Omaha daily bee., 1908-11-02
Short Shift Likely to Be Given II
Caught By Pursuers.
THOUGHT TO BE MANLY ROBBERS
Officer Had Been Warned To Watch
These Two Men.
HAD STARTED TO ARREST THEM
As He Approached Through Railroad
Yards One of the Pair Fired, Kiu-
Ing RaIston instantly, and
Then Both Fled.

WEEPING WATER, Neb., Nov. l.-tSpe-
cial Telegram. )-suspecting that Night
watchman c. A. Ralston was going to
arrest them one of tw0 men thought to be
the robbers of the Manley bank, FIVE mi es
from here, shot and instantly killed the
officer about O'Clock Sunday afternoon.
Immediately the community was aroused
and every man who could secure a weapon
and horse started i'm pursuit Of the muir
derers; the sheriff made fast drive from
Plattsmouth in an automobile, bringing
bloodhounds with him; officers in Lincoln
were notified to bring hounds and come
here as we'll as go to stations northwest
of here In which direction the murdefers
went after shooting Rslston. The Platte
river bridges are also being guarded and
the man hunt has been taken up with
such vlgor and determination that 1t seems
almost impossible that the murderers can
escape. Cass county Is a net work OF tele-
phones, The lines have all been busy and
towns of Wabash, Elmwood, Eagle. Muir
dock, Alvo, South Bend, Ashland, LOWS
vile and others have been notified.
Feeling Is so intense that only the cool
heads of the prominent business men in the
searching party will prevent lynchins
should the men be apprehended.
The murdered nightwatchman Is MEM
ber of prominent families and has lived in
Weeping Water almost since boyhood. He
was terror to evil doers and very brave
man The men who committed the decd
stopped all night at the Riverside hotel
They registered as Charles Selders and Ar
thur Munster and took breakfast there. eat
ing dinner Just before the murder. They
came here looking like buns, but left
wearing good clothes OF dark color and
soft black hats. They are about five feet
ten or eleven inches in height and one
was slightly stopped, one weighing about
lsO pounds. while the other was thinner and
weighed about 14O pounds.
From the hotel they went up the track
to the coal chutes and behind the cars
Ralston met them and they fired one shot
killing him instantly. He fell on MIS- race
in the cinders. The sectiorJ foreman heard
the shots and saw the men running away.
lie went te Investigate end foutd the highs
watchman dying. Previous TO going up
the tracks Ralston was talking with de-
tective sert here to look up the Manley
hank robbery and the detective told him
to keep an eye on these men. In less than
fifteen minutes Raston was killed. Blood
hounds are also on the road here from
Lincoln.
RaIston Well Known.
Charley Ralston is one of the best known
men In central Cass county and connected
with prominent families OF Weeping Water.
He has been night watchman at two differ
ent times, covering a period altogether or
about ten years. He is a brother OF Alfred
Ralston former butcher and cattle buyer.
About twelve years ago Charles Ralston
ioined the Methodist church here and be-
came one of the most active church work
ers in the community, frequently filling
pupits and talking a lay worker
wherever opportunity permitted.
When the murdered night watchman quit
the police duties at one time and opened
barber shop. it was one of the most unique
shops in the country and attracted some
little attention. II was a sho? conducted
Just as Mr.. Ralston lived. Religious tracts
were scattered ON the tables, a number OF
Bibles were convenient for customers wait
ing the call Of next" and IL Mr.. Ralston
was drawn into conversation with his Gus
toners, It gave him opportunity 10 speak
word for the church, which he never
failed to do.
When times we're hard with the students
OF Weeping Water academy Congrega-
tionaI institution. Charley" Ralston did
barber work for the young men without pay
If the young men were deserving and the
barber gave literally and encouraged those
who were working toward the ministry.
This sho pwas run on this plan for over a
year, when Mr.. Raiston went back on the
night watchman's Job.
AS an officer he was conscientious and
exerted a good influence I'm keeping boys
of the street at night He could send the
average boy home and the boy went
Mr.. Ralston leaves a wife and daughters.
besides his brother, Alfred Ralston, and "A
sister Mrs. Arthur Marshall