The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1902-10-16
SHOT By Am OFFICER
Unruly Tramp is Seriously Hurt
by a Constable.


city had an encounter with tramps
Friday afternoon at Evans. Oficer
Ruggenberg was compelled to use his
gun in self defense and as a result a
man who says his name is Lewis Sny'
der and residence Beatrice, Nebraska
lies at the county Jail shot through the
liver and possibly fatally hurt.
officer John Ruggenberg had a
brush with the tramps earlier in the
day. A fellow of decidedly suspicious
appearance was attempting to sell
some overcoats and lady's fur col
larette. A warrant for the man was
placed in the hands of the constable
and he attempted to arrest him. When
he found him he was not sure that he
had the right man, and, approaching
him saw the collarette under his coat
He pushed back the coat with the re.
mark, Here, what have you there
You are under arrest"
The fellow drew back from the OFF,
Ger and with a curse made motion as
IL to draw a gun from his pocket,
whereupon Ruggenberg, who has had
one unpleasant and almost fatal ex-
perience by letting man get the drop
on him, promptly knocked the tramp
down with his club and had no further
trouble with him. The fellow was in
company with two other tramps who
had been about the town drinking and
the officer started to put them under
arrest also. They demanded, What
for?" declaring that they had done
nothing. Ruggenberg answered that
if they had done nothing it would be
easily shown after the examination
had been made and no harm would
come of it. The men resisted arrest
successfully, declaring that no one
could arrest them and showing a de-
cidedly ugly spirit.
Ruggenberg phoned to this city for
assistance, calling upon Officer An
drews of Squire Rice's court. An
drews responded Immediately, taking
Chas. Briney with him to the seat of
the trouble. The three men set out
Immediately in quest of he tramps.
They were found at the side of the
Rock Island road east of Evans sta
ton and they had been drinking beer
from a "growler." When the officers
approached the tramps became dem
onstratiYe, declaring that they would
not be arrested. One fellow, the one
who was shot, made for the officers
with knife in his hand and threaten
ed them, stating that he would kill
them. Andrews was left with the
prisoner arrested by Ruggenberg earl
Ter in the day and he Immediately
handcuffed the fellow. The Evans
officer went to Justice Hume and OBJ
tanned a warrant charging assault
with intent to commit murder. While
Ruggenberg was going for a warrant
the tramps made a demonstration
against Andrews in an attempt to re-
lease the prisoner, They made all
manner of threats, telling the one ar
rested they had come to release him
and the like. When Ruggenberg re-
turned another attempt was made to
arrest the fellow who had drawn the
knife. He became furious and brand
ishing the knife again started for the
officers yelled that no one could arrest
him. He would kill them both or they
would kill him. He would die in his
tracks before they could arrest
him. Constable Ruggenberg warned
the fellow to halt He continued to
come forward acting in crazy man
ler. In slashing about with the open
blade of the knife hegrasped bunch
u hair and cut it from his head close
" grazing the scalp with the blade
and at another moment he almost cut
ais own throat The officer cried halt
several time and was not obeyed. He
then fired in the direction ofthe tramp
shooting above his head. Again he
cried halt and shot second time
above the fellows head. The man was
now rushing the officers, knife in hand
and determination showing in every
line of his face. Ruggenberg cried,
Stop there, halt, or I'll let you have
It this time. Halt. Stop" The tramp
was now within ten feet of the officers
and paid no attention to their warn
ings. Ruggenberg shot to hit this
time and the tramp fell forward upon
the ground. He was picked up and,
lighting and resisting, was carried to
Andrews buggy to be brought to the
city. When he had been placed in
the carriage he sprang upon Officer
Andrews from the seat and bore him
down. Ruggenberg used his club
again but with little effect and a
couple of miners who were standing
near Joined in and belabored the fell
low severely. Re was frally quelled
and placed in the buggy, fighting,
struggling and threatening. I'm get
put of this" he said, "and then I'll lay
for both of you fellows. I'll get you,
TOO" AS the team brought the party
nearer the city the man who was suf-
gering intensely with his wound be-
came frantic and like a wild animal.
He seemed to have no reason but pos
;essed super human strength. 1t was
next to impossible to restrain him
even in irons. When near the jail
tho man grabbed his clothing in his
teeth and tore parts Of it away, and
N other ways deported himself like
,,apiao THE officers state that the