Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-03-26
STRANGE MAN MAKES MURDER
Gus ASSAULT ON CONSTABLE
JAMES HUFFMAN.
is BEsTED IN FIGHT
Official Tells the Story Of the Attack
Says Man Thoughtful Knew Him
Revolver Plays Heavy Part-"Far-
reIl" Is Arrested.

| y
James Huffman, constable 70 Justice
G. C. Ayres, was the victim of muir
derous attack Saturday night while at
tending to his official duties in the
neighDorhood of Bakers egg house on
South College street. The assailant
was man who gives his name as John
Farrell He attacked Huffman with a
razor, and struck at his throat, with
such force that the necktie worn by
Mr.. Huffman was completely severed.
Constable Huffman knocked the man
to the ground and covered him with his
revolver, later taking him to the county
jail, where he now awaits his trial.
st1t was sure close shave for me, !"
said Mr.. Huffman thisKsmorning. If
he had struck just two inches higher I
would never need a razor again. I
went down there about 9 o'clock Satur-
day night wath a warrant for Grip"
Lewis, who is wanted on the charge of
assault and battery. couldn't find
Lewis at Stantons saloon, where first
went, and was returning towards town,
walking up the railroad tracks. When
about 100 feet below Bakers eg ghouse
/ saw man walking ahead Of me on
the track. He was walking straight
and as far as could make out he was
just 'mosying' up the line toward town.
"You're the Man."
When I got up even with him he
turned suddenly on me and said,
you're the man I'm looking for Be-
fore caught on to what he was up to,
he made full arm sweep at me with
his right hand. l felt something catch
on my necktie and thought he had a
knife. swung back SO quick that the
force Of the blow carried him clear on
around in swing and then saw the
razor glistening in the moonlight. Be-
fore he could straighten up again, I
caught him one in the neck with my
fist and knocked him TO the ground.
81 said, I'm an officer; you're under
arrest l drew my gun on him and he
saw the game was about up. I didn't
know you were an officer" he said.
told him to come along and we walked
on up the track to College street,
where the light was shining. Here
sawshim Juggling at something in his
pocket. I told him to throw up his
hands or would fix him. When he
put them up in the air saw his right
hand was badly cut and was bleeding
freely. asked him what he was try
ing to pull out of his pocket, but he de.
MED having anything in his pockets, so
searched him. I found an empty ra-
zor box In his hip pocket so l went
back and found a bloody razor lying
along the railroad tracks. He must
have cut his hand on the razor when
knocked him down. He told me his
name was John Farrell, but it's hard
to tell what his name is. found sew
eral credentials on him showing that
he had been at work at different points
in Missouri and Iowa, but none Of the
papers had any name on them. He
tried to put up fight several times on
the way up to jail, but he didn't like
the looks of my gun.
II know one thing, If hadn't been
just a little quicker with my fist than
he WAS with his razor, would have
been goner sure for that boy sure had
murder in his eye. BY the way, went
back and got Grip Lewis, too, after
put Farrell in the lock up"
Information has been filed against
the man by Constable Huffman and he
will be tried in G. C. Ayres' court fol
assault with intent to commit murder