Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-10-18
GLEN cRuzEN AND HOMER JOHN
SON, ACCUSED OF MURDE OF.
JOHN sToKER, ARRESTED BY
oTTuMWA OFFICERS.
AGED OsKALOOSd
4 AN rs THE " 'l.N
susF .:cTs MAKE WRITTEN CON
FEssIoN TO oTTuMWA AND os-
KALoosA OFFICIALS; PLACE
BLAME ON EACH OTHER.

Glen Cruzen, aged Is, and Homer
Johnson, aged rs, both Of Oskaloosa,
and wanted at that place for the bru-
tai murder of John Stoker, q wealthy
retired farmer, were captured here
last night by Night Captain Matt Mier
and Patrolman Frank Harris The two
men made confession to the OF
tumwa officers this morning in the
presence OF Chief of Police John Rug
genberg of Oskaloosa and Special De-
tective c. Y. Muir Of the Iowa Central
railway. in which they declared that
they held UP Stoker for his money.
They both made written confessions.
not knowing at the time that Stoker
had died Of the injuries inflicted.
Murder Was Mort Brutal.
The murder of John Stoker was one
of the most brutal crimes in the Grim
inal annals of Iowa and the citizens Of
Oskaloosa are greatly wrought up over
the matter. According to Chief of Po-
lice Ruggenberg, Stoker was last seen
in Oskaloosa Saturday night In COM
pany with johnson and CruZen. Stoker
WAS intoxicated and waA t{aFtlinfs a
,bfg ron of bills: Chief Ruggerberg
states that the men took him to the
rooming house Of Mrs. Pearson, 307
First avenue west. The body Of Stoker
was found Sunday afternoon about 2
o'clock A note was found on the
dresser, supposed to have been written
bv Stoker. stating that he was tired OF
life and that he was going to blow his
4, inc, nI 1v0 yIyoc q
near by. An examination of the body
by police and physicians showed that
the face and neck were black and blue.
Blood was running from his mouth and
nostrils and finger imprints were found
on his neck. The man had been choked
to death. Suspicion was Immediately
directed toward Johnson and Cruzen.
as they had gone to a livery stable at
Oskaloosa and hired rig and team
and driver. starting for Ottumwa.
Killed Horse in Escaping.
In leaving Oskaloosa the horses
were driven so fast that one Of the ami
mails became exhausted and dropped
dead in it's tracks.
Another horse was secured from Os-
kaloosa and the liveryman was given
500 for the horse that was killed. The.
suspects are supposed to have reached
Ottumwa about s o'clock. Here they
purchased new suits OF the same de-
sign from local clothier, whom they
induced to open his store on Sunday.
They bought complete outfits, amount
ing to $50. They also purchased a new
hat for Harvey Fortune, q loe bar
ber, who was friend Of Johnson's.
The suspects stated that they intended
leaving Ottumwa early this morning
for Kansas City on the Southwest Linn
ited
Come From Good Families.
Cruzen is the son of j. B. Cruzen, a
wealthy retired farmer, and one Of the
most prominent citizens of OskaloOsa.
Johnson is a painter and his family is
highly respected The Ottumwa police
received no word until about o'clock
last night. Captain Matt Mier received
telephone message from Chief Rug.
genberg of Oskaloosa asking that he To-
cate the men but not stating at the
time they we're wanted for murder.
Chief Ruggenberg stated that he would
arrive in the city at 10 o'clock on the
Rock Island. Night Captain Matt Mier
and FdLFOlIudu f1dTIIS lIuHlculdlClys SOl
on the case and had the men under
surveillance.
When the Oskaloosa officer reached
the city, Night Captain Mier and Pa
trolman Harris took them to room
ing house on East Main street where
Cruzen and Johnson we're sleeping.
They were arrested and taken to the
police station, where they were placed
In separate cells At the time of arrest
both Johnson and Cruzen insisted on
their innocence of the crime, and
wanted to know what they were ar
rested for When searched, $270 was
found on Johnson's person and $21.70
was found on Cruzen. Assisted by the
Oskaloosa officers. Night Captain Mier
and Patrolman Harris gave the two
men severe examination, but not un-
til early this morning did they secure
a written confession. They acknowl-
edged holding Stoker up for his money.
Both tried to blame the other for the
crime. Cruzen made the <irst confes.
sion. telling the details of the crime
and stating that Johnson took the
money. Johnson at first refused to
make confession. 1t was secured by
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