Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-03-06
SHOT BY BURGLARS.
Officer HeaIy Of Lowell, Mass,
Probably Fatally Injured.
Shot, Beaten and Robbed by Burglars
Whom He Surprised.
They Escape One Shot Penetrates Lungs and
He Will Die.

Lowell Mass, March 5.-As resul.
of an encounter with two desperate
burglars whom he surprised while at
tempting to crack a safe in the office of
Scannell & Wholey in the Aver city
district at midnight, last night. Re
serve officer John F. Healy now lies at
deaths door at st. Johns hospital, suf-
fering from three bullet wounds and a
terribly battered head.
The desperadoes had previously held
up a lamplighter and had also broken
open a safe in the Office of the soap
factory and grain warehouse of w. A.
Dickinson, corner of Howard and Tan
ner streets, where they procured $12 or
15 and the result of their encounter
with Officer Healy shows that they
We're men who would not stop at MUIR
der.
1t was about / o'clock when the at
fair happened. Just before reaching
Scannell & Wholey's office door the
officer saw the form of a man and sus-
pecting that something crooked was
going on he FASTENED to the spot and
as he reached the office door man
sprang suddenly out and showing the
muzZle of a revolver in his face cried:
Hold up your hands, I've got YOU
officer Healy reached for his own re-
volver. 3s-calibre self-acting Smith &
Wesson, and as he did SO the burglar
shot. but the bullet went wide.
The officer by this time had drawn his
revolver and taking a deadly aim at the
click. but no report. He pulled again, put
the weapon refused to act. During this
time the burglar fired again. the shot TAX
ing effect in the officers left leg near the
knee.
In desperation the officer. threw aside
his revolver and gripping his nightstick
felled the burglar. with blow on the
head. The blow. however. did not knock
| the fellow out and when the officer
| jumped on him a desperate struggle en-
| sued Over and over they. rolled in the
when the officer finally got the fellow
where he was able to clasp the twisters
on him, he cried Help. help"
Almost Immediately a man came out OF
shouted: Pull a pill on him. quick.
The second man drew a revolver. there
was a fash and a report and the Office;
| felt singing pain between his shoulder
blades. Bang" went the revolver agar
and another bullet buried itself in the
officers right thigh; third shot missed
ground and cried I'm done. give in
The ruffians were without mercy. Tbs
second man drew a slug shot and STRUCK
him over the head while heo the fi tS m 9ac.
with his fist. Being knocked senseless
they relieved him of his handouts, twist
ers, club. revolver. watch and $50 in bills
overlooking $25 more In bills which he hat
In his pockets. They then made their es
cape from the scene and. up to midnigh
tonight, had not been apprehended.
When the officer, suffering from thre'
bullet wounds and a CHASTITY cut in ths
scalp, recovered consciousness. he stag
gered. blinded anu bleeding, to the near
est patrol box. which was nearly half {
mile distant, meanwhile blowing his whis
tie as best he could In MS. enfeebled con
dition.
Thomas J. Boyle, who lives at 100 How
ard street. heard the whistling and rails
ing a second-story window asked wha
was the matter. Healy replied: I've beer
assaulted robbed and shot,. Mr. Boyle
FASTENED into his clothes and coming GU
assisted him to the nearest police box
Opening the box. the officer attempted t.
converse with police headquarters. but h
was took week and Mr. Boyle talked fo
him The circumstances were very brief
" stated to Capt. Kew, who immediatel.
ordered the ambulance to the scene
Meanwhile a hack came along and tn,
officer was put into Ii and driven at gal
lop to police headquarters and then to ST
Johns hospital.
The doctors fear that one of the bait
has penetrated the lungs. There is litt.,
hope of Healy's recovery.