Evening journal., 1911-10-30
WOMAN FIGHTS OFF
MURDEROUS MEN
CONTINUED From First Page)

Charles Smith and Frank McCloskey
spent last night at the house.
The farm hand received terrific
blow upon the had and at first 1t was
thought his skull was fractured. He
remained unconscious Tor number OF
hours, but Is now slowly regaining
his senses. although still in a coma
tose state There is no doubt concern
ing his recovery however.
Attack In Barn Yard.
The attack was made about $40
o'clock on Saturday night Drelko
had Just finished his work In the barn
and was preparing TO return to the
house. His little son, Albin, was
with him and the two had just step
ped from the barn door when the
/ elder Dreiko received a terrible blow
on the head, the negroes having laid
I'm wait for him. The boy fed to the
house as fast as his little legs could
carry him. Meantime the farmer
managed 10 stagger away from his as
sailants but they followed him, rain
! ing blow after blow on him. until he
! fell into a ditch filled with stones
and hedge wood. Whore he lay was
found a big clot OF blood yesterday
In fact the place looked as though
there had been a hog killing there
Woman Fights With Axe.
When the boy dashed into tho
house the farm hand who was seated
I'm the kitchen beside the stove sprang
from his chair and rushed out into
the darkness. He had not proceeded
far when struck on the head from be-
hind with n rock and he fell In a
heap 10 the ground Drejko had by
this time regained his feet and started
for the men, who turned upon him
again, this time knocking himself
senseless The negroes then began
to stamp him, the heel Of one Of the
fiends nearly gouging out one of the
victims eyes.
Having overcome the men, the ne
! groes probably thought the rest was
easy, and leaving them they started
! for the house TO finish their iiendish
undertaking, but met an obstacle
they had not considered. Mrs. Dreiko
peered into the darkness and when
she heard the dull thuds of bodies
falling to the ground she picked up an
axe and sprang upon the negroes. The
latter barely had time to escape the
! vicious blows the woman swung at
them and she viciously fought them
TO the barn which they entered. The
woman then ran back TO where the
unconscious men lay and managed to
drag both into the house and secured
the place before the negroes returned
70 the attack.
The object of the attack was. no
doubt, robbery. Dreiko sold a large
yield Of wheat last week and It Is
thought that the fiends we're after the
money il brought
State Detective Mccoy was appriscd
of the affair yesterday afternoon and
Immediately proceeded TO Mermaid TO
make an investigation. He worked upon
the case for several hours. returning
10 this city last night He again took
up the investigation early this morn
ing and arrests are expected shortly
] as II was said there are several sus-
poets. Mrs. Drejko has given a fairly
b good description Of the men
, Drejko is a highly respected farmer
in Mill Creek hundred and the people
Of that section are aroused to a higf
pitch over the affair.
Drejko located on the Taylor farm
only few years ago having by har'
= work and economy saved $4,000. Thii
: he invested in the farm which is salt
i to be one Of the best In that locality
For years Drejko lived in Wilmington
= and labored on the Pennsylvania rail
s road being one OF the most faithful
y track employees in the employ of tha
railroad. He has a brother, Stanle
e Drejko. living at No. 1911 Colema
e street. this city, who did not know 9
e the affair until notified today.
= Or. Ball reported this afternoon
ls that Dreiko is somewhat improved
l. II developed late this afternoon tha
the farm laborer is the more seri
ously injured. Or. Ball is undecide
as to the outcome OF the mans in
Is juries.