Fred Whiteman

Article taken from The Sandusky Star Journal, October 18, 1907

Shot and Killed Man Who Assailed Him to Escape Arrest

PORTSMOUTH, O., Nov. 18 - Fred Whiteman, forty-two, a junk dealer known in Kentucky as a desperado, was shot and instantly killed here by Policeman Fred Wessel, after he had interfered in an arrest late Saturday night.

The shooting was done in self-defense. Whiteman had grabbed the policeman's mace and knocked him down with a blow across the head. He was preparing to follow it up with another blow when the semi-conscious officer raised himself to his knees and fired twice, one bullet taking effect in Whiteman's groin and the other entering his heart. Whiteman ran seventeen paces before he fell, with the officer's mace still in his hand.

Meanwhile Wessel's prisoner, John Anderson, attacked Policeman Frank Housches. A desperate struggle ensued, but with the arrival of reinforcements he was overpowered and taken to jail.

Anderson had been arrested, following a game of freeze out in and East End saloon, which broke up in a row. When discovered, he had stolen the cards and poker chips.

Wessel is in a critical condition.