Omaha daily bee., 1902-12-08
TOUCHS FINALLY SUBDUED
Livery Stable in Humboldt the Scene Of a
Bloody ARRAY.
NIGHT wATcHMAN IS SEVERELY BEATEN
Marshal Puts in I'm Appearance ana
with the Aid of His Son Puts
the Rowdies Out of Com
mission,

HUMBOLDT, Neb., Dec 1.-(Spectal1--
Most of the Humboldt people upon arising
this morning we're surprised to learn that
the city had been the scene during the
night time Of a bloody scrap. Az result
one Of the officers Of the city is laid up
with severe and perhaps dangerous in
iuries, after having a narrow escape from
a violent death. and two toughs are Ian
gushing in the city Jail, awaiting a trial
on some very severe charges. The ARRAY
occurred at the Snow livery barn about
IL o'clock Saturday night and the prin-
cipal offenders were William and Ed Early,
two young farmers with an unenvlable
reputation, who filled up on bad liquor
and were out looking for trouble. They
came into the barn and attempted to pick
quarrel with the young man who is
staying there, the latter being a brother
ln-law Of the Early boys. Dad" Turner,
who drives the bus to the trains, had
Just returned from e trip, and as he holds
the position OF night watch, attempted to
quiet the offenders with disastrous re-
suits. Both of them. attacked him, one In
front and the other from the rear, and
after they all became mixed up one OF
the toughs kicked the officer about the face
and head. In the struggle one Of the Early
boys drew a knife and made an attempt
to slash Turner across the throat, but was
seen by Walter Billings, who ran up and
kicked the knife from the hands Of the
wouldbe murderer. Some outside help ar
rived in time to rescue Turner, who was
taken home in a badly bruised condition
The desperadoes stood off the crowd bv
brandishing knives, after knocking down
Tom Allen, one OF the bystanders. who had
been attracted by the noise Of the scrap
using for the purpose a neckyOke. Allen
was only given some severe bruises and a
light scalp wound.
Marshal Settles Them.
In the meantime someone had sent word
to the city marshal, Captain Grinstead.
who arrived on the scene shortly, accom-
panied by his son Ben, a strapping young
six-footer. No sooner did the Earlys spy
the newcomers than they made a dash for
them, attempting to use a heavy leaden
slungshot and their knives. The officer
had not come prepared to parley and there
fore began work with loaded cane, ably
assisted by his son, but not until Ed had
been beaten into insensibility and win
was laid out on the floor Of the barn with
blood gushing from a half dozen scalp
wounds, would they desist from their muir
derous attempts.
For a time It was thought that Ed had
been killed, but after about thirty minutes
work he was restored to consciousness and
the two brothers we're removed to the city
Jail and locked in separate cells for the
night. The floor of the barn resembled a
slaughterhouse, great pools of frozen blood
being yet in evidence this morning.
This morning the two prisoners we're In
badly battered condition, still greatly
stupehed by their debauch, and not appear
ing to realize the seriousness of theiI
situation. The county attorney has beer
| notified and Il is not yet Known exactly
| what the charge against them will be. The
| marshal announces his determination tC
prosecute for assault with intent to xii
and for resisting an officer.
Both Of the offenders have long beer
known as desperate characters. Both ar,
married and have families and are vel
known in this section. William is an olt
| offender here and has been Jailed numerous
times on minor charges. Ed has been ava,
| several years and came back only a few
months ago from Horton, Kan, and hal
been working for a farmer in this section
ever since. Both are a menace to soclet,
so long as they are permitted to remail
at large.
Dad" Turner, the nightwatch, was thi
morning resting quietly at his home, an
while suffering considerably still feels lik
congratulating himself upon escaping witt
his life from such an assault InasmucI
| as he is a man 70 years OF age It ma
well be considered miraculous. Marsha
Grinstead has learned since the scrap tina
Ed Early is wanted by the Kansas oficer
and has communicated with them.