The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1922-05-01
Timer Austin, Drunk, Shoots
Policeman Herman Bartels
FFiCER MAY DIE AS RESULT Or
SAD AFFAIR SUNDAY AT
ELM GROVE.
kuSTIN HAD BEEN ARRESTED
SEVERAL TIMES RECENTLY
HAD THREATENED TO
SHOOT.

Wheeling's police force. on duty IN
Elm Grove, was shot BY Elmer Austin.
of rear PIG South Broadway street.
Yesterday afternoon shortly before 4
O'Clock, near the Baltimore d ONO
railroad depot in Elm Grove. after 70
liceman Bartels had arrested Austin
i,on a drunk charge. The officer may
die.
Bartels was rushed to the North
Wheeling no 'pital in Crider Bros. am
Hbulance and for over two hours was
" on the operating table. The bullet en-
tered about three inches below the
heart, passing through the liver and
lodging in the spine. The bullet was
recovered. Al an early hour this
morning it was stated his condition
was about the same.
Austin was taken into custody imm%
diately after shooting the policeman
land taken to the Elm Grove fire STA
ition. Police and the sheriff were no
Titled. Sheriff Harry 7. Clouse and
DEPUTY Sheriff Dave Cleary were the
first to arrive on the scene anu
brought Austin to Jail. He will De
held to await the outcome OF Police
man Bartels' injuries.
Said to Be Dangerous.
Austin, who is bricklayer BY trade,
land who sometimes lived with his
mother, Jennie Austin. at rear 2ls
South Broadway street but more often
lin Elm Grove. is said to have been
drinking heavily for the past several
months. He was arrested six or seven
times during the past month on drunk
charges.
Two weeks ago he was arrested b.
Policeman William Kramer on Gi"of
'terlv charge. II was necessary for
the policeman to use his club on Aus
tin before he could get him to Jail.
: Only Saturday. it is said. Squire
iCharles Goldenberg. OF Elm GroYe. ar
rested Austin on a drunk charge. he
was released under bond and. 1t Is
said. became drunk again yesterday.
III was said he had remarked. I'll
shoot the next ----o Of 4 police
man who arrests me-
Yesterday. Austin IS said to have
been about Elm Grove drunk. and 70
licenan Bartels started after him to
arrest him on 4 charge OF being drunk
and disorderly. The arrest was made
In the vicinity of the Elm Grove mine
itipple, which is near the railroad sta
-tion.
Whips Out Revolver.
Austin, it Is said. objected to being
rrested, according to the version OF
Witnesses. and the officer deputized y.
c. Brandau to help him handle the
prisoner.
Austin apparently had been Gained
somewhat, witnesses to the shootlns
saw, and Policeman Bartels let go OF
his arm 10 search the prisoner. when
Austin whipped out 80 callbre re-
Lyolyer. He snapped the trigger three
hines. One hell was not discharged,
hut two others were, one striking the
policeman and the other going WHO.
SQUIRE Charles Seibert was on MS
. way home from the ball game. when
saw the excitement. When he
eached the scene. after he heard two
ots Aired, O. c. Brandau and August
eisler were holding Austin. who was
ruggling with them for his freedom.
uuire Seibert took the revolver from
ustin-
Police Form Circle.
Hearing of the shooting. Detective
lillian BUGGY. who answered the teie-
hone, Immediately dispatched police
all points throughout the city IN an
fort to catch Austin. the telephone
essage not saying that he had a.
lady been caught. Police were sent
Boggs' Run, Clldwell's Run. Glenns
un, along the National Road and sta
oned on the bridges.
Policeman Bartels was appointed on
ne police department by Chief OF 20
ce Fred H. Frazier in July. 1920. he
las formerly stogiemaker by trade
he Is 4 married man and has three
children. He lives at 148 South Park
treet, Edgwood. 1t was several hours
fter the shooting that his family
card of the sad affair. being In the
ountry visiting friends.
According to Squire Charles Seioert'
loliceman Bartels had not drawn his
yolyer, It being still in the holster
tier he was shot. Austin became
ery much excited while being held
til the arrival Of the officers. His
bpearance indicated he had been