Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-02-18
COMBAT IN THE DARK
Policeman Interrupts Struggle
on Stairway.
MEN HAVE FIERCE FIGHT
NJ. Serviere at Hospital, Herr
Flickinger in Arrest.
STATEMENT BY THE PATIENT
Surgeons Fear That Pneumonia May
Develop, With Fatal Results.
Prisoner Is Silent.
STATEMENT BY THE PATIENT

school. In consequence Rene Ciaudlus
Serviere "A Frcnchman. thirty-one years
Of age, was taken 10 the Emergency Hos
pitaI having sustained nine stabs and
cuts while his alleged assailant. QUO
FIickinger, a German, twenty EIGHT years
of age. was arrested
Serviere received cuts and stabs about
his body, arms and hands. the most seri-
Gus of the injuries being stab through
the chest, which cut the apex of the le1t
lung. He suffered from hemorrhage and
was extremely weak when he reached the
hospital A saline solution was admins
tered and the patient rallied. but this
morning the physicians feared pneumonia
might develop with fatal results. although
they expressed hope of his recovery
F'lickinger paced the floor of his cell
at the police station today and anxiously
inquired regarding the condition OF the
wounded man.
I'm so glad" he remarked to a Star
reporter when informed that Serviere was
somewhat better.
Trouble About Use of Room.
Serviere had occupied a room in the
school building, while Flickinger resided
at ST. 18th street A few days ago. 1t is
stated Prof Alfred Gonard. principal of
the school, dispensed with the services OF
Serviere. appointing Flickinger as his
successor. Prof Gonard told Flickinger
lie could occupy the room that had been
occupied by his predecessor The french
teacher, il is stated, complained that
F'lickinger had talked about him and last
week Flickinger informed Crossing Police
man McCravy that Serviere had kicked
him.
II want him arrested" was the de-
mand
hof
j can assist you" the policeman replied
Later the policeman was told by Flick
niger that he and the other teacher had
settled their differences. The policeman
night few minutes after II o'clock. when
he heard cries of Murder from the
building. One of the clerks in a drug
store the ground floor also heard the
cries and he was at the door leading TO
the part of the building occupied by the
school when the police reached there. The
door was securely fastened, but it was
.orced.
Struggle in the Dark.
On the landing at the head of the stairs.
although the lights had been extinguished,
the policeman was able to distinguish the
forms of the men. They were clinched,
the policeman thought, and Flickinger
was apparently using a knife. Both men
were led from the building. Policeman
Clayton of the seventh precinct. who hap
pened to be in the neighborhood at the
time. assisting the crossing policeman.
Flickinger received a severe injury to
his right hand inflicted, it is asserted.
with the teeth of Serviere when the hand
was put in the latter's mouth to prevent
him from making an cutlery.
AS soon<as a patrol wagon reached New
York avenue and 14th street the two men
were placed in it and hurried to the
Emergency Hospital. The injury to the
hand of F'lickinger was dressed in a few
minutes. and he was taken to the first
precinct station. The numerous wounds
sustained by Serviere kept him the
operating table until about midnight. DIR.
White. superintendent of the hospital. at
tended to the more serious wounds, Drs.
Carr. HehebOwer. Mclaughlin and War
ing administering the saline solution and
stopping the minor hemorrhages. The
patient was SO. weak that he was not
questioned at length. although Detective
Evans was permitted to obtain a brief
statement from him.
Statement by Serviere.
IT returned home about IL o'clock NJ
le Servere said to Detective Evans, land
when / reached my room on the third
ioor of the building / found Prof. Flick
niger was secreted in the toilet room. just
opposite my room with his coat off.
asked him what he wanted and he said
re wanted me to leave my room; that Mr.
cionard. the owner of the premises. had
given him my position and room.
told him ! thought he was a friend of
mine. but had found he was not. as he
told Mr. Gonard lies about me and had
written letters about me-
II told him he had caused Mr.. Gonard
To dismiss me last Saturday; that Mr.
Gonard had paid me one weeks salary
that day and had allowed me the use of
ehe room until Saturday of this week
that he had caused Mr. Gonard TO change
his mind and have him order me to vacate
today.
II also told him I had never done any
thing against him, and he then cut me
with knife. l was not armed and tried
10 get away from him and screamed
murder but he continued to cut me until
he policeman came in
Flickinger Not Communicative.
Flickinger had little to say to the police
He stated last night that he went to the
auilding for the purpose of seeing Ser
Fiere and getting possession of the room:
that Serviere had assaulted him and that
pc had acted in self-defense Later he
declined to talk to the detectives or police
men.
When / have appointed a lawyer tn
iefend my case Flickinger said today.
II will take his advice and probably 7
Will be in position 10 make a state
ment. but not until then
F'lickinger denied that there was any
truth in statement that he and Ser
siere had trouble about 4 woman Friends
Of the prisoner visited him this morning
and said they would arrange for counsel
% defend him.
Results Of Investigation.
Crossing Policeman McCravy says that
when he reached the landing where the
men were still struggling. lie took charge
Of Flickinger and found him greatly ex
cited. He muttered something and tried
to throw the policeman aside. but the
fatter held 10 him and carried him bodily
down TO the door. turning him over to
Crossing Policeman Dreamer Then he
returned TO where he had left Policeman
Clayton and the wounded man. They
removed Serv!ere from the building and
soon had him on the way to the hospital
Detective Evans and the policemen as
,ertained that Prof. Flickinger had pur-
biased the hunting knife last Saturday
The wounds on Serviere'S arm and wrist
4 is thought. were inflicted while the arm
vas raised To protect his BODY One
stab wound in the arm extended entirely
through from front to back. The policemen
were also told that F'iickinger extlnguish
ell the lights in the hall when he entered
Tho building.
the hysicians are of the opinion that
there is no immediate danger of death.
tho prisoner will probably be taken to the
Police Court tomorrow morning 1t is
said likely that bond will be refused until
Saryiere is announced out of danger