Los Angeles herald., 1907-08-24
TAKEN AFTER
NINE YEARS
WouLp-RE MURDERER FACES IN
TENDED VICTIM
SERGEANT MISSED DEATH BY A
NARROW MARGIN
Prisoner Arrested for Petty offense Is
Recognized by Haupt and
Grows Out Warning
and Threat

In the dssk sergeant's office of the cen
trail police station John McFadden last
night was brought face to face with the
man whose life he attempted to take nine
years ago and who missed death by but a
narrow margin.
The man was Desk Sergeant Haupt, one
of the best known and oldest officers on
the force.
McFadden had been arrested charged
with drunk. Neither of the men had seen
| each other since the time of their fight In
which Haupt so nearly lost his life.
| While McFadden was being searched
| Haupt paused in his work and gazed al
him. A dim recollection of the mans
features passed through his mind.
Are you, the John McFadden that used
to live in Dogtown nine or ten years ago.
he asked suddenly, leaning over and
pointing an accusing finger at McFadden
Sure l am" was the answer.
| well, McFadden, i am glad to see you.
| said the officer. II wonder If you remern-
Der the man you and Baltimore Joe
tried to kill one night nine years age
near the River station?"
Memory Returns
The prisons face blanched as he gazed
into the eyes of the sergeant.
II guess you remember me all right,
said Haupt. II have not seen you since
you jumped your bail that time, and 1 am
glad to get my hands on you again."
McFadden continued to gaze at the
officer but made no reply to the state
ments
AS he was leaving the desk he turned
and pointed threatening finger at Haupt.
Yes 1 remember you, l remember
you," he said, 'and take care that the
next time 1 don't miss
MY experience with McFadden was one
of the narrowest escapes 1 ever had from
DEATH said Haupt after the prisoner was
placed in the cells.
II was doing duty on a beat in Dog
town. McFadden and man named Bal
timore joe were two of the worst char
acters there. McFadden had been raised
by an old woman living in that district
and had been a terror to the police for
years.
1.-THE men had threatened to kill a
policeman and had picked me out as the
most likely one to tackle. One night |
met them and they told me of their inten-
tions. In other words they served notice
of death on me. 1 told them that If they
were going to start anything of that
nature to get busy.
my bluff carried and they left me. A
little later the same night they assaulted
an old woman, known as Mother Sims.
did not arrest them then, as l feared
would be unable to make a case against
them.
Witnessed Robbery
"About an hour later l was passing an
old winery and happened to glance in
through window. Inside saw two men
forcing a woman to remain standing with
her arms above her head while they
robbed the place.
II ran across the street and summoned
the patrol wagon and then hurried back
just in time to catch them as they were
leaving the place.
II ordered them to halt. Instead of do
ing so McFadden turned and ran, but Bal
timore' tackled me. He swung his arm
about my neck and tried to strike me
with pair of brass knuckles. I wardod
off his blow and struck at him with my
club. For twenty minutes we fought
back and forth, until I suddenly felled
him to the pavement with my club.
"Just as he fell turned around. 1t was
lucky 1 did so. Right behind me stood
McFadden with huge rock raised above
his head and just ready to strike me
down. I lodged the rock, and as 1 did sc
two street car men rushed to my assist
ance. They had seen McFadden raise the
| rock and knew he intended to kill me-
After a hard fight with McFadden al
last subdusd him and took him and Bal
| timore to jail
"The rock with which he intended tC
strike me weighed about ten pounds. Had
not turned when 1 did it would have
broken my skull.
"The following day McFadden was
taken to court, but was released under
bonds. He forfeited his ball. and this is
the first time 1 have seen him since"
/