The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-07-31
SHOT HOLES
IN HIS TIRE.
An Evanston Policeman Stops q
Searching Automobiles.
Millionaire Cartwright Speeding
Through the Streets.
ORDERED TO CHECK UP
He Paid No Heed and Shots
Followed.
Prominent Citizens Come to De.
Tense of Policeman.

Chicago, July 31.-The fight between
the Evanston police force and M. H.
Cartwright, the millionaire automobile
ist, whose breakneck pace through the
streets of the north shore town came
to a~sudden end when two revolver bull
lets punctured a tire, came to a head
when all compromises were called off
and Policeman Johnston was arrested
on the charge of assault with a deadly
weapon
Chief Frost stands behind his patrol
man and several prominent citizens of
the town have pledged money for the
engaging of special counsel to defend
Johnston. The fight has become a fight
| not only between Cartwright and the
police force, but between the speeding
automobilist and the whole of Evan
ston.
Three Have Pledged Support.
Three prominent citizens have already
pledged support in writing. E. J. Wright,
92o Judson avenue; H. B. Slaughter,
1919 Ridge avenue, and DR.. NJ. c. Brag-
| don, 1903 Chicago avenue, have each
written to Chief Frost, and thus re-en-
forced the chief of police will fight the
prosecution of Johnston to the end.
H b. Slaughter OF the firm of A. o.
Slaughter. Jr., & Co., stock brokers, 139
Monroe street, Chicago, says:
L desire to commend the act of one
of your officers in forcing obedience to
the ordinances of Evanston by shooting
a hole in the tire of an automobile when
the chauffeur refused to stop when call
| ed upon, after he had violated the speed
| limit. The recklessness of these automo-
bilists on our streets is almost unbear-
able. The constant Sunday watchful-
ness has made vast Improvement in the
speed on Sundays, but during the early
and late hours on week days there is
| persistent violation of the speed limit
| on Ridge avenue, and the rights of the
city and of individuals are ignored. The
/ driving of horses has become so dan
gerOuS because of the presence of auto
mobiles that we who live on Ridge ave-
nue. do not drive more than once week
now, where We used to be out daily
The city council arbitrarily increased
| the speed limit from eight to twelve
hours. in order that there should be no
| hardship to autonobilists in Evanston
! streets, and there would seem to be no
excuse for the continued violation of
the twelve miles speed limit for the few
miles of Evanston streets used by auto
! lists
! "I commend the act of your officer,
Cartwright I will be glad to contribute
| to the expense of special counsel to
defend the officer
Dr.. Brandon's Letter.
DR.. NJ. C. Bragdon writes as follows
to Policeman Johnston:
|
| shooting that fellows tire, and I am
glad to know that you are such good
shot,
| Edward J. Wright said in his letter:
! LAS 1 reside on one of the streets
on which these forty and fifty miles an
hour autoists occasionally pass the
door. feel interested in the event
which happened on Wednesday last,
as l have children who are liable to
| be run down by these lightning ex-
| mr. 7 tn ma
trolman, Arthur Johnston, shooting a
| hole in the tire of a speeding auto, and
as a citizen [ must say that heartily
approve of his course.
81 would have applauded vigorously
| had / been near enough to have seen
the affair. 1t is pleasant to know that
some of your officers have the nerve
| to stop an automobile in this way
and I hope more of them will do it,
as long as they make good shots and
are careful to put the bullet into the
tire. I should think it would be a
good thing for some of these fellows
who don't care what they kill, and
wish you success in the matter.
edward J. WRIGHT,
Commission merchant, 232 South
Water street, Chicago
The pistol shots that resulted in
Johnston's arrest were fired by him at
Cartwright's machine after he had
speeded past three other policemen,
regardless of their warning to stop.
Two of the shots struck a rear tire
| and the machine came to sudden
| stop. William Walsh, the chauffeur,
was arrested. Cartwright sought a
| compromise in which he asked that a
fine be imposed, but be Immediately
suspended. Chief of Police Frost
would not listen to such an arrange
ment, and the legal fight over the right
began.