Omaha daily bee., 1919-03-23
Soice Chief Starts
y Belated Probe Into
J Shooting Of Soldier

soldier from going overseas, despite
Numerous requests that he be trans
lerred to an overseas regiment.
Private Coleman was one OF the
old Fourth Nebraska boys to be
seat to the Mexican border three
years ago. He was honorably dis
Charged shortly before this coun-
try's entrance into the world war.
Urge Some Action.
"A number of persons, including
Wines IS of the shooting, already
dxse urged the police commissioner
and other members of the commits
sion to take some definite stand in
regard to the matter.
With scarcely a single exception,
persons who saw the detective shoot
down the soldier, turn a deaf ear to
his victims appeal for water and
medical attention and refuse to
allow a passerby to convey the
wounded boy to the hospital in his
automobile, have expressed I'M
Qualified indignation and hope
that Superintendent Ringer and
city officials would take prompt and
proper action against Knudtson.
Some have appeared at the city
hall in person to urge action on the
part Of the police commissioner
and chief of police. Others have
w1tttn letters and offered to testify
ata hearing.
So far as is known, until yester-
day, Chief Eberstein has contented
himself to remain in his Office and
comment on the good record" of
Detective Knudtson. The single
statement he has issued to an anx-
iods and indignant public was to
the effect that "Knudtson was
justified in shooting young Cole
man."
Statements of witnesses unani-
mpusly condemn the shooting and
are to the effect the boy was plead
Ing. with the officer to be allowed to
return and see his wife and mother
before being locked up as all
alleged deserter.
II feel convinced that County
Attorney Shotwell will see the
matter in the proper light" said
Attorney Aye. He is absolutely
faiI. in my opinion. | have conf
derice in Mr.. Shotwell, and I think
his investigation will result in an
Indictment against Knudtson.
The detective positively was not
Justified in the shooting. The act
was criminal and the man should
not only be discharged, but he
should be prosecuted.
Accused Of Being Deserter.
Young Coleman was shot by
Knydson aftSk he had been placed
under arrest by the detective on
an. alleged charge of being a de-
serter from the army. The boy ad-
mitted he was absent without leave,
having overstayed his time limit to
marry Miss Edith Names. He in
tended to return to Camp Dodge
last Tuesday, but the automobile
intwhich he and his bride were rid
aing broke down in the country and
he missed the train.
Mr.. Finn declared his nephew
had made his plans to return to
camp Wednesday night After he
was taken into custody by the de-
tcctives an argument developed and
Kqudson, who is twice the size of
the. unarmed. soldier, drew his re-
volxer and fired a shot into the
boEs right side. The bullet pene-
trs1ed his body and emerged in
the pit of the stomach. He says
the boy struck him and tried to
escape.
His condition still was critical last
night, according to, the statement
of the attending physician.
Another witness to the shooting
fond yesterday is H. Eisenmann,
residing at 30S North Twentieth
strict. He said:
Tells of Shooting.
HOn Wednesday evening about
6:D / was walking south on TWEEN
tieth street when l noticed a crowd
across the street on the east side
|cof Twentieth street at about Twen-
tieth and Capital avenue.
Il crossed over on that side, fol-
lowed them up the street. An Of
ficer and q soldier seemed to be
arguing over the way, the policeman
was handling him. The boy re-