not to say word. His hands were
quickly tied behind him, handker-
chief was stuffed into his mouth and
he was left to lie upon the floor. The
men got the money and departed.
About half an hour afterward. ac-
cording to the doctor, he managed to
roll over to the door, and by making
a noise succeeded in getting the eleva-
tor boy to come and unloosen him.
Davenport has been overrun with
crooks since the saengerfest opened.