Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1902-06-02
ASSAULTED WITH KNIFE
James Ellis Dangerously Wound.
ed by Tom Gather in Sa.
loon Row.
Ellis Refused to Sell Assailant
a Drink Because He Is
Keelyite.
Two Severe Wounds Inflicted in
the Side and Leg-.-Cather
in Jail.

lis. bartender at Gustav Biermann's
North First avenue saloon, lies at his
home, 1O4 South Sixth street, suffering
from two serious wounds made by a
knife in the hands of Tommy" Gather,
a painter living at sos East Linn
street. AS result Ellis may be a Grip
pie for life, or possibly may die.
The cutting ARRAY occurred at about
drunk and staggered into the Biermann
saloon and called upon Ellis for a
drink. Ellis replied that he could not
sell him, intending to imply by his
manner that he could not sell 10 him
under the law, because of his having
taken the Kelly cure, and again be-
cause he was already under the in
fluence of liquor. Gather became abu-
sive and Ellis ordered him ou. of the
place The drunken man refused to
go and told Ellis he couldn't put him
out. 1t was just this thing that the
bartender attempted and before he was
aware Of the presence of knife Cath
er had whipped out new weapon
with the small blade already open, and
was slashing right and left lcllis fell
to the floor dazed with pain, ard called
to Jake Snyder. who had witnessed
the entire affair, but who had hardly
time to realize its serious turn, to go
for a doctor, as he had been cut.
Snyder went Immediately for assis-
lance and returned with two physi-
clans, who temporarily dressed the
injured mans wounds. He was later
removed to his home In an ambulance.
Gather gave himself up directly after
the stabbing to City Marshal Jones
Deputy Marshal Cochran and Officer
Hanson, who We're on their way to the
scene of the crime. The deputy mar
shall took him to jail and also took
charge of the knife.
Wounds Are Serious.
Two of Ellis wounds are serioua
while a third is hardly more than a
scratch. Gathers knife was a new one
that he had purchased at cost of 81
at a nearby hardware store not more
than five minutes before the stabbing
1t is hard to tell just which one Of the
wounds is the more serious. The
largest one is on the left leg, three
inches above the knee. The leg is
almost severed, the cash extending
more than half way around All of
the muscles and tendons of the anter-
ior surface were severed and the bone
was laid bare for six or seven inches
Had the blade gone few inches
further around the main artery of tho
leg would have been cut, and the man
would have bled to death in five min
utes. The other serious wound is five
and one-half inches in length on the
left side, beginning at point one nalf
inch below the nipple, between the
sixth and seventh ribs, and extend
ing to point under the arm pit.
Luckily the blade did not enter the
pleural cavity, altho it did cut to the
pleural membrane.
Was after" Another.
1t appears from what can he learned
of the affair that Gather was. not "af-
ter" Ellis, but instead bought his knife
ito get" as he expressed himself, COL
ored porter named Pearl Harris, in the
employ of Frederick & McGcogan. His
luminosity toward the negro, it seems,
was engendered because of The recent
labor agitation in organizing a bar
tenders union, but their carl was af-
forwards taken from them because both
the proprietors We're engaged as their
own bartenGers, and therefore not ell
gible. Gather is said to be Il strong Ia
Dor union man and had it sin" for the
colored man Harris because he was
working in a so-called "scab" bar
room. He had threatened to get" Har-
ris, and shortly before going to the
Bierman saloon for drink called AT
the Mcnamara saloon, apparently
looking for Harris, who is also dong
porter work in that saloon.
Says He Remembers Nothing.
Gather was seen in his cell this after
noon by T.-R. representative, who in
CURED if he had anything to say con-
corning his crime. Gather was fairly
sobered up, having just awakened after
forenoon's sleep. He appeared sur
prised to know that he was concerned
in any trouble, and with an appeal to
the newspaper man and Sheriff Shoe
maker asked what was the matter and
what he had done. When informed hat
he had seriously cut James Ellis Gather
seemed shocked, and at once said,
well. there is nothing serious is
there? He's not going to die?' Gather
asked for recital of the facts, espe-
cially concerning Ellis condition, and
indicated by his questions that he re-
membered nothing whatever of the
trouble.
Ellis Resting Easily.
Ellis, the wounded man, is resting
easily this afternoon. He experienced
considerable difficulty in breathing,
owing to the relaxation from the shu:k,
but that trouble is being overcome
There is probably a little more danger
of the wound on the leg proving more
serious than the one in the side. Tie
cutting of the tendons may cause the
leg to become stiff and cause Ellis to be
a cripple for life. If infection sets in.
there may be more danger from the
wound in the side, because of its proX-
unity to the heart.
To Be Arraigned Tuesday.
Gather will be arraigned tomorrow,
probably in Mayor Jones court. There
has been no warrant issued for his ar
rest as yet. He will probably be charged
with assault with intent to commit
murder Gather and Ellis are both mar
ried men.
Was He "Next?'
h- +,,a ras,,lt Of a rarSonal encOlInte r