The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-09-01
A MIDNIGHT ATTACK.
Robbers Brutality Beat and Rob
a Vashon Islander.
AsEARcH FOR HIDDEN TREASURE
Cruel Assault on Old John Hstxsl-v.in
search Tor Gold Two Suspects
Arrested, One His Wife.

One of the most brutal outraees that has
ever occurred in King county was perpe-
trated at Vashon island Tuesday night. A
German rancher named John HetzeI was
enticed to the door of his cabin bv two
men who demanded his money and. on
being refused, bound his hands and feet.
beat him in q horrible manner and. after
Yobbing the house, left him for dead. One
Of the men was masked, but the other was
not, and on the statement ST Hetzel before
Prosecuting Attorney Miller Yesterday.
warrants were sworn out charging Cheru-
bino SimoneIli, Of S03 Third street, with
being one of the assailants. At AS
o'clock yesterday afternoon the accused
was arrested and is now in the CITY Jail.
Further excitement was created at Ais by
the arrest of Hetzel's wife on suspicion of
being connected with the affair.
John Hetzel lives on the north end of
Vashon island, about twelve miles from
Seattle by water, in q one-story log cabin.
For several weeks he has been alone.
About 2 weeks ago he received about $500
from Eph Lander, in payment for some
land, and hid it in his cabin. Tuesday
night at 10 O'Clock some one raped at the
door and called out:
'Can you show Us the trail to Nc.
Donald's?"
The old man went to the door, opened
1t and looked out. As he did 10 two re-
volvers were showed in his face and the
words ''Give US your money" came from
one of the men.
Hetzel replied, II have none," and as he
said 80 got good view of the men. One
was masked and he could not recognize
him; the other, he says. was Cherubino
Simoneili. On his refusal to deliver his
money. one of the men dealt him q blow
between the eyes with the butt of a re-
volver. Hetzel grabbed for his assaiiant
but was no match for the two men. They
dubbed him, threw him down ana kicked
his PROSTATE form. They then threw him
into corner and went to the barn, soon
returning with two pieces Of cord, one a
half-inch rope and the other cordage
Irvine. Hetzel was stood up, his arms
twisted behind him and securely bound.
His feet were next bound and then they
threw him on the bed.
The robbers hunted the house thoroughly
for the hidden treasure, but could not find
1t, although several times they were close
upon it. They were evidently disguised
at this and determined to clean out the
ranch to make up for their disappoint-
ment. for they took . silver watch and
chain from q nail on the wall, single,
muzzle-loading shotgun, a cartridge case
containing 45-caliber Winchester shells. q
sack Of -four, pail Of lard, sack Of wheat
and some other smaller articles. While
they were collecting the booty they would
frequently go over to the bed and feel their
victims pulse. Hetzel lay like log and
they evidently considered him uncon-
scious or dead. He says that once the
masked man dropped q remark to the
effect that he was the brother of Hetzel's
wife.
After they had gotten all the goods they
wanted they gave Hetzel . few parting
kicks, took the lantern and carried the
booty to the shore. They returned and
went to the chicken house and during
their absence the old man got the ropes on
his legs loosened aud rolled Off the bed.
He crept ont of the house. through the
orchard and hid himself in Pile of brush.
The burglars went from the barn back to
the house and evidently became
alarmed at Hetzel's escape be-
cause they came out, looked hurriedly
about tho yard and went away. When
"bitched" along the trail to McDonald's,
his nearest neighbor, q half mile north.
He reached the house in an exhausted
condition about l o'clock. His cries
awakened the family and he was taken
into the house, his bonds cut and his story
earned.
Mcdonald was indignant and would
have followed the desperadoes single
handed. but his wife cntreated him to get
assistance. He went to the house Of Will
lam Kruger, and together they started for
Hetzels cabin. John Stier. an old COM
panion of Hetzel's, was notified and joined
the party. The trail to the cabin was
marked by the blood from Hetzers
wounds, and the cabin itself was
IN great disorder. The floor was
covered with blood and the
eovering Of the bed saturated. A lantern
was still burning in the yard under . tree.
The henyard presented a strange appear
hnce. The fowls had been tied in pairs
with cloth strings torn from some sheet or
cotton cloth, and were piled up as if ready
for shipment Tracks Of two persons led
Town to the beach. where everything indi-
tated plainly that q boat had been drawn
bp on the shore. Two or three rollers,
ouch as are used in lighthouses. had been
left. The tracks on the shore were meas
bred that they might be used as evidence.
After finding that the men had escaped
bhe pursuers returned to Hetxel and con-
suded 20 come to Seattle and make COM
plant against his ASSISTANTS. Hetxei was
weak from loss of blood. and suffered from
pains in the chest, but made the trip on
The steamer Glide all right. and went di-
rect to Prosecuting Attorney Mulers
olhce. where he swore TO the facts of the
Assault substantially as given. He said he
vas sure it was Simonelli, because he came
Tor his (Hetxei's) wife's trunk. when she
left him about July Is, and he could not
mistake the face The only reason he had
Tor thinking the masked man was his
Niie's brother was the statement ne
made while beating him. On the strength
efthis statement, reinforced by the sup
Elemental knowledge of Kruger and Stier
three warrants were sworn out before
Justice Won Tobel, the iirss for robbery.
The second for burglary and the third for
assault with a deadly weapon, The war
rants were turned over to the police ana
I'll IS o'clock Simonelli was arrested at
his home on Third street by Detective
Gave He readily accompanied the ofhcer,
Ind said there must be some mistake. a
search warrant was placed IN Detective
Caves hands and the house " rs ransacked
nom top 10 bottom, but not trace OF any
81 the stolen property was found.
About IS O'Clock in the afternoon De-
tectiye Roberts came into headquarters
accompanied hy Mrs. Emily Hetzei. After
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