Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-02-12
TEAM In HIS POSSESSION
Succumbs to Effects of Injuries
During the Night.
CORNERS JURY EXONERATES MEN
Efforts to Identity the Deceased Prove
Unsuccessful Thought to Have
Come From the Vicinity of Edna
Mo.-Horses Recovered by Sheriff.

| iSit Vie NISIUIIy OF EuInd
Mo.-Horses Recovered by Sheriff.
Bloomfield, Feb. 7-(SpeciaD-W
his arm shattered by bullet from the
guns of the officers of the law but still
apparently ready to fight until he was
brought down by bullet which
struck him in the temple, an unknown
man accused of stealing a team of
horses near Greensburg, No. was
yesterday afternoon captured by the
Deputy Sheriff Cox and Constable
Frank Rominger, about two miles
south of Bloomfield With the bull
let lodged in his head the man was
brought to Bloomfield and placed in
the county Jail where he had medical
attendance, but about IL o'clock last
night he died never having regained
consciousness.
The verdict of the coroner's jury
rendered this morning completely
exonerated the officers and declared
that the victim came to his death as
the result of gun shot which was
received while resisting arrest.
Sheriff Clark of Scotland county,
Missouri, who came to this city last
evening for the two horses, was I'M
able to give any light upon the iden-
tity of the dead man. Word received
from Greensburg today states that
since the man is dead no steps will
be taken by the authorities to have
his remains returned to that place.
The shooting was the result of what
is believed here to have been deter
mined effort on tho part of the man.
who was at the time riding one of the
stolen horses and leading the other,
to resist arrest.
Warned by Telephone.
1t is stated that about II O'Clock
yesterday morning Deputy Sheriff Cox
received telephone message from
Stiles informing him of horse theft
which had occurred in Scotland coun.
ty, Mo-, and stating that the robber
was headed with the animals in the
direction of Bloomfield The sheriff
from Memphis had caught the trail
and was following the unknown rob-.
Der closely and asked that the officers
of Davis county assist him in his an.
prehension.
Answered Description.
Shortly after noon Deputy Sheriff
Cox, in company with Frank Romin.
ger, left Bloomfield to make search
for the escaping horse thief, taking
the road south from Bloomfield in the
! direction of Stiles. When about four
miles south of the city they came up
on stranger, who had in his posses
sion two horses. At the time the Off.
GERS met him he was riding one OF
the horses and leading the other. Aft
er carefully observing the stranger
they decided that he answered the de
scription given by the Missouri sher
if and at once took steps to effect his
capture.
Affected Surprise.
AS the officers came close to the
horseman, it is stated that the off.
GERS covered him with a gun and de.
manded that he surrender and dis
mount. However, in answer to this
command, it is stated that the rider
merely asked what this meant and
demanded that the officers read their
warrant and at the same time he slow
ly removed his glove and slipped his
right hand into the breast pocket of
his overcoat.
Being again informed that he was
under arrest, instead of yielding, it is
stated that the man attempted to dis
mount on the opposite side of his
horse from the officers. This move
however, was anticipated by Marshal
Rominger, who was quickly out of
his vehicle and again had the man
covered. Evidently seeing that he had
gained no advantage the rider quickly
mounted his horse and again thrust
his hand into his overcoat pocket as if
for weapon.
Words Precede Shots.
AS the man stubbornly refused to
comply with the demands of the off.
GERS, Sheriff Cox ordered him to throw
up his hands, informing him that un.
less he removed his hand from con
cealment he would be shot. To this
the horseman, failed to comply only
requesting the officers again to read
the warrant for his arrest.
Play of Bullets.
AS the rider continued to refuse to
comply with the commands of the Off
GERS and was momentarily getting
more ugly and defiant it is stated that
Deputy Sheriff Cox fired, the bullet
taking effect in the upper part of the
arm, afterwards it was found, break
ing the bone. As the mans hand fell
from its concealment 1t is stated that
in the grasp of the hand was held a
forty-four calibre revolver. Being UNI
conscious of the effect the first .sbnt