Blood on the Rails Near Thorpe

A fracas that nearly proved fatal occurred in the dining car of the eastbound passenger train near Thorpe station, west of Ellensburg, on Sunday last. A waiter named Constantine was impudent to a lady and gentleman who were taking dinner. Dining Car Conductor Fletcher, learning of the waiter's impertinence, informed him that he would have to get off at Ellensburg. Constantine replied that he would not, as he was under engagement to go through to St. Paul, and, becoming noisy, Train Conductor Cameron came to Fletcher’s aid. Temporarily the trouble quieted down, but while the conductors were off their guard, the waiter picked up a silver water pitcher and aimed a terrific blow at Cameron. The pitcher struck the latter on the back of the head and inflicted a wound on the forehead of Fletcher. Both conductors were badly hurt and Cameron very seriously. The waiter jumped from the car while it was going at a speed of fifteen miles an hour, and Brakeman Downing, noticing Constantine's flight, pulled the bell cord, leaped after him, and commanded him to halt. By this time Constantine was sixty or seventy yards off and paid no attention to the mandate. Downing, who has the reputation of being a splendid shot, whipped his revolver from his pocket and fired. The ball took effect just back of the left ear and came out two inches above. He was not dangerously injured, and before he could make any resistance he was bound hand and foot and taken to the train. At Ellensburg he was turned over to the sheriff.