Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 97, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 May 1918 — FIRES SHOTGUN AT NIGHTWATCH [ARTICLE]

FIRES SHOTGUN AT NIGHTWATCH

CHARLES MARLIN CHARGED WITH ATTEMPTING TO KILL CRITSER. Early this morning the peaceful slumbers of the citizens of this city were disturbed by sounds of shotgun and pistol. Maqy were frightened out of their wits and thought the city was being attacked by some alien enemies. The Huns had not broken through but a battle royal had been engaged in between Night Watch Critser and Charles Marlin of Kentucky fame. There was .bad blood between the two men and they had had previous altercations. The story of the affair was given to us by Mr. Critser, substantially as follows: About two o’clock this (Thursday) morning I went down to the Main garage and just about that time an automobile with a number of Rensselaer fellows in it arrived and among them was Charles Marlin. He says he talked to the' fellows in the garage but did not notice anything wrong. Marlin went into the office and Critser followed him. Critser engaged Marlin in conversation. He asked Marlin what he was working at and Marlin told him that he was working on the rfiilroad. Critser then asked Marlin how much he received for his work and Marlin told >him to go ask the railroad officials. This led to a heated argument in which Critser says Marlin threatened him. Critser ordered Marlin to go home. Marlin started out of the office and Critser says he started up town when suddenly Marlin attacked him with a brick, hitting him upon the head and causing a deep wound. At the same time Marlin, so Critser says, threatened his life. Critser also says Marlin ran and that he continued down to Van Rensselaer street and when about ready to enter the fire engine house someone called to him and looking around saw Marlin with a shotgun. Critser says he dodged into the fire engine house and says he thinks Marlin fired at him twice. Marlin then got behind a post and Critser fired at him, emptying his revolver. Critser says he ithen looked for a shotgun which he thought was in the fire engine house but could not find it. In the meantime Marlin had made his get away. Later in the day Marlin was arrested and at this writing is awaiting a hearing to he had sometime later. Critser thinks the young men had Just returned from Beaverville, 111., where they had filled their hides with booze.