The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-04-28
OFFICER REESE
IN ROLE OF HERO
Avenges Insult to His Wife By
Itinerant Book Agent.
I'D ENTITY ESTABLISHED
The Infatuated Husband Rained Blow
After Blow on Head of Culprit,
Who Acknowledged Guilt and
Begged for Mercy
I'D ENTITY ESTABLISHED

officer Joe Reese, of the police depart
1ment, is receiving the congratulations of his
friends for the artistic manner in which he
yesterday avenged an insult offered to his
wife about six weeks ago by an itinerant
book agent.
officer Reese lives with his family in a
pretty little cottage in Elyton on the West
End electric line, about two miles from the
center of the city. About six weeks ago
book agent called at the house in the alb
sence of the officer who was on duty and
offered for sale his books which he persist
ed in showing. Mrs. Reese politely in
formed him that she did not care to pur-
chase any books, but he pushed himself into
the house and seating himself on chair,
tried to arouse her interest by reeitng the
virtues of the book while he turned the
pages to show the illustrations She again
told him that she did not want the book
and asked him to leave. Instead of doing
so, however, the man eyed her closely and
became so insulting that Mrs. Reese fled
from the room. The book agent took adj
vantage of the opportunity to make him
self scarce, and soon shook the dust of
Elyton off his feet.
When Officer Reese reached home the
matter was reported to him by Mrs. Reese,
who gave him an accurate description OF
the man. He became greatly excited and
started out to find the fellow swearing
that he would kill him on first sight.
All Hunting for Him
The description was furnished to other
officers, but no trace of the man could be
found, and it was thought that he had left
the city.
Yesterday afternoon, however, as officer
Reese reached home for supper his daugh-
ter who was standing on the front porch,
pointed out a man who had just passed by
the house, stating that he was the man
who had insulted her mother. Without
stopping to further question the child. OFF,
Ger Reese started in pursuit of the fellow
who had by that time walked some distance
down the street. He soon overlook him
and asked If he was a book agent. He re-
piled in the affirmative, and was then
asked if he had been in the neiShborhood
before.
He stated that he had been there about
six weeks before, whereupon O.Acer Reese
asked him what houses he solicited. The
man pointed out several, among which was
the Reese home, not far away. Feeling
almost sure that he was the right man,
the officer questioned him in no uncertain
tones concerning the insult and taking him
by the arm insisted on his returning to the
house with him.
The man paled and reluctantly followed
the officer, whose blood was at boiling heat
but whose calmer Judgment prevented him
from committing a rash act.
The Agent identified
As the man stepped upon the front porch
Mrs. Reese and her two daughters fdenti-
fled him positively as the man who had so
rudely visited them six weeks before. I'm
able to further contain himself. Officer
Reese grabbed the fellow in the collar with
his left hand and with his right he rained
blow after blow on the culprit's head and
face bringing blood at every lick. The
man acknowledged his wrong, and begged
piteously for mercy. but not until Mrs,
Reese and her daughters interceded in his
behalf did the Infatuated husband desist.
He then ordered the fellow to get" and
advised him to leave the country.
The mans name was not known to Of
ficer Reese and could not be learned. but
it is said that he insulted another lady in
the same neighborhood on "Wednesday.
After eating his supper. Officer Reese re-
turned to his post at the union depot. feel
ing satisfied that he had done his duty.