The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1900-08-02
TERRIBLE BATTLE.

Negro Desperate Kills and Wounds Many
People Before Being Shot.
New ORLEANS. July 3O.-After des-
perate battle lasting for several hours
in which he succeeded in killing Ser
geant Gabriel Porteous, Andy Van
Kurem, keeper of the police Jail, and
Alfred J. B. Bloomfield, young boy,
and fatally wounding Corporal John F.
Lally, John Banville, ex-Policeman
Frank H. Evans and A. S. Leclero, one
of the leading confectioners OF the city,
and more or less wounding several
other persons, the negro desperate,
Robert Charles, who killed Captain
Day and Patrolman Lamb and badly
wounded Officer Mora, was smoked ont
of his hidingplace in the heart of the
residence section of the city during the
afternoon and literally shot to pieces.
Sergeant Gabe Porteous, one Of the
best known officers on the force, and
Sergeant John F. Lally, who has fine
record for bravery, were informed dur.
ing the day by negro that
. Charles Was In Hiding
in a house on Clio, near Saratoga
street. Determining to take him alive
if possible, the officers summoned
number Of patrolmen to their assist
ance, and went to the house. The me-
gro informant of the policemen accom-.
panied the officers. They entered the
side alley of the house and before the
officers were aware of their danger
Charles, who was hidden behind a
screen on the second floor Of the build
ing, raised his Winchester and began
furious, but accurate fire. Lally fell
with bullet in the right side of the
abdomen. Porteous was shot through
the head and dropped dead across the
body of Lally. The other officers and
the negro fed from the scene. The re-
ports of Charles VIII. chester and the
fact that the two policemen lay bleed
in the yard
Raised Tremendous Excitement.
Hurried calls were sent to the mayor,
the chief of police and Colonel Wood,
in command Of the special police. and
as soon as possible armed help was
rushed to the scene. In little while
there was an immense armed crowd
circlng the square in which Charles
was located. In the meantime Father
Fitzgerald of St. Johns church was
summoned to administer extreme unc-
ton to the police officers. The priest
responded promptly and he was anoint-
ing the body Of Porteous, with Alfred
G.. Bloomfield. a young boy, standing
by his side, when Charles again ap-
peared at the window. The lad saw
him at once and begged the desperate
not to shoot him. Charles Immediately
fired his Winchester again and Bloom
field fell dead.
In the meantime an immense crowd
had gathered in the, vicinity and
schemes were set on foot to get Charles
out of the building. Charles, however,
did not propose to be captured without
Selling His Life Dearly.
Time after time he came to the window,
and as men, one by one, entered the
alley, he blazed away at them. In this
manner four others were wounded.
AT this time the extra police began
firing at the negro and he returned
their fire. Andy Van Kuren, keeper of
the police Jail, got bullet in the body
and fell dead. Just afterward II. II.
Bait was hit and mortally wounded.
Ultimately it was decided that the only
way to get Charles was to burn the
building In which. ne was cnsreno!.odd.
There were, however, some scruples
against resorting-to this method Of get
ung MIN owing 20 the secrIon IN wnicn
the house was situated being dsnsely-
populated. At . moment Of apparent
'ldecision, someone went 70 Q neighbor-
! ing grocery purchased oan Of oil and
pouring it ,oyee the rear steps Of the
building applied . matoh and soon had
the building in fames. 90 nsrcsly did