One suspects alcohol — or perhaps extremely bad eyesight — may have been a factor in the confrontation described in this Tribune brite.

Looked for Burglar;
Found a Goat;
Now in Hospital

Mistaking an innocent “billy” goat for a bold, bad burglar, D.P. Conry, head clerk at the West hotel, aimed a blow at the intruder with such force that it went wide of its mark and crashed down on his ankle, fracturing one of the bones.

Mr. Conry’s injury was so serious that he is still confined to his bed and will be unable to be about for several days.

At Second avenue and Thirty-third street south, Mr. Conry is erecting a house. There are several piles of lumber lying about and recently it has been observed that the night air seems to reduce the number of boards.

Mr. Conry made his deductions. “It’s thieves,” he decided. “I’ll catch ‘em.”

Mr. Conry has been a hotel clerk for many years, so he is afraid of nothing. Notifying the Red Cross headquarters to be ready for a thoroughly trounced thief, he waited for the shades of night then made his way to the scene of sin.

Armed with a small-sized fence post he awaited the coming of the villain who dared purloin his lumber, with lumber at its present price. He soon heard his victim coming. He took a peek and decided it was an old man with white whiskers.

Closer came the prowler and stronger grew Mr. Conry’s nerve.

Bang went the club.

Billy Goat hopped on about his business, and Mr. Conry went down with a broken ankle.

Two big, sour bulldogs now guard the lumber night and day.

Goats were apparently a popular form of transportation for youngsters of the early 20th century. You’ll find dozens of similar photos in the Minnesota Historical Society’s images collection. (mnhs.org photo)

This entry was posted on Friday, June 23rd, 2006 at 8:45 am and is filed under Crime, Main, Weird. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.