The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1900-05-18
BULLETS FLY.
Two Well Known Citizens Pull
Guns on Each
Other.
P. S. LObdell Receives Three
Wounds at the Hands of
Geo. E. Keene.
The Unfortunate Affair was the
Outcome of Trouble Over
a Building.
MIR. Keene Had Gained Posses
sion and MIR. LObdell was
Trying to Break In.
Both Men Placed Under Arrest
by Police Officers Who
Were Present.

A most unfortunate suOOtluS dhoiA
occurred at noonMonday on SouthFront
street, in the presence of score of peo-
pie. P. S. Lobdell, the meat market
proprietor, who resides in West Man
kato. received three wounds from bull
lets fred from revolver held in the
hands of Geo. E. Keene, the photo
grapher. The two fortunate things
about the affair were that none OF the
spectators were injured and that Mr..
Lobdelrs wounds were not of serious
nature.
The trouble arose over the lease OF
the building at sol South Front street.
Mr., Keene owns the building and two
wears ago next July 18th leased 1t to
Mr.. Lobdell for meat market, he IN
Outstanding that the rental was to be
S15 a month for the first year and $40
month after that, and Mr.. Lobdell I'M
derstanding that it was to be $lo a
month straight. When the first year
was up, Mr.. Keenewas lying i'll and one
of his employees, Miss Peterson, present
ed Mr.. Lobdell with the usual bill for
the first months of the second year.
When Mr.. Keene recovered, he asked
for the difference of $40 month and
was refused. A law suit ensued,
which was tried in the municipal court
a few weeks ago and was decided in
Mr.. Keene's favor. Mr.. Lobdell then
took an appeal to the district court
and the matter stands there.
A little over month ago, Mr.. Keene
served formal notice on Mr.. Lobdell to
vacate the property at the end of thirty
days, the time expiring Saturday last.
Mr.. Lobdell did not recognize the no.
tice as having legal effect and did not
move out. Mr.. Keene then consulted
his attorneys, w. N. Plymat and W.
E. Young, and was advised to secure
possession of the building during Mr..
Lobdells absence, and then to retain
possession at all hazards.
Monday forenoon between 10 and IL
o'clock Mr.. Keene managed to gain pos
session by means of ruse. Mr.. Lob
dell was at his West Mankato shop, and
his son, Frank, had charge of the South
Front street chop, Mr.. Keene ordered
some meat and requested that it be
sent to his house. Frank Lobdell car
ried it over, as the house was near by.
During his momentary absence, Mr..
Keene and his father, Madison Keene,
went to the meat market. Madison
Keene went in and fastened the doors
and windows. while his son stood
guard in front. When Frank Lobdell
returned, he declared that he would
get into the building, and at the same
time started to carry out his announced
intention. Geo. E Keene, after warn
ing him to keep away, grappled with
him and threw him to the sidewalk In
front of the market, where he held him
for a moment or two, until Madison
Keene had the building securely fas-
tened.
Geo. E. Keene then went inside of the
building, and Frank Lobdell went to
the nearest telephone and called up
his father at the West Mankato market
and told him what had occurred. P.
S, Lobdell Immediately came to the
South Front street market, where he
found the Keene's in possession not only
of the building but also of his tools and
meat. He held conversation with
Geo. E. Keene through the door, de-
handing admittance. Mr.. Keene re-
piled that he would not let anyone in,
that he was acting on legal advice, and
that Mr.. Lobdell had his legal remedy
He told Mr.. Lobdell that he was de-
termined to keep possession at all haz-
ards.
Mr.. Lobdell threatened to smash in
the door and procured large timber
with which to put his threat
into execution. Mr.. Keene OBJ
served the proceeding through
the window and warned Mr.. Lobdell
not to assault the door. as he intended
to protect the property even If he had
to shoot At the same time he exhibit
cd revolver. When Mr. Lobdell aw
the weapon, he sent to his home for his
own revolver.
he be given possession, and promised to