Rensselaer Journal, Volume 12, Number 40, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 March 1903 — AN UNPROVOKED ASSAULT. [ARTICLE]

AN UNPROVOKED ASSAULT.

Editor Bowie Beaten by Max Ahlgrlm In His Own Home. John Bowie, publisher of the Weekly News-Review, of Rose Lawn and Thayer, was badly beaten up by M. J. Ahlgrim, of Water Valley, one night last week. The assault was unprovoked and Ahlgrim will probably pay dear for it before the courts get through with him. Brother Bowie one day last summer acted as arbitrator for Ahlgrim and Mr. Gold, of Water Valley, at the request of both parties. Gold had built a cottage on some land leased of Ahlgrim, and wishing to move it to other grounds Bowie was called in as arbitrator. He awarded Ahlgrim $17.00 damages, which was satisfactory to both parties. Gold turned the money over to Bowie, with instructions to take Ahlgrim’s receipt in full when the money was turned over to him. Ahlgrim refused to sign the receipt and Bowie deposited the money and receipt in the Bank of Rose Lawn, with instructions to turn it over to Ahlgrim upon the latter signing the receipt. The latter went after the money a number of times but as he each time refused to sign the receipt it still lays in the bank.

Last Wednesday night Ahlgrim had a friend drive him over to Bro. Bowie’s and wait outside until he got through with his business. Ahlgrim brought up the old matter of the money and Bowie informed him that the money was in the bank and that he had acted upon Mr. Gold’s orders in demanding a receipt. Ahlgrim cursed and raved around, and finally Brother Bowie wheeled around to his desk with the remark that he had grown tired of such talk and was through with the interview. As soon as his baok was turned, Ahlgrim, who is a big, strong man, struck Bowie on the back of the neck and on the top of the head. He then threw his arms around the editor and bending him back over the desk, got Bowie’s face against some rough plastering, and when Ahlgrim was pulled off by Mrs. Bowie the editor’s face looked as if it had been sandpapered. There was not a spot as large as a dollar but what looked like raw meat. The editor was still full of grit, however, and made for Ahlgrim, but Mrs. Bowie stepped between them and Ahlgrim bolted out doors into the darkness. Ahlgrim has been arrested and will be tried in the Newton circuit court.