Evening Republican, Volume 19, Number 116, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 May 1915 — LAFAYETTE YOUTH SHOT DELPHI OFFICER [ARTICLE]

LAFAYETTE YOUTH SHOT DELPHI OFFICER

Nightwatch Scallon Will Probably Die—Lafayette Young Men Are Under Arrest. Gun Scallon, for the past 15 years the nightwatch of Delphi, is lying at the point of death at his home on Deer Creek, as a result of a shot fired by one of six drunken Lafayette youths who bummed their way to that city on a Wabash passenger train late Saturday night. The nightwatch was found about 2 o’clock Sunday morning lying in the center of the street with a gaping bullet wound in the side if his head and his brains almost blown out. He is about 55 years old and was held in high esteem by Delphi citizens. What prompted the cowardly act is a mystery to the police. Scallon had cautioned the youths that they must not make so much noise and one of them asked him what he would do. Scallon replied that he would have to lock them up until morning. The young men bantered him to try it. There were six in the gang and Scallon deputized a citizen to help him lock them up. Two of the gang started to run and the deputy started in pursuit, leaving Scallon with the other four. Scallon tussled with them and a lone shot was fired. The deputy evidently thought the .night watchman had fired it and did not return. Scallon was found in the road in a dying condition a short time later. Jack Friend and Lawrence Lawson are held in the Carroll county jail on suspicion and Louis Wendling is being detained as a material witness. The rest of the gang escaped and the police are still on the hunt for them. Wendling was found in bed in the Crosby restaurant, where he had gone immediately after the shooting. He declaimed any knowledge as to who fired the fatal shot. Late Sunday afternoon a youth was seen crossing the fields in the direction of Battle Ground. Officers started in pursuit. On the Booth farm near the Tippecanoe river they captured Lawson, who is but 17 years of age. He did not deny that he had been to Delphi, but refused to talk when questioned afibut the shooting. Those of the gartg now in jail have retained Charles Pollard and refuse to talk. Mayor Smith has a statement from each of the men and these will be turned over to Prosecutor Brockway at once. The officers have learned the names of the missing men and their arrest is expected soon. The crime is one of the most outrageous ever committed in Carroll county and feeling is running high. Scallon is being attended by Drs. C. C. Crampton and C. E. Carney. They stated Sunday night that Scallon could not live. W. I. Hoover received a new car load of Fords today. We now have a night mechanic, which enables us to do your work any hour of the night. If you need any work done at. night bring it to us Same price.—Main Garage.