The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1901-03-05
sSHOT BY A
CONSTABLE
A Supposed Thief Dies
With His Boots on.
AN EXCITING man HUNT
Nerve Displayed - 0uickness
Of Alleged Robbers Matched
by the Officers Pluck.

by the Otttcoro FIuck.
Claysville. Pa, March IA dead rob- |
ber lies in Campsey's undertaking
rooms here this morning, while his
companion is in the county jail at
Washington.
Some time last night the residence
of DR.. James N. Sprouts was entered
and robbed Of about 500. Later in the
night the residence of r. G.. Porter was
entered and robbed. At this place the
robbers, two or three in number, went
over the house, securing gold watch,
gold rings and other jewelry belonging
to Mrs. Porter, valued at more than
$100. In the search a fiat pocketbook
belonging to Mr.. Porter was overlooked.
It was lying on a dresser and contained
in checks and money almost $4,000.
Mr. Porter before retiring had laid out
clothing, intending to take an early
train for Pittsburg, and even his shoes,
necktie and eyeglasses were taken.
Both robberies were reported imme-
diately to Constable John Neely,- who
started an investigation. A farmer
named Potter hearing of the robberies,
told of having seen smoke coming from
an old empty tenant house near the
cemetery. Constable Nicely in company
with John Shepperd and Roy Porter, a
son of r. G. Porter, went to the house,
and Constable Nicely after first rap
ping on the door, walked in.
Two men sat before fire in an old
cook stove and seemed to have been
asleep, as they did not rise on the en-
trance of the visitor. Nicely picked up
two big revolvers lying on an overcoat
on the floor, before the men had time
to reach for them. Backing out of the
house with the revolvers pointed at the
men, Nicely ordered them to follow him
outside.
: STRUCK WITHOUT WARMING.
Without a word one of the men got
up, folded his hands across his breast
and walked outside. Nicely kept him
well covered with the revolver, but with
a quick movement the apparently will
ing prisoner jumped at the officer, and
struck him a terrific blow across the
face with jimmy. The first blow was
being followed by a second when Con-
stably Neely began firing. The second
bullet struck the man in the left breast,
near the heart, and he dropped dead
with cry.
The other man ran from the house
u oAu h Ou ~
peatedly at the constable, but did not
hit him. Constable Nicely and Shepperd
examined the PROSTATE man to assure
themselves that he was dead, and then
returned to town. The blow which
Neely received was hard one, and he
was badly cut and bruised, but his
wounds are not of serious nature
The body of the dead robber was
brought to town and carefully examin.
ed. Among the things found in his
pockets were lot of burglars tools, {
bottle of nitroglycerin, dynamite caps
gold watch and other articles.
SECOND MAN CAPTURED.
In the meantime young Porter ant
John Shepperd started In buggy II
the direction of Taylorstown, hoping Il
and the dead mans companion. WheI
out of town but q short distance the OBJ
Iect of their search was seen hurryinl
along the road and keeping close to tn
fence corners. When he saw the rig h
started to run, but in a few minute
hesitated, stopped and waited for tb
men to overtake him. He asked then
what they wanted, and when told go
into the buggy at once and came bacl
10 town with them. Constable Neel
Identified him and he was locked uI
When he saw the buggy following hin
ne threw away revolver, which wa
,ound later and brought to town.
The prisoner gave his mama as Ed
ward Churchhill.- He said his dea
companion was John Kennedy, of AT
lantic City, N. J. Several letters wer
found in the pockets Of the dead mar
and in one of them was a statemen
that Kennedy had deposited 81 900 in
bank In New York City in the name {
his wife, Rose Kennedy. A telegrai
was sent to the woman. The prisone
Rays his name is Quinn and tells man
conflicting stories. It Is a questio
whether or not the dead man and HI
companion committed the robberit
last night, as nothing was found o
sither man to show they were the GU
psits. The coroner's jury rendered
verdict to the effect that Kennedy car
10 his death at the hands Of Constab
Nicely while the latter was In the di
charge of his duty, and exonerated II
constable from blame.
INAUGURAL ADDRESS