Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2025 All Rights Reserved USGenNet Data Repository Please read USGenNet Copyright Statement on this page: Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott for the USGenNet Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ =========================================================================== USGenNet Data Repository Notice: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization. Non-commercial organizations desiring to use this material must obtain the consent of the transcriber prior to use. Individuals desiring to use this material in their own research may do so. ============================================================================= Formatted by USGenNet Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. ============================================================================= Detroit Free Press Friday, 10 September, 1880 Midland, September 9. - A tragedy occurred at the Midland County Jail last night which will probably result in the death of a valued citizen. The prisoner in the jail here was in the main cell up stairs; the Sheriff, JOHN RYAN, went up to order the pri- soner in his sleeping cell, when the prisoner struck the Sheriff twice on the head with a brick tied up in a towel, felling him to the floor senseless. He then kicked the Sheriff several times in the face. MRS. RYAN, The Sheriff's wife, hearing the disturbance, ran up stairs to her husband's assistance. The prisoner then attacked MRS. RYAN, holding her by the hair of the head, kicking her and threw her down stairs. She then ran to the outside door and cried for help. By this time RYAN had recovered his senses and came down stairs to get the prisoner, who was endeavoring to escape. The prisoner and Sheriff then clinched, when the latter drew his revolver and fired at the prisoner, hitting him in the side, and was in the act of firing again, when ex- Sheriff, ALFRED AVERY, who had heard the alarm from the street, ran in to assist, passing between RYAN and the prisoner, and received the second shot in the back, just above the hip, the ball, which was of large caliber, pass- ing upwards in AVERY'S body. The prisoner was secured at last. AVERY was conveyed to his office weak from the loss of blood where the doctors probed for the ball without result. He has lain at the office since, unable to be moved, and at this writing is sinking fast. SHERIFF RYAN is badly injured about the face and head, but will recover. The shot in the prisoner's body did not penetrate far, following the ribs beneath the skin, and has been extracted. The prisoner is not well known in this neighborhood, is supposed to be foolish or crazy, and was confined for a few days since for chopping down telegraph poles. ALFRED AVERY is an old and esteemed citizen of Midland, was Sheriff of the county for two terms, and a most excel- lent officer, standing high as a man and citizen. He has a wife and one child. Great sorrow exists in the village over the sad affair. ===============================================================================