The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1900-01-18
THE ACT OF
A MADMAN
James WEIGH Makes an IN
successful Attempt to Kill
Judge Lochren.
Thrilling Scenes in the Cham.
berS Of the Veteran
Jurist Yesterday.

! Jurist Yesterday.
A dastardly attempt was made yesterday
noon by James WEIGH to take the life Of
| Judge William Lochren, Of the United
States circuit court. The sensational episode
occurred in the judges chambers on the
second floor of the postohce building. in st.
Paul. The success Of the attempt was
foiled by the heroic action of Messenger
James Conway.
Court had adjourned for the noon hour,
and the judge had entered his chambers
preparing to go to lunch. He was placing
his ovcrshoes on his feet when WEIGH en-
tered. The latter was plaintiff in q dam
age suit for $4,000 against the Northern
Pacific railroad, In which case Judge
Lochren directed q verdict for the defend
ant last Saturday.
| AS the veteran Jurist stood up to greet
his visitor. WEIGH stepped forward to with
| In few feet Of the Judge. AS he spoke
he bent his right arm at the elbow.
Judge. this Is a hard CASE" he said.
What would you advise me to do about
IT."
well. I'm sure don't know what you
can do about It," was the answer Of the
Judge.
JUDGE LOCHREN'S PERIL.
Almost instantly. and before another word
had been spoken. the disgruntled litigant
whipped out revolver, pointing it at the
head OF the federal Judge. There was q
space Of but few feet between them.
1t was at this juncture that Messenger
Conway showed admirable presence Of mind
and unquestioned bravery. Conway was
close at hand. and he Immediately sprang
between the wouldbe murderer and his
superior. Conway and WEIGH grappled with
each other, and desperate struggle en-
sued. The messenger attempted to take the
gun away from WEIGH, but the latter struck
mis- adversary over the head several times
with the butt end of the weapon.
Seeing that he was likely to be captured
and that Conway was getting the best Of
him, WEIGH broke away and entered
closet. He jumped from an open window
looking out on an alley leading from Fifth
street. Below the window there is a COW
cred entrance, and upon this WEIGH leaped.
To the ground it is but about six feet and
WEIGH easily made his escape after emerg-
ing from the window.
When the two men began their desperate
struggle the door was slightly open and
Judge Lochren stepped out into the hallway
to summon help. Capt. Lawrence was near
by, and the jurist called him to assist Con-
way. However, the door had shut and the
spring lock held it fast. Judge Lochren
opened it at once but Conway was alone as
WEIGH had just made his escape. He had
left his cap behind in his hurry to make an
exit.
No time was lost in trailing the desperate
man. United States Marshal Grimshaw was
soon on hand. and. with several deputy mar
shals he Joined in the chase. The st. Paul
police were notified of the, occurrence and
given description of the man. WEIGH was
found in upper Third street within half an
hour He was removed to the Ramsey county
Jail after first being taken to the central
police station. On his person was found
small brush broom which he claimed was
the gun" which he had drawn on Judge
Lochren. No weapon was found in his
clothes.
Welch's damage suit was tried before
Judge Lochren last week and it is believed
that the plaintiffs failure to secure dam
ages was the cause of his desperate attempt
to take revenge upon the Judge. The amount
asked by WEIGH was Sc, 900 for injuries
which he claimed to have received in an
accident at Mandan, N D.
HIS CLAIM FOR DAMAGES.
According to the claims of WEIGH, his
arms were shattered while he was stealing
q ride on freight train on the Northern
Pacific railroad. He stated in his testimony
that brakeman had pulled him out of a
car while the train was in motion. Accord
ing to his statement he fell under the wheels
and was badly hurt. However, several wit
nesses gave evidence to the effect that the
plaintiff had not been hurt as he claimed,
but that he was injured while attempting
to catch another train which started sub
seQuent to that on which the alleged acct
dent is said to have occurred. The case
was bitterly fought. Judge Lochren took
the case under advisement Friday after
noon and verdict for the defendant was
ordered by the court Saturday.
1T was shown conclusively on the trial
that WEIGH had signed a release Of all claims
against the company when he was admitted
to the hospital at Brainerd," stated the
Judge after the. episode. which might have
cost him his life. 1.-The consideration was
that the company should bear all the ex-
pense Of hospital treatment. This largely
governed my action in directing a verdict
Besides, Welch's story was contradicted by
! number Of witnesses on nearly all ma
erial points.
II had not the slightest idea that the
nan bore me any malice, and was thunder
LITTLE KNOWN OF WEIGH.
According to the Jail records, WEIGH was
,orn in Boston, but when asked where his
,lace Of residence was he refused to an
wer, and 1t seemed to irritate him. He
s a man Of small stature, dark complexion
md broad accent. Just after the occur
ence he gave every evidence of having i'm
'ibed freely Of liquor.
1T is all nonsense he replied when
sked why he had attempted Judge Loeb
ems life. Il never had a gun, but an old
rush broom. Why, II had gun and it
7as my purpose to shoot, what prevented
ae from shooting? Judge Lochren beat
ae out Of a $4,000 verdict. He took the
ase under advisement in order to consult
With the railroad. That night he had a
onsultation with the road officers and got
5000 for doing what he did. The case will
o to the highest court in the land
''You might as we'll get out Of here
aid the prisoner in a rage when questioned
urther about himself. mo man in this :
ountry can pump me. Do you UNDER
tand?"