"Stop. . . I said Stop"

Lawrence County News October 15, 1931

Chicken Thief Tries a Getaway; Deputy Hipsher Votes “No”

Harry Hipsher, deputy sheriff, got an “exciting few minutes” Friday morning courtesy of an escaping prisoner. Thanks to the deputy’s quick thinking (and stubborn refusal to stay down), the would-be escape ended with the prisoner alive, captured, and very much out of luck.

Charles Miller—indicted for stealing chickens (a crime with low glamour and even lower odds of success)—had been before Judge Pearce, who fixed bond at $500. Miller was turned over to Deputy Hipsher about 11 o’clock and behaved just fine on the trip back to jail.

As the deputy rang the bell at the door, Miller reached into his pocket, produced a piece of iron, and made a strong, uninvited point with it—just above Hipsher’s right ear—knocking the deputy down. Miller jumped off the porch and ran. From the ground lying prone, Hipsher fired once; the bullet went wild. He stood, fired another shot with improved aim as Miller entered the alley behind the Lawrence Hotel. Miller fell, got up quickly, and continued running east with Deputy Hipsher in pursuit.  

Turning north on 10th Street, Hipsher was gaining fast when Miller stopped and threw up both hands—the universal sign for “I’ve had enough of this plan.” He was taken back to jail and Dr. R.L. Gordon was called to dress the wounds. Mr. Hipsher has a nasty cut over his right ear. Miller, meanwhile, is carrying a 32-calibre bullet in his head just over the left ear, which is not the kind of souvenir a person wants to take away from a trip to Lawrenceville. The bullet struck behind the ear and followed the skull to a point just above and slightly in front of the ear, where it remained. He suffered no ill effects, apparently, and no effort was made at that time to remove the bullet—presumably because everyone agreed this story had already used up the day’s supply of drama.