Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1910-08-18
GOT THE WRONG MAN
Officer Fires at Supposed Hobo
In the Railroad Yards.
POLICE MOORE HIT IN LEG
After Being Arrested Three Men
Attempt to get Away. Police
Gruby Accidentally Shoots
John Moore in Left Leg.

John Moore in Left Leg.
During the present summer, and in
fact ever since Messrs. Martin and
Gruby have been on the police force of
Webster, either or both at the same
time or during their individual terms,
these men have been very diligent in
their efforts to protect our people from
the depredations of the worthless hobo,
who in the fall of the year mixes
among the many deserving workingmen
who come west to secure employment
in the harvest field and by trying to
pass for laborers, are permitted to
remain in towns until night when they
usually commit some crime of more or
less magnitude and make their get
away. There has been quite number
of this worthless and dangerous class
here recently and the police have been
unusually active in driving them out of
town, but the number increased so that
the council deemed it advisable last
week to put on another man to assist in
watching the stores and other property
at night. John Moore was accordingly
appointed by Mayor Harris last Thurs
day night and began work Immediately.
Monday afternoon there were four
bad looking characters in the city and
they were ordered to make their get
away. After supper Chief Martin
learned that they had gone over to the
fair grounds and were making their
hangout in the horse barns. He started
over with Police Moore to round them
up, but meeting Officer Grnby he sent
him and came up town to have his hand,
from which he recently had a finger
amputated, dressed.
Police Gruby and Moore went over to
the grounds and found the men. They
refused to accompany the officers at
first, but were finally persuaded it was
the best thing to do. Police Moore
went in front with three of the prison
ers and Gruby brought up the rear with
the other one. When they reached the
uSpot Tic IiIec iileil III 0hooIc CudISS
broke away and ran in different direc-
tons. One made run around the
depot and was closely followed by
Moore. Turning the corner at the
north end of the building he started to
run in front of Gruby at some little dis
lance in advance. Gruby saw the first
one and then seeing another following
very closely called upon him to stop
and he did not do it. The officer thought
of course the men were both trying to
get away and fired upon the last one
just to stop him, shooting him in the
leg.
AS soon as he was wounded Moore
called to Gruby and an automobile was
secured and he was taken to DR.. Her.
mans office where DIR. Herman and DIR.
Harris dressed the wound. The bullet
entered the front of the leg below the
l-knee, breaking both bones. After the
wound was dressed Moore was taken to
the city hospital where he is receiving
every attention and is getting along as
well as could possibly be expected.
There is some disposition on the part
of few to criticize the action of Police
Gruby in shooting, but we do not
believe that the great majority of our
citizens think he is entitled to censure.
Of course it is very unfortunate that
the accident happened, but if an officer
never used any means to enforce his