The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1908-06-04
A THRILLING TRAGEDY.
Woman Abducted and Kidnape,
Killed Near Millersburg.

qucn. rescue by pursuing posse
The oead:
William Pattison, thirty-four years
old, driver of a. naphtha launch at
Lake Wawasee, and son-in-law of DR..
Franks, of Ligonier.
The wounded:
Ernest Franks. of Ligonier. son OF
Dr. Franks, bullet wound in side; con-
dition not serious.
The collapsed woman:
Mrs. J. NJ. Sargent, wife of boat
manufacturer of Syracuse, Ind.
The killing of Pattison and the
wounding of Franks took place Just
east of Millersburg, about nine miles
from Ligoner, and the shots were ex-
changed by Pattison, who with Mrs.
Sargent and F. A. Hoover was in one
automobile, and a posse which had
set out from Ligonier to rescue Mrs
Sargent and who were in a large
touring car of the Sol Mier company.
Pattison emptied his revolver when
the possemen came up to him, and
one of the shots struck Franks in
the side. Pluckily ignoring his wounds
Franks returned the fire but it is be-
lieved that none of his shots took
effect. Others of the possemen took
aim and one of the bullets struck Pat
tison in vital part, causing his death.
When the battle had been concluded
and Mrs. Sargent had been taken
Charge OF by the men who had set out
to rescue her, she utterly collapsed
and it is believed she is in a serious
condition.
Hoover, the man who was with Pat
tison, was placed under arrest but
was afterward released as he proved
that he had been duped by Pattison,
believing the boat driver to be a fed
eral officer on the trail of a criminal
Posing as government secret SER
vice agent, Pattison had induced
Hoover, who is the proprietor OF the
Hotel Goldsmith, in Ligonier, to aid
him in the capture of Mrs Sargent,
who, Pattison had said. was wanted
by the government on charge of
counterfeiting. Mrs. Sargent had been
a guest at the Franks home and this
afternoon, when she started In a bug
gy with DR.. Franks to drive TO Crom-
well for the purpose of catching a
B. & 0. train for her home at SYRIA
cuse, Pattison and Hoover followed
them in Hoover's automobile.
Before the physician and the wom-
an had gotten beyond the residence
section OF the citv he automobile
came up behind them and both were
startled when Pattison jumping from
the motor car, pulled revolver, lev
eled at the physician mead and or.
dered him to halt.
Although the holdup took place
within speaking distance OF a number
OF houses, including that of the night
Waterman OF Ligonier, no assistance
was at hand and DR. Franks did as he
was ordered. While Pattison kept him
covered with the revolver Hoover
believing that he was doing his duty
in assisting an officer, went over TO
the buggy and Selling Mrs. Sargent,
carried her in spite OF her struggles
and agonized screams for help, to the
automobile, holding her a prisoner,
while Pattison ordered DIR. Franks 70
turn about and drive the other wa :
The instant the physician turned,
Hoover turned on the power in his
car and the two men with their ter
rified prisoner speed out into the
country.
DR.. Franks, realizing the futility OF
coping with armed men or OF racing
his horse against q motor car, drove
quickly back into the city and with
the town marshal organized a posse
OF half-dozen determined men in
GLIDING Ernest Franks, his son and
a brother of Mrs. Pattison The Sol
Mier company had one of ITS large
motor cars handy and the possemen
jumped into it and were hurried
across country on the trail of the b.
ductors.
News OF the kidnapping OF Mrs. Sar-
gent quickly spread over the citv
causing tremendous excitement and
word was telephoned ahead, SO that
the pursuers were kept posted by per-
sons along the roads as to the route
taken by Pattison. Nine miles were
covered before the possemen caugh,
sight OF their quarry and then came
up with the fugitive automobile just
as it was east of Millersburg.
The work OF rescue was made short
Patt;son Immediately assumed the of
fensiYe but after he hao shot Frank.
he was laid low by bullet that none
OF the pursuing party claims. When
Mrs. Sargent was rescued she showed
the marks of terrible choking which
Pattison had given her in the automo-
bile on the road TO Millersburg.
| That the whole plan of Pattison
was rhe product of a deranged mind
no one doubts, but it is the opinion
OF many that his brain was fired by
liquor Absolutely no motive for hi:
kidnapping Mrs. Sargent is advanced
The woman had been a close friend !,
the family and had been known b,
Pattisoi. himself for years.
Pattison resided at Wawasee lake
running naptha launch in the sum
mer and taking care of the Wawase,
river Several weeks ago he and hi,
Z. L. D,t