Jasper County Democrat, Volume 18, Number 2, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 April 1915 — PROS. ATTORNEY ASSAULTED. [ARTICLE]

PROS. ATTORNEY ASSAULTED.

George Kauffman Got the Worst of It In an Encounter With C. M. Sands. Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Charles M. Sands, who is also the city treasurer of Rensselaer, was standing on the crossing 'between the Rowles & Parker corner and Earl Duvall’s store Monday evening between 7 and 8 o’clock, talking with Prosecuting Attorney Hess and Squire Dean, when George Kauffman, who is said to have been under the inffuence of liquor, came up and, pushing Dean and Hess to one side, said: “I would sooner whip you than any I know of,” and followed up the remark by striking Mr. Sands a heavy blow on the right cheek. Sands was standing with his hands in his overcoat pockets at the time, and all thought until the blow was struck that Kauffman was joking. However, he didn’t touch Sands again, and when the latter got through with him he could barely drag himself to the sidewalk and lean up against the side of the building. Kauffman lives in the old Kelly , property on South Weston street, owned by B. D. Comer of Union tp. Sands is the agent of Comer for collecting the rent, and Kauffman is said to have been rather slow in paying at times and it required a little prodding on the part of the collector to get the money. Mr. Sands has also had some accounts to collect against Kauffman, he states, and whether it is simply a personal matter with him or whether Kauffman acted as a representative of some of the bunch whom Sands, as deputy prosecutor, has been active in getting after, is not known at this time. Kauffman is said to be somewhat of a scrapper himself and a hard man to handle when not under the influence of booze. He evidently made quite a mistake in thinking he was going to get away with Mr. Sands, who is a very peaceable citizen but demonstrated his ability to take care of himself when necessary. Kauffman was picked up by the nightwatch and some other parties whom the latter got to assist him, and was taken home. It was rumored that the matter would be taken up with the grand jury yesterday and an indictment asked far. The people of Rensselaer will not |Stand for having their citizens and 'officers assaulted in this manner, and it is -probable that Kauffman will be given a good stiff fine and jail sentence for his “funy’