The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1904-12-01
Investigation Shows Attack Near
kimmsHick Was Not for
Robbery.
VICTIMS TONGUE TORN OUT.
Theory of Old Enemy Advanced
After Sheriff Spends Day
at House on the
Bluffs.

Investigation shows that Frederick l..
brakes wounds. sustained Tucst'a~ night
al his home OH the bluffs above kimns-
wick small station on the Iron Noun
tain Railroad. twenty miles south of 81
Louis. were inflicted by d shotgun.
The theory is now advanced that his
assailant was probably an enemy who
had waited long time for his opportu-
nifty.
Sheriff Thornton Hensley of Jefferson
County went TO kimmswick yesterday
and made a thorough inspection Of the
premises. At the front door. where the
shooting occurred, the evidence was rlain
that Drake mad been wounded by 4 shot
gun.
The wounded man. who is at the Alexian
Brothers Hospital. No. :a33 South Broad
way. is in precarous condition. His
lower JAZZ is shattered, his tongue torn
ont. and his face and head covered with
wounds
Sheriff Hensley spent the entire day at
Kimmswick. but failed TO find any clew
as to the perpetrators OF the crime, as
nothing was left by them that would fur
nish evidence as to their identity.
Drake thought he had been struck. but
at the front door arc marks of powder.
and about in range with the wounded
mans head as he opened the door. Il
charge of shot was imbedded in the cell
ing. There is a black streak against the
eide of the house where the assailant
placed his weapon. a twelve-borc shotgun.
The affair is veiled in impenotrable
mystery. as the investigation showed the
motive was not robbery. What was first
supposed to indicate that the house had
been ransacked. probably was only caused
by the wounded mans search for Goth
with which 10 bandase his wound before
he started for the hospital
Mr.. Drake had lived on the bluffs over
Kimmswick about two years. moving there
from the South. He never disclsset, his
past life. and was somewhat of a mystery
to his neighbors. He was courteous and
obliging. and. man of wealth. He was
universally known for his kindness, AMI
especially to the tramps. man was
meyer turned away from his door hungry,
it is said.
II Drake recovers he will in all probabil-
ity be without the yor of speech.
An artificial jaw ill have to be con-
structed for his. use. and this will include
an artificial lip.
Because of his condition. the hospital
surgeons will not permit him to see Wis
itors. 4. T
His statement to the surgeons is that
some unknown person called at his door
about 1915 oclo Tuesday night and he
was knocked sci .ess with the first shot.
Recovering consciousness and being
alone in his home. he crawled a quarter of
mile TO a neiGhboris house. the home of
Michael Tierney. Tierney called in Doc
tor Hirt. who Immediately ordered the
wounded man taken to hospital. Tier
ney and his son brought him to the Alex
ian Brothers Hospital. arriving at 4:50
o'clock in the morning.
Drake is 45 years of age is 6 feet in
height. weighs 225 pounds. and is reputed
to be very wealthy and his home and sur
roundings give every evidence of wealth
and refinement His home at kimmswick
is elegantly furnished. his stock is all OF
the best breeds. and the improvements
around the farm are substantial and per
manently constructed.
He is well educated musician and
often entertains his friends with vocal Sc
lectiOns, to which he plays bis accompani-
ment upon rne plano in his home.
His wife Ged several years ago at the
plantation home near Natchez, Miss.
Shortly afterward he sold the plantation
and left the scenes of his 70 mer home for
ST. Louis 1t is related by those who have
known him intimately for years that be
was so devoted to his wife that he could
remain no longer amid the scenes of their
happy home after her death and his only
sorrow is the loss of his companion. Since
her death he has lived almost in seclusion,
preferring the palatial home on the bluffs
above the Mississippi TO the more busy
scenes of city life.
He occasionally entertains friends from
among a select circle formed during his
short residence In St. Louis. and Is on
friendly terms with his near neighbors