The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1901-01-18
Po0RMARKsMANsHIP
Elmer ]. GoOden Owes His Life to
Guns in the Hands Of NOYices.
Yves Under Arrest ter Passing Worthless
Cheek and Escapes from an Omcer
Midst = Shower Of Bullstss None
OF which Took Eject.

Eleven shots from FeVOlVerS IN the
hands Of H N Sehen and Charley Col
lier failed to penetrate the intended
mark late Saturday night at the depot
Elmer J. GoOden, who claimed to be a
horse buyer for the government, was
the target at which SO many bullets
figured and he vas making q dash for
liberty when the sho yer Of lead fol-
loved. SeheH, who was acting as de-
putty sheriff, insists that two OF his
shots took effect but Collier says his
bullets penetrated the atmosphere and
were ouly intended to brighten the
fleeing man, who made good his escape.
Elmer J~GoOden is the name Of the
man who escaped with his life midst
the hot fire. At least that is the name
he used when he registered at the Com
mereiaI last Friday. giving Kansas City
as his residence. He represented that
he was advance agent for a regular
army captain Of the quartermaster's
department Of the army and came
here TO buy horses. To some persons,
however, he gave his occupation as
d
for q local paper. This is no doubt his
real occupation as be had a travelling
card issued By the Kansas City Typo
graphical union which he showed to
number Of persons.
Shortly after his arrival in Goodland-
Gooden made the acquaintance of H.
n. SeheIl, iYerymsn, and to him he
gave the song Of horse buyer for the
government. Schell showed him some
horses and introduced him to farmers
and others during his stay here of two
days.
Gooden examined a number of horses
which the owners were willing to sell
to the government and he would
comment on the animals defects or
fine points as the case might be. From
his judge Of horses many grew suspi-
cioUs and did not believe that he vas
what he claimed to be, but he insisted
that an army officer would be along in
few days to buy the stock and he was
ssonly the contracting agent.
GOoden had IN his possession draft
for a large amount on Salina bank
and with this he made quite a bluff
Saturday night be called on B. f.
Brown, Of the GOodland City Bank,
and wanted Mr.. Brown go to the bank
and draw a sight draft on the Salina
bank. Mr.. Brown refused. GOoden's
scheme was to have Brown advanced
him part on the no doubt fraudulent
paper, and then skip the town.
But what Gooden was arrested foUI
vas the passing OF q cheek for SO on
Pat Culiins. S6hell introduced the
bogus horse man to Collins and be got
Cullins to let him have So on the check
which was drawn on Salina bauk A
little while after the transaction Cul- |
Inns concluded that he had been bun |
coed and requested Sheriff Walker to |
arrest the man. Search was made by
the sheriff but no trace of him could be |
found. Walker deputized ScheIl, who /
joined in the search, to arrest the-horse !
man if he could be found. Schell went |
to the railroad yards and after thor |
ough investigation be went to the Depot
hotel Co await the arrival of the trains 4
as he thought that Gooden would try 4
to get away on one Of them. ScheI |
fell asleep in a chair, but not before he
told Charley Collier, the night clerk, to
awaken him if the horse man appeared. !
Just before the arrival Of the west
bound passenger Gooden entered the
lunch room and ordered a lunch. After
waiting upon him Collier went to the \
hotel Office and informed Sohen that
his man vas in the lunch room. ScheIl +
approached Gooden and in the stereO-
typed form told him that he was under
arrest Gooden appeared to submit to
the demand and asked permission to.
finish his lunch, which was given.
Sehel commanded that he 60 with him
and opened the doorof the lunch room
that faces to the south. Instead OF
following the officer Gooden dsrted
into the dining room Of the hotel snd
through to the Office. Schen gave
pursuit and reached the Office stimuli
tsneously. Gooden was urged to ae-
company the officer, but refused. He
doubted Schell's authOrity and de-
manded papers. In the meantime
soheli sent 3 haekman up town for the
sheriff.
0At this point Of the later dramatic
scene. GoodenRaIksd out dosEs, Seheu
following him They both stood In the
sntrance to the hotel awaiting develop
ments, when all Of q sudden Gcodea
broke and ran. Schen called Co him to
halt but BE paid no attention 20 the
demand and continued to run up past
the depot Seheli drew his gun. I've
shooter and enptisd the weapon st she