The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-06-02
KILLED WHILE
TRYING ESCAPE
Tony Winsch Shot Dead by His
Guard, Whom He Tried
to Kill.

DeaIn was the penalIy paid by
Tony q. Winsch, a military convict.
this morning at Fort Smelling as a
result of an attempt upon the life
of sentinel.
Winsch was trying to escape. He
was shot by the man he had attempt
ed to hurl to death from the bridge
connecting the military reservation
but two minutes after the fatal shot
was fired. The sentinel shot him with
"Krag,' 80 caliber regulation rifle,
the bullet, passing entirely thru the
convict's body.
Winsch, in company with fellow
prisoner, Kelley Of the Nineteenth in
fantry, was working about the grounds
yate Kennedy was on sentinel duty
near by. The attempt at escape had
evidently been premeditated. Watch-
Ing favorable moment, the men
screened themselves from view be-
| hind building and moment later,
! taking advantage Of the sentinel's
turned head, bolted for liberty across
the bridge. Kelley was soon over
taken by Kennedy and arrested. Not
having time to take Kelley back to
the prison, Kennedy compelled him
to join him in the pursuit Of Winsch.
By this time Winsch had gained a
good lead. After crossing the bridge
he took refuge In Harris saloon on
the st. Paul side Of the river.
A Vicious Attack.
A sergeant happened to be near
and accompanied Kennedy on his
/ search for Winsch The ESCAPED con-
Wet was found In the saloon and. with
Kelley and the sentinel, started back
to the fort. The men went peaceably
l and Kennedy was suspicious. While
the trio was near the center, Of the
bridge, on the fort side Of the river,
Winsch and Kelley suddenly attacked
Kennedy and attempted to hurl him
from the bridge to what would have
been instant death on the rocks be-
low. Realizing his danger, Kennedy
managed to wrench himself free from
his assailants and ran a few steps
away from them. Winsch turned to
make another run across the bridge,
but had gone only few feet when
Kennedy drew down on him with the
Z rifle. Winsch refused to stop run
ming when ordered to halt, and Ken
nedy fired. Winsch plunged headlong
to the planking of the bridge and lay
I still. Kelley ran toward the fort and
! took refuge in a lumber pile, from
which he was taken later and locked
2 up.
Kennedy approached Winsch and
, found that he was mortally wounded
! The bullet had penetrated his back
! and had passed clear thru his body
> The wounded man was unconscious
= The shot attracted attention to the
affair from the fort, but before any
;. one could arrive Winsch was dead
4 His body was moved to the for
. morgun and will be turned over tt
relatives if claimed.
: He Was Dad Man,
Winsch was regarded as a "bat
man" in army circles. He had beer
: tried upon charges no less than sever
times in the last year, and at hi
last trial was dishonora bly, discharged
q and sentenced to three months a
= hard labor in the prison. He was dis
- charged from the Thirtieth battery
: field artillery. Kelley, his compan
ion III the attempted escape, is doint
time as a result of a conviction upoi
a charge Of desertion.
Colonel Williams made searchin,
" investigation of the affair this morn
ing, and while he has not made al
- official report, no blame of any kline
70 would seem to attach to Kennedy
q Winsch was known to be a danger
- Gus character, and the sentinel will
= p1 obably never be nearer death thai
~ he was when the two desperate pris
~ oners attempted to hurl him over tn
~ bridge railing. Kelley will probabl
be called upon to face a court-martia
as s. result Of his completely in tn
attempted escape and attack upon tn
sentinel.