While attempting to arrest three thieves near the Nishwich school house in Flatrock township, Henry county, adjoining Richland township, Defiance county, Sheriff W.C. Barnhill, was shot in the neck about 1 o'clock am Monday by one of the trio. The wound is not considered fatal unless complication arise, the bullet passing between the jugular and windpipe, without injuring either.
Shorty before midnight farmers in the vicinity of the Nishwich school house heard a commotion in their poultry yards. The thieves were discovered and Sheriff Barnhill telephoned. The sheriff enlisted the aid of Marshall Heyser and his deputy G.F. Mann, of Napoleon, and started for the scene, arriving there about 1 o'clock.
At the school house they found two covered wagons and surrounding them commanded the men within to surrender. One came and the sheriff immediately placed him under arrest. The marshal and his deputy secured the other two. The man in charge of sheriff Barnhill asked that he be allowed to get a drink at the well close by. His request was granted, the sheriff accompanying him. While stooping to the water the fellow drew a revolver from his pocket and shot, the bullet striking the sheriff. A break for liberty was immediately made and the one who shot, with one of the other two, succeeded in getting away, followed by bullets from officers who gave chase, including Sheriff Barnhill. They succeeded in eluding the police under cover of darkness, but it is thought that one of the shots took effect. The captured thief was taken to Napoleon and locked up and Sheriff Barnhill was placed under the care of a physician, as the wound was a dangerous one.
A posse was formed and the country scoured. It was learned that the two free robbers stole a horse and buggy two miles south of the scene of the shooting and had gone south and west. The Defiance police were requested to lookout for them. A description of the fellow who shot the sheriff is that he is a man about 50 years old, smooth face, white hat, brown coat and pants, the latter torn in front, no vest, white shirt and rather light complected.
Deputy Marshal Mann went to the scene and took the two covered wagons to Napoleon. The vehicles were found to contain felt boots, rubber shoes, hats, caps, mittens, gloves, tobacco, coffee, etc., which gives the officers an opinion that some general store has been robbed recently in the vicinity, possibly the one at Matamora, near Sylvania. There has been no later word concerning the chase after the escaped robbers.
At the school house they found two covered wagons and surrounding them commanded the men within to surrender. One came and the sheriff immediately placed him under arrest. The marshal and his deputy secured the other two. The man in charge of sheriff Barnhill asked that he be allowed to get a drink at the well close by. His request was granted, the sheriff accompanying him. While stooping to the water the fellow drew a revolver from his pocket and shot, the bullet striking the sheriff. A break for liberty was immediately made and the one who shot, with one of the other two, succeeded in getting away, followed by bullets from officers who gave chase, including Sheriff Barnhill. They succeeded in eluding the police under cover of darkness, but it is thought that one of the shots took effect. The captured thief was taken to Napoleon and locked up and Sheriff Barnhill was placed under the care of a physician, as the wound was a dangerous one.
A posse was formed and the country scoured. It was learned that the two free robbers stole a horse and buggy two miles south of the scene of the shooting and had gone south and west. The Defiance police were requested to lookout for them. A description of the fellow who shot the sheriff is that he is a man about 50 years old, smooth face, white hat, brown coat and pants, the latter torn in front, no vest, white shirt and rather light complected.
Deputy Marshal Mann went to the scene and took the two covered wagons to Napoleon. The vehicles were found to contain felt boots, rubber shoes, hats, caps, mittens, gloves, tobacco, coffee, etc., which gives the officers an opinion that some general store has been robbed recently in the vicinity, possibly the one at Matamora, near Sylvania. There has been no later word concerning the chase after the escaped robbers.
No comments:
Post a Comment