Officer William Smith profile from the Joplin History people archive.
Nov 16, 1909
BLOODHOUND'S TRAIL LEADS TO K. C. SOUTHERN TRACKS
Assailant of Policemen Graney and Smith is Still at Large.
REWARD IS OFFERED
Officers and Citizens are desirous of Schmolbach's Capture.
CONDITION CRITICAL
Smith is Not Expected to Live; Graney Will Be a Cripple.
Patrolman Will Smith may die and Patrolman Tim Graney will be a cripple for life as the result of being shot by William Schmolbach at the corner of Eighth and Main streets at 11:15 o'clock last night. Schmolbach, known as "Billy Smoothbox," made his escape and a reward of about $400 has been offered for him dead or alive by the City officials and by private subscription. The injured officers were arresting two women, one of whom was Schmolbach's wife, charged with running an immoral house at 803 Main street.
The country was scoured by posses of officers and citizens last night, and a bloodhound was used this morning to no avail. It is thought that he has gone south, and notices have been sent to officers throughout the southwest giving his description.
The women were being arrested in connection with the raid commenced yesterday morning, and had to be forced to go with the officers. Schmolbach is well known in Joplin and is said to have often threatened the lives of police officers.
He used a 32 caliber automatic revolver and five shots were fired by him in the encounter.
Bloodhound Leads to Railroad
Special Officers W. W. and J. A. Connor arrived this morning from Aurora bringing their bloodhound, "King." The dog was taken to a room where he was allowed to take the scent from Schmolbach's shoes and clothing, and given access to his bed.
The dog then was taken over to the street corner where the shooting occurred and immediately took the scent. It proceeded diagonally across the street to the southeast corner of Eighth and Main, and went east on the south side of Eighth. It turned in at a house near Kentucky avenue but took up the trail again on the walk in front, following it east as far as Grand avenue. It went south to the Banker's land, and across it to the southeast corner of the tract, then a block east to Indiana avenue. It went north on Indiana on the west side of the street and crossed Fifteenth street. About fifty feet north of Fifteenth Street the hound stopped but took the trail to a spot about three feet east of the Kansas City Southern tracks. Here the hound stopped and refused to go farther, but on a back track switched off about fifty feet west of the track, and led to a bunch of weeds and high grass where the pursued man had probably lain while waiting for his train.
A Kansas City Southern freight went through, southbound about two o'clock this morning, and it is on this train that he is supposed to have made his escape. At the point where the trail stopped the trains are unable to move rapidly because of a very steep grade, and a man would not have to be an expert to board one.
The hound will be kept here a few days for use in case a fresh clue should be discovered, and will be taken to points along the railroad if a clue can be secured.
No Visitors for Mrs. Schmolbach
Jessie Schmolbach was arraigned in police court this morning and pleaded not guilty to a charge of lewd conduct. She was very cautious and sometimes impudent in her replies to the judge, and denied the charges. She asserted that her friend, Maud Martin, was in her employ, and that she received $3 a week for her services.
Mrs. Schmolbach probably will have her trial December 1st. She was unable to give bond for her appearance, and while in jail has not been allowed to receive visitors.
Both Officers Wounded
Mrs. Jessie Schmolbach, wife of the man who did the shooting, and her companion, Maude Martin, known to the police as "Piggy," asked that they be taken down Joplin Street to the police station instead of being taken down Main, in accordance With their request, the officers with their prisoners cut diagonally across the street to the northwest corner and turned west on Eighth. Patrolman Smith and the Martin woman were in front, the woman walking a little ahead of the officer. A few feet behind them followed Mrs. Schmolbach and Officer Graney. Just as the last couple disappeared behind the building, someone called out from a few feet north on Main Street for them to wait. Evidently, the Schmolbach woman recognized her husband's voice, for she turned and started in that direction. Patrolman Graney stopped her and Officer Smith ran back to the corner to see what was the matter.
Without parlance or further conversation, Schmolbach is said to have drawn a revolver and opened fire, first shooting Smith, who was on the outside of the walk, hitting him in the abdomen. Smith fell, pinning Graney to the building, placing him in such a position that it was impossible to draw his gun. He then fired at Graney, the bullet passing clear through his right knee and entering the other with sufficient force to break the bone. Schmolbach then ran east on Eighth Street, Smith shooting at him three times as he crossed the street, but none of the shots took effect, and the fleeing man disappeared in the darkness.
Patrolman Burns was on his beat three blocks north of the shooting and rushed to the scene, and found his comrades in an unconscious condition. The police station was notified, and all of the reserve officers and day force were called from their beds, the township and county authorities notified, and the search was on. Meanwhile, the injured men were taken from the scene of the shooting, Smith to the hospital and Graney to the police station. Graney became sufficiently conscious to tell the circumstances of the affair, and the above version is taken from his story.
Women Excited by Shooting. The women ran to a nearby drug store where one of them fell in a faint. Later they were removed to the police station. Chief of Police John McManamy was called out of bed, and with his assistant, Clarence Kier, commanded the search. All trains were watched, and the railroad yards were thoroughly searched by the officers. The telephone was used and all officers of cities within 250 miles were informed of the affair before morning. The Anti Horse Thief Association was put on the case and automobiles dashed all over the district carrying officers who searched many suspicious places. The old deserted mining plants east of Joplin were all visited by the officers and all old dump piles were visited by the officers. The awful downpour of rain that fell all during the search greatly handicapped the officers, as it was impossible to see many feet in the penetrating blackness, even with the aid of powerful lights. A postal card photograph of the man wanted was sent to a nearby engraving works and reproductions of it will be sent to all officers in the southwest conveying an offer of $100 reward by the chief of police.