Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-08-05
SHOOTING ENRACES CROWD
Carnival ThrOnsS at Grand Island Make
Threats Of Violsncs.
VICTIM IS DYING IN HOSPITAL
John HambIin, Angered by Unre0uited
love. Puts Bullet Into Miss Rachel
BnEel, Aged 10, and FIees
from city.

GRAND ISLAND. Neb., Aug. l-(special
Telegram John Hamblin last night shot
and seriously. n not mortally, wounded
Miss Rachel Engel aged i5 evidently while
in a rage over unrequited love.
Hamblin, Miss Engel, Miss Durham and
three young men were in party coming
to the city. apparently all in friendly mood
and bent on enjoying carnival sights. when
Hamblin drew back, as II to light cigar
in the shelter Of a railroad car. and shot
twice At the first shot Miss Engel fell;
the second shot went wild, but flashed d.
rectly in the face of Mr.. Smith a young
man walking with Miss Kent. Miss Engel
is now in the hospital in serious condition.
Hamblin made his escape.
Miss Engel is the daughter Of Mrs. Mark
Kent Her stepfather is a HORSEPOWER
and contractor in similar lines of work.
Hamblin has been working for him and
boarding at his place for about a year.
He has mover been known to have been
mixed up In any trouble, but the fact that
he was smitten with the daughter of his
employer was noticeable to Mr.. and Mrs.
Kent and they have exercised the usual
care in such cases, not permitting the
daughter to keep company with him. Nor
was there any recproCation Of the affec-
tion on the part Of the girl There never
had been any indication that the infatua-
ton was of such an Intense character as
would lead TO any difficulty and when the
parents heard of the shooting 1t came like
a thunderclap out of a clear sky.
After the shooting Smith Immediately
turned to face Hamblin, who started to
run swiftly to the north and away from
the city. Smith chased him for a block
and then ran to the nearest phone to
he In
Of the companions took Miss Engel to a
nearby house and called a physician while
others went in search Of Mr.. and Mrs.
Kent. The latter had heard the shots but,
In the racket Of the carnival. had paid
little attention to them. A few moments
later they saw their son running quickly
through the crowd and hailed him. Upon
being informed of the shooting they had
the daughter removed at once to the hos
pital.
Sheriff Dunkel was at once notified, as
was also Detective Bowers of the Union
Pacific, who Immediately wired descrip-
lions to all nearby points. A thorough
search was also made of the city. Later
in the night several parties started out in
automobiles. No trace Of the murderer
has been found, however.
Hamblln is a man of dark complexion,
wrinkle alongside the nose and mouth on
both sides. He has never been a drinking
man, nor has his conduct ever been such
as to anticipate anything like his present
crime, though he is quick tempered. There
is considerable indignation and some talk
OF lynchlng in case the fellow is appre-
hended, but no trouble on this score Is
feared.
Miss Engel will be given a rest of twenty
four hours, after which another operation
will be undertaken If her condition per-
mits. The ball seems to have struck the
side of the spinal column and so torn the
nervous system that a complete paralysis
of the body from three inches above the
hip down has set in, requiring artificial
means for some of the functions of the
vital organs. This paralysis may be per-
manent.
There is considerable feeling over the
matter and with a large crowd on the
streets, some trouble may result II the
offender is apprehended and brought in
here tonight. Sheriff Dunkel has received
a message from the marshal at Dannebrog
to the effect that he has the man. The
Independent has a report that the descrip-
ton tallles to the extent of large lump
on the mans wrist and the amount Of
money on his person. The weight COM
plexion, hair and general appearances
matches exactly. He is complete stranger
at Dannebrog and gives the name Of Elmer
son. He had revolver when arrested by
the marshal which had two chambers
empty. He desired to call up Charles
Wicker, before being arrested Wicker
being resident of this city and a neiEhbor
OF Kent's. There is little doubt but that
the stranger is Hamblin. On the crowded