Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1903-07-01
Defends Himself From Assault oil
intoxicated HoodIums,
SENSATION ATLIBERTY PARK
Policeman who FIRED shot was
Charles Leaker aud his Victim
was william wilson

disturbance at Liberty park resist
Ing and beating an officer who tried 10
arrest him, and then finally receiving a
severe wound from the officers revolver
was the finish Of an afternoons rowdy-
ism yesterday for William Wilson, aged
10 years. residing at 400 West Second
South street. He is nov In the Holy
Cross hospital and his chances for re-
coyery are about even. The policeman
who fired the shot was Charles Leak
er. recently appointed TO a position on
the force, and detailed for duty at LIB
erty park.
ASSAULTED THE OFFICER
The shooting was caused by Wilson's
attack on the officer who tried to arrest
him and three companions who had
been creating a disturbance and throw
ing bottles In the park where several
thousand children were enjoying day
OF sport. When Leaker attempted TO
arrest them they turned on the officer
threw him TO the ground and severely
beat him. one of them striking the Of
hcer on the chin with D bottle and IN
dieting a severe wound. They took the
officers club away. and he was forced
TO draw his revolver for f-prOtection.
Wilson was In the act Of running away
when Leaker fired the shot that
brought his man down and made him
think more OF his folly. Wilson's CONF
panions We're Frank Dayi. age q, l26 n
street. Leonard Doolan, aged 70, Of lS2
4 .t,..at aNH Harlapf IpnWhfDu aye II
OF 30 NJ street.
None of them deny resisting and
beating officer Leaker, but they con-
tend they were doing nothing TO war;
rant arrest,
HOW TROUBLE STARTED
Officer Leaker says he first observed
the gang when they were breaking bot
ties and throwing them into the park
among the children He ordered them
to stop, and said If they did not he
would arrest them. Wilson said he
might arrest him but he could not take
Davi. LeaBer then placed them all UNI
der arrest and marched them TO the
patrol box TO send for the wagon.
While waiting there Wilson remarked
III you fellows are my friends, help
me-" He then struck the officer In the
face and the blow was signal for the
gang to pitch onto Leakcr They
threw him TO the ground and Davl
twisted his club out Of his hand Leak
er was beaten about the face and head
and one OF them said TO be Dayi
struck him on the chin With knife or
bottle and cut the flesh to the bone.
PoLICEMAN's STORY.
II was powerless and was being
pounded to death. said Leaker and
having no help ] reached for my gun
to protect myself. Wilson started to
run and | fred. | ain sorry ! hit the
boy and hope he win recover. but | had
10 protect myself from their assault
As soon as the shot wa, fired, Wilson
sank to the ground and his companions
len the officer and ran to his assis-
lance The shot attracted Sergeant
Hempe and several officers who has
tened to the scene and placed the crowd
under arrest The four were placed In
hack and accompanied by officer Parry
and Officer Leaker were hauled 10 the
police station Wilson was laid cut on
a table and City Physician Stewart
summoned Wilson was still very drunk
and cursed and acted In boisterous
manner Or. Stewart pronounced the
wound serious and tried to probe for
the bullet, but Wilson fought against
H. The wound was dressed and Wilson
was placed on stretcher and taken TO
the Holy Cross hopital In the patrol
wagon Leaker accompanied Or. Stew
art 70 the hospital
BULLET REMOVED.
An operation was at once performed
on Wilson and the bullet removed. II
was found the pelvic bone had been
pierced on the left SIDE by 3S calber
bullet II grazed the pcritoneum and
the spinal cord. II was found lmbedded
I'm the pelvic bone on the right side
Wilson rallied from the operation and
Dr. Stewart said II no complications set
In, his chances for recovery would be
even,
DRESSING THE WOUND.
DR.. Stewart dressed Leakers wound
and II required three stitches toclose up
the gap. The young men who were
companions OF Wilson were held at the
station They an admitted the attack
on Leaker and said they all punched
him. They denied using a knife or bot
tie and say that the cut In Leaker's
chin might have been done with ring
When searched pint bottle Of whisky
was found on Dooan and Dayi The
latter Is regarded by the police as be-
ing a rather tough youth who has
record for lighting Wilson has been
employed by the Crabtree Commission
company County Attorney Westervelt
made an investigation Of the case last
night and recommended that the young
men be placed under $500 bonds each,
Several eyewitnesses TO the affair un-
hesltatlngly declared that officer Leak
er was In danger Of great bodily harm
and that he was perfectly justified In
shooting Wilson. Capt. Burbidge made
a careful inquiry into the facts and also
| .nlL I'M 20 Lnr 40 l llInh MOI