The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1892-08-19
MURDEROUSLY- ASSAULTED.
Leonard ROway Robbed and left Bleed
ing in Lonely Spot Late
Last Night.
His Assailant Believed to be a Fellow
Employee in Brick Yard,
Who Hastily Leaves
the City.
The Victim Lies Unconscious and is
Not Expected to Recover
Officers i'm Pursuit.

occurred within the city limits was
committed between twelve and one
o'clock last night, and as a result
Leonard Roway lies unconscious and
at the point of death. He was as
Saulted and robbed by man believed
to have been fellow workman at
Willard & Polchow's brick yard. A
lonely place was selected for the deed,
south of the brick yard, just past a
low wooden culvert under the Mil
waukee railroad track, and near a
shanty in which the victim sometimes
slept.
The man who is suspected of having
committed the deed is Frank Gieffer,
man about 30 years of age, who a
month ago was defendant in divorce
suit brought by his wife upon the
ground of cruel and inhumah treat
ment, but which was afterwards
dropped. Roway and Gieffer were
seen in company at one or more sa-
looms late last night, though Roway
started home alone. Pay clay at the
brick yard is the 18th day of each
month and Roway drew $29. When
last seen last night he had two SO
bills. 1t is thought that his assailant
knew of his having this money and as
saulted him for the purpose of rob-
berry. When found Roway's pockets
were empty.
The injured man received blow
from club upon the left temple,
crushing in the skull, and several
other severe blows about his head.
His fingers were bleeding and swollen,
indicating that terrible fight must
have occurred, and bloody spot is to
be seen upon the ground near the
shanty, and his hat was found lying
near. Several pieces of cordwood are
also near by. Roway was conscious
for time this morning, and Gieffer
called upon him at 6 o'clock when it
is stated that Roway recognized him
and told him "You did this" and
that Gieffer Immediately left.
He was seen walking up the MilWau-
kee railroad track toward the depot,
before train time. He boards at the
MinneOpa house and left there early
this morning. The city and county
officers are searching for him. Chief
Yates and deputy Bowen went to
Wells this afternoon. If Gieffer is the
guilty man, it is probable that he
wcnU to the shanty to see how badly
he had hurt Roway, and when he
found his critical condition and that
he was recognized skipped out, fear
ing the consequences.
Mrs. Bridget ROway recently pur-
chased house on S. Front street, but
her husband occasionally slept in the
shanty. He was lying there uncOn-
scious this forenoon, when seen by a
FREE PRESS reporter. The spectacle
was gaStly one, for blood was oozing
from many terrible wounds. A num-
Der of half-terrified children were
about and crowded into the small room
to see what was going on. DR.. War
ner was called early in the morning
and had washed the wounds.
Roway was removed to the house on
South Front street during the day,
and this afternoon his wounds were
dressed by Drs. Warner, Davis and
Webster. From the latter we learn
that ROway has chance to live,
though the probabilities are that he
will not. Five wounds were found
upon his head. The severeSt was
above the left temple, the bone hav-
ing been broken and the covering of
the brain lacerated from the blow of
some blunt instrument. The brain is
exposed and considerable hemOrrhage
occurred. Twenty-eight pieces of
bone were extracted, from the size of
finger nail to one-fourth that size.
The middle finger upon the left hand
was crushed and the third finger on
the right hand broken. There were
no signs of stabbing or biting. During
the operation Roway was semi-con-
SciOuS.
At the Minneopa house we learn
that Gieffer had boarded there for a
month, and ows for board since Aug.
18th. He left some personal effects
and sewing machine. Last night it
is thought that he came in quite late.
He had his breakfast this morning at
his usual hour, before six o'clock, and
has not been seen since. His wife
went to Iowa couple of weeks ago,
and it is possible that he has gone to
join her. He had very quick tenn
per and acted impulsivelv. His lepu-
tation has been good, and he was a
moe del boarder at the hotel.
Roway, after being so terribly slug
ged last night, managed to drag
himself into his shanty and was found
there at about $3.50 o'clock by some of
the men employed at the brick yard.
These were present when Gieffer en-
tered and was recognized by ROway,
but strange as it may seem made no
effort to stop him when he went away.
The police were not notified and knew
nothing of the matter until Gieffer
had plenty of time to escape. The
men at the brick yards think that
there is little doubt but that Grieffer
is the guilty party. He has worked
there since May, having been employed
at the oil mill previously. He is de-
scribed as good workman, but I'M
steady.