Waterbury Democrat., 1901-10-30
HIS BADGE SAVED HIM.
2. s. Elton's Coachman Had an Excit-
 ing Experience.


 Supernumerary Officer J. Edward Jones, for the past twenty years coach man for J. $. Elton and one of the best known colored gentlemen in Waterbury, had a thrilling experience i'll the base ment of the building formerly occupied by Malone & Cooley, printers, last night. where Fabin McKinnie, com monly known as .Colonel," and hay ing the reputation of being the best man in town with a whitewaSh brush, has just opened a pool room. 'Col- onel' McKinnie is q brOther-in-laW or Supernumerary Jones. and on meeting the officer yesterday he extended him an invitation to drop in and see his place at 204 Bank street. Mir Jones called at the postoffice last night and as usual then walked down Bank street as far as the Prichard block and stood at the corner of Bank and Grand streets admiring the new block, when he noticed the light across the way in Mckinnie'S new pool room and decided to step in and see what it looked like. On entering he was accosted by a col ored man named Stanley Thorne. After exchanging a few words about the place. Jones remarked to Ihofne that if the place should be conducted properly it might pay, but if anything should be attempted contrary to law the police would soon get onto it and clean it out This angered Thorne and in naughty tone he informed Jones that he'd like to see the cop that would take anyone out of that place. This surprised Jones. who had never before set his eyes upon Thorne, and he final ly asked him if he belonged there, and was informed that he did not, that he was on the bum. Jones says tie fel- low also called him vile name and that he simply told him not to say that any more, when Thorne picked up chair and struck him with it on the head. Not being armed and consider ing discretion the better part of yalor, Jones turned towards the front door and was about to rush into the street when Thorne blocked his way, and then Jones made rush for the rear door with Thorne close at his heels. When he reached the back door he found it locked and then he wheeled short and tried to get past Thorne and make his escape through the Bank street door. but his assailant was too quick for him and forced him into dark corner of the room. and then com menced a struggle for life, during which the badge which Jones had pinned on his breast saved him from serious injuries if not sure death. After a fierce encounter Jones broke away and headed for the front door and succeeded in getting onto the sidewalk despite the efforts of Thorne to head him off. He pursued him some dis tance from the door, but finally gave up the chase and returned to the pool room.
 When MT Jones recovered from the shock he noticed that his light over coat was cut from q point under the left arm clear out across his chest, and on removing this he noticed that the dress coat was cut too. Further exam ination showed that the weapon had struck against the supernumerary' badge, thus preventing any serious in- jury.
 Thorne was arrested this forenoon by Supernumeraries Hickey and Jones. He was found iii the place where the assault took place and showed fight when Officer Hickey spoke to him. Hickey brandished his sandbag and threatened to do him up if he offered fO resist. and seeing himself cornereG he concluded to accompany the officers to the police station without making any trouble. ThOTne is low sized, stout. and is said to be something Of q fighter. Jones is well known about town and bears a good reputation.