The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1910-07-07
ALL OVER DOG FIGHT
One Man in Hospital May Die, An
other in Jail.

A fight between a couple OF dogs
about 1000 o'clock Tuesday evening
terminated in, a personal encounter
that resulted ip serious injury to Lem
A. swearipgeH proprietorsuf we'll.
known meat market oh High Ave.
West. Mr.. Swearingen was taken to-
the oskaloosa hospital soon after the
occurrence. He was unconscious and
has not yet regained his faculties,
While attending physicians do not re.
gard the condition of the patient as
critical, they say it is case where
time alone can determine the out
come.
The trouble started in scrap be-
tween dog owned by Lincoln Fisher
and one owned by Frank Fitzgerald.
The scrap took place near a shooting
gallery located at No. 307 High Ave.
West. Fisher endea7ored to separ-
ate the dogs and to stop the disturb
ance. This resulted in almost an en-.
counter between the owners of the
animals and Fitzgerald sought the
assistance of the police. In the mean.
time Fisher was using every means
to get the dogs apart. His dog had
hold on the Fitzgerald dog and
would not give up. Fisher pulled and
kicked and picking the fighters up in
his hands he swung them about. Mr..
Swearingen was witness to the eff
fort to separate the fighters, and took
exception to the kicking of the dogs.
This brought reply from Fisher and
more words followed. Swearingen
was angered at the remarks and
knocked Fisher down. Fisher did not
then continue the trouble, but the
dogs being pulled apart he started
for home, going west on High avenue.
He came upon Swearingen standing
near the front of his market place
and demanded an explanation of the
assault of short time before. Words
followed and Fisher struck Swearin-
gen with sufficient force to send him
to the pavement. 1t is said that he
followed up the fallen man and kick.
ed him several times. Bystanders in
terfered. Swearingen appeared to be
badly hurt and did not attempt to get
up. A physician happened to be Oh
the scene and someone threw water
in the face Of the PROSTATE man,
thinking to revive him. The physician
examined the man hurriedly and an
nounced that he was in bad way.
The patrol was called and at the ad-
vice of the physician Swearingen was
hurried to the Oskaloosa hospital,
where he is receiving every attention.
Fisher was arrested by Officer Harry
Moody and is in charge Of Sheriff
Valentine, pending the outcome Of
Swearingen's injuries.
Fisher was seen this morning by n
Herald reporter at the sheriff's office
in the court house in company with
his brother and his father. He talks
openly and freely of the affair and
makes no attempt to shield himself.
He states that trouble started over
the fight of the dogs. He is sorry
for what has occurred and regrets
the incident in every way.
Following an investigation of the
affair by County Attorney j. G. Pat
terson and the assurance of physi-
clans that Swearingen was not neces-
sarily badly hurt, Fisher was arraign-
ed before Squire Phillips on modi-
fed charge, assault with intent to
do great bodily injury" A plea of
not guilty was entered and the appear
ance bond of three hundred dollars
was promptly furnished by father and
brother. The hearing was set for
next Tuesday July IL.
The affair caused much excitement
last evening and great crowd gath
cred near the scene of the occurrence.
The rumors and reports spread rapid
idly to all parts of town and officers
were called from their beds.