The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1905-06-30
across the border. The gasoline launch
was chartered to bring over party Of
about fifty from Orleans that came by
the 500 to Emerson.
A Possible Circus Tragedy.

b ~ "A POSSIBLE C1ICuS Tragedy.
In response to telegram from the
circns manager, the section crew of the
N. F. in this city were sent to Macarthur,
eight miles from here. to pick up a
negro man who was reported as having
fallen from the outgoing circus train on
Tuesday evening. The man was found
lying near the track about mile this
side of Macarthur and was brought to
this city, and cared for by the county
authorities at the poor house. DR.. Har-
ris found the man suffering from contu-
sion over the eye, and from conclusion
of the brain.
The injured man recovered sufficiently
to tell story of which the following are
the main facts. He had been an en-
ploye: of the circus, but having been i'll
and unfit for work was, in company with
about dozen others, discharged and
paid off at this place. He claims that the
management kept back twenty-five dol
lars which he wished to try and collect
and therefore resolved to follow the
show to the Forks.
In pursuance of this object he jumped
on the train when it left this city about
7:30 in the evening. While on the top
of the high wagons, under a tarpaulin, he
was discovered by two of the foremen
and was assaulted by them with their
fists and rope and ordered to Jump
from the moving train. He refused to
do this but said he would get off if they
would stop the train, or would get off at
the next stop the tain made. He
claims that they would not stop, but
pushed him of the train backwards
while it was running rapidly, and he fell
to the ground receiving the severe IN
juries described.
He made this statement to Justice
Aylen and also made a sworn complaint
and a warrant was issued for the arrest
OF the two foremen, and placed in the
hands of Sheriff Atkinson who left on
Wednesday afternoon for Grand Forks
10 arrest the men described in the COM
plant. The names of the assailants as
given by the negro, are Harry Sells and
Joe Miller.
DR.. Harris reports the condition OF the
negro as very serious, but unless other
possible complications ensue, he will re-
cover.
Even if the story of the negro is strict
ly true, it would be hard for him to
prove it, as there were no other wit
nesses, and the employees of the show
will probably tell different story.
AS the negro tells the story, If he can
prove it, not only will the men who
assaulted him be in bad predicament
for criminal assault with intent to kill
but the management of the circus would
very likely be in for big damage suit
on civil action. And if the negro
should die then the situation would be
still more serious for all concerned-and
perhaps Pembina county will be in tor
an expensive murder trial in the bar
gain.
The injured man gives his name as
Dan Hines, says he is from North Caro-.
lima and has no relatives but gives the
name and address OF friend in Cincln-
natl.
Sheriff Atkinson returned from Grand
'orks yesterday, but the men had disap-
peared, and though he had the assist
ance OF Grand Forks officials and of the
railroad, no trace OF them could be
found. The fact that the man had been
thrown Oft the train and supposed to be
killed, was known by everybody on the
circus train by the time they arrived at
Drayton. The show is travelling east
and goes to Little Falls and Duluth
next.