JUST RAN INTO BULLET.
Detective Explains Why He Shot
Through a Citizen's Coat.
"That man just ran against my bullet. I saw him before I fired and he was sixteen feet away, but he just ran into it."
Thus did Detective Charles Lewis explain to the police board yesterday how it happened that a bullet fired by him at Frank Elliott, an escaping prisoner arrested on Christmas day on a robbery charge, went through the coat and overcoat of J. N. Downing, a lumberman living at 707 Oak street. Downing lodged a complaint against the detective December 31.
"Well, he certaily must have been going some," commented Mayor Beardsley.
"Better be a little more careful next time," said Commissioner Jones.
Lewis was exonerated. The board at a previous meeting decided to pay Downing for his damaged coats.
The police board decided yesterday that Kansas City is to have the best shooting police force in the country. That is to say, its police are to be the best marksmen with their revolvers. Orders were given for regular target practice by the force. D. C. Stone has been appointed instructor in shooting and inspection of firearms. The indoor target range at the Third regiment armory will be used. Regualr practice is to be required of all policemen, and records will be kept of their marksmanship.
