The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-06-03
He Had -Four Deep Clashes ON His
Head and Bullet wound
in His Leg.
SHOOTING CRAPS IN OPEN AIR
PATROLNAN COUk IMPRESSED
SEVERAL MEN TO ARREST HIM.
The Affair Cnused Great Exciteme m {
Near lie Grande Avenue and
Churchman Pike.

Louis Taylor. colored. living at 1717 Lock-
wood street, tried yesterday about II
o'clock to get away from Patrolman Couk,
who wanted him and dozen others for
participating i'm a crap game in the com
mons, near lie Grande avenue and Church
man pike.
The attempt proved disastrous for Tay
lor. for in making an effort TO escape. he
ran through or over barbed wire and other
fences, was cut about the head, assaulted
with rocks and clubs, and shot in the leg
The pursuit of Taylor was exciting. lie
was chased by Patrolman Couk, three
young men who said they were brothers
Chris. William and Henry Bowman-and a
large number OF boys ranging in age from
eight TO fifteen years.
All OF the other gamesters got away.
COuk saw them at play on the commons
and tried to get to them without being
seen. Taylor was, the patrolman said,
playing when il was his turn to roll the
bones" and acting lookout the rest of
the time. The others engaged in the game
were much younger.
SAYS HE WAS A SPECTATOR.
Taylor claimed not to have had any part
in the game, acting only as a spectator. He
ran with the rest, however, when Couk APP
peared. He started south on the road and
Couk, who, on account of a disabled knee
was unable to catch him afoot, jumped into
a buggy and followed him for several
squares. Taylor then left the road and
went over in the commons. Couk
got out of the buggy and when
starting toward Taylor saw three
young men, the Bowman brothers. Two of
them had bicycles and he asked them to
assist in catching Taylor. The young men
consented and the chase began. Taylor
ran here and there, pursued by the three
young men and a large crowd of boys who
joined in.
The pursuers kept gaining on Taylor.
yelling all the time for him to stop. He said
they threatened to kill him if he did not
halt and that they claimed the patrolfnan
had told them to bring him back dead or
alive. He said he did not believe the police
mda said any such thing, as he had COM
mitted no crime. He was finally cornered
by the crowd and then he drew pocket
knife and began slashing at those who at
tempted to take hold of him. During the
close lighting he struck several times
on the head with large rocks. Couk had
been left far behind, but when he came up
Taylor surrendered and was taken to the
City Dispensary i'm the patrol wagon and
then locked up, charged with assault and
battery and gaming.
FOUR DEEP GASHES.
In the Dispensary he was found to have
four deep gashes his head. all of them
being cuts through the scalp; his ear
was cut and on his checks were several
scratches. His face and hands were covered
with blood. The bullet wound in his leg
attracted most attention. He complained OF
great pain. When the wound was examined
il was found that the bullet had pene-
trated the flesh about one inch. There was
a hole through his pants, but instead OF
making a hole in his heavy wooden under
wear the bullet had penetrated the flesh
and drawn the underwear into the hole
without making a hole in the fabric When
DIR. Gray pulled the cloth out the bullet
came with il.
Taylor said he did not know at what time
in the chase he was shot and did not know
who fired the shot. COuk said he did not
know who shot Taylor and he said the
three Bowman brothers each claimed not
TO know who did the shooting. Couk said
he flied two shots early in the chase, but
did not aim at Taylor, only firing to scare
him and attract the attention of some per-
sons who were ahead and who might stop
him. Couk said he thought the bullet wound
had been received sometime before in a
game which had been in progress during
the morning and at another place I'm the
commons. Taylor made complaint of
having been shot until he got into the
patrol wagon.
The pursuit of Taylor attracted a great
deal OF attention In that vicinity and the
crowd of pursuers was being constantly in
creased by boys and young men who saw a
chance for fun.