The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-05-20
SOME INCIDENTS
OF COBB'S FLIGHT
Constable Neary Speaks Of His En-
counter With His Murdercus As
sailant--Cobb Fired on the Con-
stable Before He Used the Knife
How Neary Missed Wounding
Cobb.

stable Before He Used the Knife
How Neary Missed Wounding
Cobb.
Since Constable Neary has been able
to he out and talk Of his encounter
with his wild assailant, Nathan cobb,
much light has been shed on the cir
c,lrlstanccs of the happening.
An interesting bit of information Is
that cobb was not only armed with
IL murderous knife, but with a revolver
also. and that before they came close
TO each other. cobb tried to end
Ncarys life with bullets from the
pistol, firing at least two shots before
he climbed the bank leading up to the
railroad tracks. Ncary himself is au-
thority for this, aud he is corroboratetl
by one of the parties who accompanied
him, and who seems to he the only one
who, in the excitement, heard the re-
port of tn" pistol.
Ncary. in relating the stirring story,
says that when Cobb dashed out of the
hut the dogs jumped for him tthc con-
stablc) hut tho delay brief as ii was,
was long enough to allow Cobb to get
a fair start and be off through tho
garden towards the Delaware & Hud-
son railroad. Neary few after cobb
and before they had gone many feet
The latter turned on his pursuer and
fired a shot from his revolver Tho
bullet whizzed by the ear Of Ncary
and sent a thrill through the conSta-
Bile as it sped by.
cobb fired. Neary says, just as he
was about to climb the cmbankment.
By the time he reached the top Of the
bank and started across the railroad
tracks cobb WAS painting from the en-
ertion and run, while Neary had Just
awakened to the chase. Neary realized
this was his opportunity to halt Cobb
and when his asSailant was only
few feet ahead of him the officer. with
revolver in his left hand and his stout
cane in his right hand, shouted to his
aSSailant To surrender. "fll Surren-
der. N%ary," same the surprising reply
of cobb. Indicating that he recognized
his rursuor. cobb at this time was
standing on the railroad track. with
his hands uprai$ed. in an attitude of
surrender. Neary approached him
cautiously He was unable to see cobb
plainly, only the dim outlines of his
form. Noary tiChtened his grip on his
| cane and advanced to Cobb. When he
was almost on top of the old man,
cobb dropped his hand and gave Neary
a wipe across the cheek. The blow
staggered tho constable and it was fol-
lowed by two or three vicious jabS at
Neary's side.
The blow that Cobb gave Ncary
wnen ne struck out with MS knife
staggered the constable. who instinct
lively struck back with his cane. The
blow Tell short. in the darnkess. and
N@ary partly lost his balance and be-
fore he could recover himself cobb
was off again. Ncary changed his re-
vover to his right hand and discharged
il in the direction that he thought
cobb was fleeing. The blaze from the
fourth disc hargc lighted up the dark
ness and Neary could see the bald
head of the old hermit before him
| There was one bullet left, and with his
pistol covering Cobb, Neary snapped
h' trigger. The cartridge failed to
explode. however and this. Neary de-
clares, is the reason that cobb escaped
being killed or at least wounded.
on Saturday, when Ncary was emp
wing his revolver he found uneX-
ploded the cartridge that he relied OH
hating Cobb's flight, and the only en-
planation for its presence is that he
must have inadvertently moved the
cylinder around during the excite
ment and thus threw the loaded shell
out of position.
Since Cobb's flight an examination
has been made of his hut and beside
the door through which he made his
exit an axe was found. and the police
believe that the old hermit stood on
guard with this weapon in his hands
ready to WELD in case the door was
broken in upon him.
No move other than the steps already
taken has ben made to apprehend
Cobb. 1t is known that he Is hiding
with his relatives in Greenfield town
ship but in order to avert trouble
Chief M"Andrew is bding his time to
tack Cobb.
Twice last week. the most recent
visit being Saturday, Cobb's hut was
visited by his half brother, Jess
Cobb, who on each occasion took away
some belongings of the fugitive.
Among the articles was a Satchel
which together with other goods WAS
supposedly taken to Chbb.