Omaha daily bee., 1910-10-16

as a result Of being shot early today by
Walter a. Hurtz a ranch hand.
SPRINGFIELD. Mo. oct. 15-Stanislaus
Kieca known In the prize ring at Stanley
ketchei. middleweight champion pugilist,
victor in many fistc battles. was shot and
perhaps fatally wounded on a ranch five
miles ont Of Conway. Mo, where he was
recuperating at $50 o'clock this morning
by Walter \. Hurtz, a quarrelsome ranch
hand.
Early this afternoon Ketchel was uncon-
scious and was believed to be in a danger
Gus condition The bullet entered Ketchels
right lung, and so far no effort mas been
made because Of the patients low condition
to probe for Il. Three surgeons brought
from Springfield, No, are attending the
wounded man
Hurtz escaped 10 the woods and is being
chased by men and bloodhounds.
The shooting took place while Ketchel
was eating breakfast at $3.50. There were
no witnesses and as Ketchel almost imme-
diately lapsed into Inconsistencies the eX-
act events leading up to the shooting could
not be learned.
Some Trouble Last Might.
The man who did the shooting was Wal
ter A. Hurtz, a farm hand recently em-
Dloyed by Dickerson and about whom little
is known. Hurtz and Retchel exchanged
words last night. Hurtz retired in an ugly
mood. but nothing especial was thought
Of the matter
This morning Ketchel was seated at the
breakfast table alone when Hurtz entered
the ranch house and, pointing his rifle at
the fighter demanded:
Throw up your hands"
Ketchel apparently remained cool In
stead Of complying, he arose His back
was half turned toward his assailant when
Hurtz, but a few feet away, fired
The bullet struck Ketohel below the right
shoulder blade and, as it developed later,
ranging upward entered the right lung.
KetcheI Unconscious.
Ketchel fell to the floor. A moment later
Charles Bailey, superintendent Of the
ranch, rushed in from another part of the
building Hurtz just appearing through
the doorway.
He shot me-" said the PROSTATE fighter
as he feebly pointed In the direction taken
| by Hurtz.
After relating the brief details Of the at.
fair as given. Ketchel lapsed into uncon.
seriousness
When Bailey realized the situation
Hurtz was out Of sight, speeding for tn,
heavy timber along the Usage bottoms.
1t was twenty-five minutes before med
ical aid reached Ketchel. Then a physician
arrived from Conway five miles away
Little could be done for Ketchel. who In tn,
meantime had been removed to an upstair,
room.
BlOOdh on scent.
At noon Ketchel had not reRained con
seriousness and It was believed that his con
dition was too low to permit his remova
over the rough roads to Conway.
The train from Springfield carried de
tectives and bloodhounds to take up IN,
chase after Hurtz Men employed onbth,
-ranch had started the chase, but not befor,
Hurtz had gained good lead on then,
The Usage timber is heavy and will affor,
ample protection.
Ketchel recently bought a tract of Ian,
near the Dickerson ranch and the doubl,
purpose Of his visit was to see his propert,
and to rest up.
Ketchel left his home in Grand Rapids
Mich, at the age Of 16 and went to Butte
Mont, where he secured employment II
the mines. He worked as a COW boy, as ,
bell boy in a hotel and at other kinds o
work in Butte for a time. His chance L
enter the ring came one night when wa
substituted in a semi-wind up bout an,
he made such showing for a novice tina
there was no difficulty in securing sub
sequent engagements