La Junta tribune., 1911-08-05
Tom. the Pseper, Caught.


carrying on an almost nightly cam.
paiyn in the residential section west
OF San Juan avenue during the past
two weeks. was caught In the act
last Wednesday night. between 10
and II O'Clock. by Night Marshal Ed
Emerson. His name is Clarence Stout,
and he is In the employ Of the
Santa Fe as fireman between this
city and Ration.
Some man. supposed to be Stout,
has been prowling around the resi-
dental section night after night for
nearly two weeks. Last Monday
night he was prowling around the
residence OF Harry Schuyler. looking
In the windows. and Mr.. Schuyler
grabbed his strusty six-shooter and
fired several shots at the fleeting
man as he scampered through the
backyard and over the fence. On
Tuesday night he visited the resi-
dence OF II. A. Dawley and tele-
phone call for the police was sent to
the city hall. A thorough search OF
the neighborhood failed to bring to
light any one whose actions were at
all suspicious. and the identity OF
the prowler remained a mystery.
On Wednesday night Night Marshal
Emerson made a declaration of war.
and after putting on pair OF gum.
shoe slippers. announced that he was
going after Tom the Peppers scalp.
and do or die in the effort About
10 o'clock his efforts were rewarded.
He found man peeping through the
windows OF John Howe's residence. at
40 Carson avenue. After watching
him for about five minutes and max
ing sure that he was not mistaken In
the mans intentions. he jumped over
the fence and started for him. The
''peeper." however. became aware OF
to run. He was fleet OF foot and
had no difficulty In mounting an
ashpit and clearing seven foot
fence In q jiffy, With Emerson In hot
1 pursuit lie ran nearly four blocks.
Emerson firing half q dozen sboas n
him. and finally bringing him to halt
near ~ brsck yard bridge. The
pepper showed fight. and Emerson
had to hit him over the head three
times with the butt end Of his gun
before he was finally subdued.
Alderman John Howe. was out Of
bed with the marshai's first shot. and
arrayed In his pajainas and sockless.
was close In Emerson's wake as the
peeper went over the back fence. The
alderman however. did net try to
scale the seven foot fence and had
to go around the block. but he arriv'
ed In time to b. OF some assistance
to the marshal when the pecper want.
cd TO get fussy.
Stout was taken to the city hall
and lodged In Jail. and DIR. kcarns
summoned. In the absence OF CITY
Health Officer Moore. TO dress his
wounds. They are not Of serious
nature. On his way Ia the jail he
mad. tn. remark to Emerson. Il Wish
you had killed me while you were
shooting" Stout has been around La
Junta for som. time. About a year
ago he WAS firing on n switch en-
gine for Emmett Hyre. but quit and
went TO the coast A few months ago
he returned and has been firing be-
tween Ration aud La 1unia since.
Emerson received word from Ration
Thursday morning that Stout was
wanted In Ration on similar charge.
Until about n week ago Stout Was In
III. Santa y. hospital. claiming
that something Was III. matter with
him. and as II usual In doubtful
cases, II was thought to b. appen'
dicitis. ~. was discharged from the
hospital about u week ago. Al the
time Of his arrcs, b. claimed To be-
suffering from appendicitis. and claim
I'D that he had mad. u mistake. while
looking for n friend. and goi into the
wrong yard Emerson says he would
iik. To acquire appendicitis II II
would make him NJ fleet OF foot as
Stout appears to be.
No chars. has ms yet been filed
against Stout. and II Il thought II
viii not be- possible to bring charge
against him Of anything more seri'
our than disturbing III" peace. The
dis,ric, attorney. however. Ia looking
the matter up, and " possible
state case will b. mad. ~ a.
New Abstract copr any.