The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1901-08-08
II NAY Be MURDER !,
IS Farmer Seriously Wounded BY
Hishwayman at Elk River
Friday Evening.
The Hobo Has Not Been captured--
The State Offers . Reward
Of 5000.

Of 5000.
Geustaves Moritz, a young farmer liv-.
ing q few miles east Of Elk River was
shot and probably fatally wounded at s.
Q clock 'l last Friday evening.
Morltz had engaged a man for farm
work and when two miles out of here
the. stranger demanded his money.
Before Moritz could move, either to
comply with the demand or defend
himself, he was shot in the neck, the
ball narrowly missing the carotid
artery. This shot was probably acci-
dental, as the thug was extremely
nervous and fred unintentionally.
Although hard hit, Moritz grappled
with the man and threw him from the
wagon. The horses had been fright
ened by the shot and subsequent strug-
gle and were running, but before they
had got Moritz out of danger he was
thrown from the wagon himself.
The horses ran away, and Moritz,
upon regaining his feet, started to run,
with the robber in pursuit. For nearly
a mile the race continued and several
shots were fred. s.
Another shot took effect just below
Moritz heart and nearly pierced the
body, but fortunately did not perforate
either the stomach, or intestines, al
though in passing it cut an ugly cash
in the liver. -
The smaller towns were notified of
the affair and hundreds of citizens
have Joined in the chase after the
robber.
+ Moritz was quite weak from the loss
OF blood and could give but meager
story Of the affair. He was brought
into Elk River and given medical
attention. IT, .-.-. ...-.t.
i AS soon as the facts became known
cambridge, St. Francis, Zimmer-
man and Anoka, were communicated
with and NORTH description of the
Imam given. Each place turned out a
lgocd sized posse Of ssffss1en and the conn-
|try%for miles around is being searched,
land iris not believed that it. wilr be
possible for the man to escape. The
man who did the shooting came to Elk
River during the day. He is described
as about Is years old, smooth shaved
and with peculiar left eye. He is five
feet seven inches in hight and his hair
is shaven. we'll up on the top of his
head. 2 49, '..-..:
Saturday morning DR.. Cooney, of
this village, was called to assist the
local doctors. At their request he
1 performed an operation and discovered
that the victim was suffering from a
hemorrhage caused by the wound in
his liver. Steps were immediately
taken to control the bleeding, which
was finally accomplished. In the cavity
there was two quarts of blood and this
was removed and drains put in. Moritz
is sturdy farmer, a veritable athlete
in physique, and his heretofore healthy
condition is greatly in his favor.
The robber secured such a start that
it was deemed advisable to try blood
hounds in the. chase and Guard Cous-
ems, of the reformatory at St. Cloud
came in answer to the summons The
dog was taken to the scene of the
shooting, but owing tie the delay and
the tramping of the numerous visitors,
he was unable to get the scent of the
criminal, although several times he
followed NORTH trail through the
swamp. r. go i: u. =. 81.
All day Saturday and Sunday the
posses travelled and watched for the
criminal, but to no avail. Suspects
were arrested at Little Falls, North
Branch and other points but were SUBJ
sequently released. The police of
neighboring cities are on the alert and
it will be difficult for him to show up
anywhere without being detected.
State Auditor Dunn is in this vicinity
and at his suggestion the governor has
offered reward for the apprehension
! of the criminal. The State will give
$500 and it is likely Sherburne county
will add something to this. s.
- THE VICTIMS CONDITION.
Saturday morning Moritz was weak
!: from the loss of blood and at the con-
clusion of the operation was put to bed
with a pulse of l20and a high temper
AZURE, which continued throughout
until Tuesday. Yesterday his condi-
ton was Immensely improved, the
pulse and temperature having returned
| to nearly normal. Peritonitis was
feared but the conditions yesterday
noon gave the physicians hope that he
would escape. He is now resting easily
and is able to take some nourishment.