The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1911-06-30

UIANhAIO II NEE TnE
"a security bond, obtained a berth as
ticket agent at the Rock Island sta
ton in Albert Lea at 1920 Monday
night, took in $54 and an hour later
vamoosed with the money on the
southbound train. He was caught
at Cedar Rapids and agreed to re-
turn to Albert Lea and take his
medicine for the offense.
Miss Dorothy Kranz, clerk in L.
Rauck's store liz block IA. was the
heorine of a sensational attempt to
rob the store this forenoon, and it
was her ready wit and determination
and fearlessness that prevented the
would-be robber from carrying out
his plans. Miss Kranz proved to be
equal to a desperate emergency.
When Miss Kranz, who is but a
young girl, of frail build, opened the
store at $50 o'clock this morning
she found man in the store. She
entered by the front door, and heard
a noise in the rear room and went
back to investigate. AS she entered
the doorway to the rear room she
was confronted by dark complex
toned man in clothing that appeared
to be sOiled by contact with the
ground, and who had a rough man.
ner.
Spoke Roughly to Girl.
What do you want here?" de-
manded the intruder of the
young lady. She replied that she
was going to open the rear door,
and she went past him and unbolted
the door, AS she turned back, the
fellow grabbed hold of her arm. but
she ordered him to let go of her.
She asked him whether he had been
in the store all night, and he replied
with an oath that it was none of her
business. There is money in the
store and / want it." he added Miss
Kranz firmly refused to tell him
where it was.
At this, the man drew from his
pocket a dangerous appearing knife,
with black handle and long and
curved blade, and holding it threat
eningly he Kissed: "Ill jab this
through you if you do not tell me
where the money isl
Struck Hand a Blow.
Miss Kranz's reply was to strike
his hand blow with his first and
the knife fell from his clasp to the
floor. She quickly picked it up. She
then started to go toward the front
of the store when the man again
grabbed her and wanted to know
where the money was. Again Miss
Kranz refused to tell and at that
the man struck her hard blow
upon the side of her forehead, knock
ing her to the floor He then ran
out of the rear door and disap-
peared. ff
AS soon as Miss KranZ was able |
to pick herself up, she went to Mar
tin & Hoerr's store and told Mr..
Hoerr of the occurrence, and he at
once called the police station. All
of the officers were sent out to
search for the man.
Description of the Fellow.
Miss Kranz describes the man as
being about five feet, seven inches
tall, rather dark skin, wearing a
black derby hat, blue shirt, dirt
covered trousers and suspenders, and
appearing like hobo or man who
had been working in the dirt.
There was money in the cash
register, but the register had not
ing from the store.
1t is a mystery how the man got
in, for front and back doors were
locked, and it is possible that he hid
in the store last night and was lock
ed in and went to sleep there. Mr..
Hauck closed the store at 1870 a.
m. Contrary to his usual custom,
he left the front doors open while
he did his work in the rear room,
as it was so hot, but he listened for
anyone entering, but heard no one.
Did Not Detect Liquor.
Miss KranZ states That the would
be robber seemed to be perfectly
sober and she did not detect the
smell of liquor about him.
The officers and city officials were
particularly anxious to catch this
fellow, on account Of the boldness
and brutality of his actions. The
store is located only short stones
throw from the police station, and at
the time of day when the act was
committed the street is filled with
people. If the man is caught he will
no doubt be given time to regret his
action.
Miss Kranz resides with her par
ents, Mr.. and Mrs. N. Kranz, TIT
North Fifth street. She attended to