The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1908-09-03
SHOT TO DEATH IN
FIGHT WITH PAIR
Of ROBBERS
pANiTl WALSER, PROPRIETOR
OF CIGAR STAND AND CONFEC-
TiONERY, THE vicTIM-POLlCE
HAVE SUSPECT LOCKED UP.

W tlt DOlitt, W 40 lllt III OF
to be caught In the drag net that has
been thrown out for suspects IN con-
nection with the murder OF Dan Wal
ser in his confectionery store At No.
105 Woodward-ave. az 1890 o'clock,
Wednesday night.
Corcoran was hanging around the
city hall steps, where the street news
boys make their headquarters, about
1870 o'clock, Thursday morning, wait
ing for paper, the officers say, as
though he were anxious TO see some
thing II contained. When Detectives
Palmer and Bodinus accosted aim he
began to make all sorts OF excuses
for beng there and they decided To
lock him up. He Is detained In CEN
trail station. Corcoran Is 80 years old
and gave his address as No. 1870 Mich
igan-ave. He has served time on
more than one conviction.
NJ Beeks, Wabash switchman, liy'
Ing at No. "a Sixteenth-st., called az
police headquarters about o'clock
with what appeared to be promising
clue. While at work In the yards IN
the vicinity OF Twelfth st. just before
2:30 O'Clock, two men, whom he sized
up as tramps. though fairly we'll
dressed, approached him and asked
direction for reaching Adrian by
freight. One OF the men was about
Ave feet seven inches In height and
was hareheaded, while the other was
three or four inches taller and wore
a soft black hat,
A train was then beng made M and
Beeks pointed out row of empty box
hot faE fhnpN N their
destination. Later they jumped into
one OF the cars and Beeks. as IS the
custom shut the woor on them and
locked H.
Trainmen take no chances WITH
hoboes who are allowed 10 ride with
them and lock them in as prccau-
ton against possible hold-ups. a few
minutes later the train pulled out for
the Oakland yards. where there was
considerable switching to be done be-
fore II finally started on its way.
On his return home. after his nights
work, Beeks learned of the tragedy.
and became interested at once over
the3report that one OF the men lost
his hat in the struggle with their VIC
tim He recalled the bareheaded man
and his companion instantly, and lost
no time in reporting the incident to
the police. Detective Dick Stenton
was detailed TO accompany him TO the
lakewood yards in the hope Of appre-
hending the pair before the freight
pulled out.
The two men answer in general
way the description given by Charles
+. Hartman. grocer at No 7b1 Wood
ward.ave.. of two men seen running
from the scene OF the tragedy.
Robbery Plainly the Motive.
That Walser was shot as a result
of an attempt to rob him. which he
frustrated. Is the theory OF the police.
Walser locked up the store shortly
after 10 o'clock and went to the saloon
of Benz +. Glines, No. 1923 Woodward
ave. where he drank glass OF beer.
About 1920 o'clock he returned to
the store. and it is believed. was fol.
lowed by the two men. The theory
is that the men asked for a package
of tobacco and that as Walser turned
to take the package shelf back
OF the counter one OF them struck him
from behind. intending to knock him
senseless and then rob him.
But the blow missed or there was
q hitch somewhere, for there are many
evidences Of a struggle in the store.
A show came was broken and in the
struggle one of the would-be robbers
lost his hat, which, thus far. is the
only tangible clue 10 the identity of
the pair. II Is derby, size 7, bearing
the label, "Frankland brand"
Failing to overpower Walser. the
robbers evidently resorted to revolv-
-ers- to effect their escape, and after
shooting down the proprietor, fed from
the scene at once without stopping to
carry out their original robbery plans.
The money drawer, when the police
arrived, eofftatuet about 81 and some
$12 was found in Walser's pockets.
Two shots were fired. Grocer Hart
man heard them and went out to In
vestigate, when he saw two men run
ming away from Walser's place toward
John R.-st.. one block east. A moment
later Walser emerged from the store
-and-fe -Aeap-eff- -siticwrtk
Patrolman James Michaelak was
promptly at his side and called Har-
per ambulance. Walser died while
being carried into the hospital without
having uttered word
Get Drinks at Nearby Saloon.
About Is minutes before the shoot
ing two men were drinking in John
Spears saloon, at No. 697 Woodward
ave. They appeared to be of n rather
rough sort. One of them was about
six feet in height and about 23 years
of age. while the other appeared to be
10 years older and five feet eight
inches in height. There is POSSIBLE
ity that these were the men who kill.
ed Walser. Spears heard them speak
OF taking a car to Pontiac.
Walser was So years old and had
been divorced from his wife, He had
his living apartments In the rear of
the store.
Both OF the shots fired took effect,
one penetrating Walser's left chest
and the other striking his right arm