Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-11-30
OWEN J. FOX VICTIM OF
PATROLMAN NEARY'S
GUN
NOW IN HOSPITAL
ARGUMENT OVER VIGILANCE IN
GUARDING OiNNEEN SALOON
LEADS TO SHOOTING WEDNES-
DAY NIGHr-GETs WARRANT
FOR OFFICER.

As an outerowth of an arsumen. be-
tween patrolman Luke Neary and
Owen J. Fox Wednesday night reyolv-
ers were brought into play and Fox,
who Is a former member of the police
force and an ex-hlgnway commission
er, Is in Ryburn hospital with Il bnl-
let imbedded deep In his leg. The
shooting occurred at II o'clock Wed.
nesday night at the corner of Colum
bus and Superior streets after Neary
claims he was accOsled by the injured
man. who, he says. insuIed and
threatened him because he Was spot.
ting" the Dinneen saloon.
Fox, accompanied by his two SONS
James and Francis, the latter sol
dier who Is home from Camp Dodge on
furlOugh, Jerome Rabbit and Vern
Hefferan, nephews, met Neary and
Special Officer John Nelson at the cor
ner Events are reported to have TAX.
en- place in quick succession after the
meeting.
Neary claims that Fox approached
him and accused him OF having a
d-----d fine job" Neary is reported to
have replied, as member OF the po-
lice force, he was sworn to do his
duty and he was at the corner for
that purpose. Then came an accu
sation that he was dirty rat which
followed by a blow from some un.
known source.
Neary, according to statements
made to his superiors, then stepped
back and drew his gun, cautioning
no one 10 approach him under penalty
of being shot. Fox, undaunted by the
officers threatened attitude is said
to have kept coming at Neary and
when he would not halt at the police
mans second command to stop. the
trigger snapped and bullet entered
its victims groin, passing almost en-
tirely thru the fieshy part OF the leg.
Neary in his story to his superiors
said the men approached him after
they came out OF the alley near the
Dinneen saloon. He and Nelson were
standing near the corner when the
trouble started.
In an effort to avoid any mix-uI
Neary said he began backing ava.
from his accosters when Fox hurleC
al him, You're fine cur to be dOn.
anything like this to man like Din
neen The next thing, he said, HI
knew someone go, in behind him ant
struck him in the back OF The hea,
and he started moving rapidly up ST.
periOr street. Then came the bark
ing reyolvers and Incidents snbseQuen
thereto.
Foxs sons and nephews then rushe
the officers. who turned heel and ra
down Superior street toward La Sallt
with the four men after them. Near
let 70 two more shots at his pursuer
but none OF them took effect Neso
took no part IN the alteration bt
spent his time. he claims. trying
keep the others from reaching Near
while the argument with Fox was
progress He did not draw his gn
nor fire at any members of the part.
Policemen Neary and Nelson bot
are positive that a blow was strnc
at Neary before any shooting toe
place. Members Of the Vox party d
MED there was any attempt made
assault the officer until after he ha
but Il bullet into Fox's limb. Jam'
Fox. a son, in statement to the Ere
Tiader-Iournal said the shooting vi
inexcusable az none Of the party h.
threatened TO strike either Neary
Nelson. lie said he heard the fir
shot but did MOI see Nsary draw al
gun. II appeared to him as tho Nea
had fired thru his overcoat pocket, q
first bullet entered his fathers leg.
He denied that there were any
toyicaied men In the group. VIII
members Of the police force ella
some OF the party had been drink
before tho shooting took place.
Fox said that after his father "
wounded and he aud his cousins to
after the policemen and ran down
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