Elmore County Republican. [volume] (Mountain Home, Idaho) 1910-1915, 1911-08-26
TRAGEDY MAR
ROWLY AVERTED
Water Works Superintendent Takes
spot Shot" At Sheriff When Lat.
ter Tries to Serve Papers.

pocatelio Aug. 22,-Following an as
sault with deadly weapon commit
ted yesterday upon a deputy sheriff
who sought to serve a court process
upon him, George Winter, superin-
tendent of the Pocatello Water COM
pany, will this afternoon be placed
upon hearing as to his sanity, accord
Ing to the intention OF the county at
torney expressed this morning.
The assault committed by Winters
came near resulting In his being mob
oed, only the determination and cool
nerve OF the deputy sheriff and Chief
of Police Ellis preventing his capture
and death by an armed mob backed
by hundred other citizens armed
with rifles and shotguns. In spite
OF the danger to the officers and
side street in the city In an auto
mobile after The arrest of Winter,
several shots were fired at him
which struck the automobile, punct-
uring tire. He was, however, land
ed In jail and no further trouble is
anticipated.
As culmination Of a long series
Of fights between the water c0mpa-
ny on the one hand and thl citizens
and the council on the other, extend
Ing over number of years, suit
was filed yesterday before Judge
Budge asking for the appointment OF
a receiver for the company and for
an injunction against destruction Of
the property of the plant or the
diversion OF the water supply from
the city as threatened by the super
intendent a few days ago. The ap-
plicatlon for receiver was denied
but temporary Injunction was gram
ted and Deputy Sheriff Francis, ac-
companied by Chief Of Police Ellis.
went to the upper reservoir. where
Superintendent Winter was engaged
with a force Of men cleaning the res
ervoir out, to serve the notice OF In
junction.
Winter, instead Of accepting the
service, shot the deputy sheriff, who
would, then and there, have killed his
assailant, had 1t not been for the ad-
vice and good offices Of the chief OF
police, who restrained him and advis-
ed that he adopt other means.
The two officers returned to the
city for assistance and the news OF
the attack being given out, a great
mob of people assembled, guns were
seized and start made for the res
ervoir which lies on the hill south
of the city The officers on their
second trip were enabled to arrest
Winter without difficulty and placing
him In an automobile, returned rap
idly to the city. On the way, at the
edge of the town, the presence OF
the mob was discovered and the auto
mobile put at full speed was made
to run the gauntlet of the mob. AS
the machine shot under the new sub
way under the railroad, several shots
were fired, no damage being done
except to the machine.
II Is said that the officers after
arresting Winter neglected to search
him. and that as the shots of the
mob were made, he pulled gun
which he struck at the head Of the
driver Of the automobile and with an
oath ordered him to put on all the
power he had on pain of having his
head blown off. The driver put on
the speed, but the officers disarmed
Winter.
Complaint was lodged against Win
ter charging assault with intent to
commit murder and his hearing was
set for this afternoon, but County At
torney r. M. Terrell declared this
that the first step to be ta-
ken would be an inquiry into the san
ity of the accused man.--Capital
News,