Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1904-02-11
CITY OFFICER IS STABBED
Edgar Chiles Wounds John Pat
rick With q Cheese Knife.

Probably the most sensational
tragedy that ever occurred in Grants
Pass, happened ON Monday, when
Edgar Chiles, orazed with liquor,
stabbed John Patrick, acting as day
marshal, with a cheese knife from his
fathers grocery,
Chiles was drinking and, as is Gus
tomary with him when in that condi-
tion, was extremely quarrelsome.
The residence of his father, j. M.
Chiles, is in the same building as the
grocery, and during the noon hour
young Chiles started in to clean out
the establishment. Ho smashed win
dows and dishes, broke the furniture
and created q small reign of terror by
his violent acts and Threatening Ian
guage. His mother, seeing passer-
by ran out to ask him to go for tho
marshal, when Edgar, armed with the
cheese knife, came out also, making
demonstrations with the knife and
threatening murder, bat finally allow
cd the passarby to go uumolestod.
Chiles then went up the street, con
cealing the knife under his coat,
On the sidewalk in tho very middle
of the Front street business block,
Chiles was accosted by Patrick who
demanded of him what it was he had
under his coat. Chiles. with a tor
rent of profanity, replied that it was
a knife, and lunged furiously at Pat.
rick's breast with the weapon, but
his foot slipped and the knife glanced,
otherwise he would probably have
killed the officer then and there,
Chiles cut ard thrust several times
rapidly and furiously. One cut
severed tho little finger from Pat
rick's right hand and the last thrust
took effect in tho right side Of his
abdomen, the knife penetrating to a
depth of about six inches. As this
thrust was made, Patrick secured the
knife Patrick then walked across
the tracks to the north side Of town
and reached the Firx National bank
corner before his strength failed, He
was taken first to Dr. Stricker's Office
and later to DIR. Van Dykes
Four or five bystanders fell upon
Chiles, overpowering him with dill
Guilty, and took him TO the CITY Jail.
He fought like wild man and had
to be carried in bodily. He was lator
removed to the county jail with
handouts and strong guard of
officers.
As far as can be known at the
present time Patrick. though very
seriously wounded, has a fair pros.
pect for recovery. He was only re-
Gently appointed street commissioner,
which office in Grants Pass carries
with it the duties Of police during the
hours the marshal Is Off duty. lie
has served several previous terms in
the same capacity. Patrick is grand
army man about GO years of age, we'll
known and universally respected.
Edgar Chilos is also Of respected
family, the son of Ex.County Judge
j, NJ. Chiles, one Of our pioneer mer.
chants. Normally he is a straightfor-
ward. quiet and well behaved young
man. but when undor the influence OF
liquor he has carried for some time
the reputation Of baing dangerous
man.
The preliminary examination was
set for I O'Clock p m but was post.
oned until Wednesday at the same
hour. On his appearance before the
Justice at that time Chilcs waived ex-
animation and Is held without bail
until the April torn Of circuit court
still have some gilt edge timber
claims and homestoads-W b. shcr.
man.
A v. Banna rd- Underta krr.