Newark post., 1911-11-01
Hockessin Farmer
Attacked

Peter Drejko, a Polish farmer, who has
possession OF the A. X. Taylor farm, near
Hockessin. in Mill Greek hu.dr-1, wAa
attacked and badly beaten by two negroes
Saturday evening about o'clock. just as
he was leaving the stable after feeding
the live stock. A farm hand employed by
aim whose name could not be learned,
was attacked by the two colored men
when he ran to Drejko's assistance. He,
too, was knocked unconscious.
Mrs. Drejko armed herself with an
axe and drove the two assailants away
She then dragged the apparently lifeess
form of her husband and that of the farm
hand into her home. Sac stood guard all
night with the axe ready at hand for in
stant use. She was afraid to venture
out to call physician to attend to the
wounds of the two men. She also feared
that the negroes would be hiding nearby
and would attack her. Sunday morn
ing she managed to get out and notified
reighbors of the affair. Dr. John Ball of
Hockessin was summoned and he dressed
the injuries Of Dreiko. Both men are
seriously hurt, but will recover. 1t is
not known yet whether or not their skulls
are fractured.
Monday night State Detective Frank
Mccoy, who was notified and who went to
work on the case at once, arrested Sam
Uel Jackson, aged 26 years, a giant negro
on suspicion that he is one of the tSo
assailants. Jackson is unable to give a
clear account of his whereabouts last
Saturday night.
Robbery is believed to have been the
motive for the assault. Drejko is said to
! have sold his wheat crop a few days ago,
ard IL is supposed the negroes thought
he had the money on his person or in his
Aome. The affair has created consider
able excitement in The vicinity, for Dcej-
10 l. a respected farmer in Mill Creek
hundred.
2r.+ho had BEEN in the barn about 5
o'"!ocA Saturday night feeding the live
stick. His little son, Albin, aged Il
~e@cs, "as wit& him. JUS as the father
aa.led from the door re was struck on
the head by club taken from a hedge
The club vas found on the premises on
Sunday morning Drajko saw two ne.
2roes confronting him, and after getting
10 his f>at the blow having Knocked him
down, hs started TO defend himself
The asseiIants proved too much fol
a.n!, however, and again he was knocked
d5"c This C.Ee the negroes kicked hin
.sao-. lie Aeai. :1ne and body until ID
"as unconscious. His son had run into
= house ami notified the farm hand
who rushed out to defend his employer
The man had hG rdIy left the door wher
he was knocked uncOns ciOus by a blow
upon the head, One Of the negroes hat
hurled q rock at him.
Mrs. Dgeiko by this time was attract,
ed to the scene. WNen she realized what
Fas happening she armed herself with ar
axe ANA rushed at the negroes. Her at.
tack was so fierce that the two assailants
fled. Mrs. Drejko then dragged her hus
band ard the farm hand into the house
ana tried 10 dress thei' wounds. She
lockei tle doors and windows and with
the axe close 2. hand she stood guard al
ntghc. Her little son and daughter. Pau
line, aged years, clung to h>r dress il
terror
Sunday morning the courageous woman
: managed to get out and inform neigh
bors of what had taken place. She rar
to call Dr.. Ball, who arrived at her home
} short time later. He revived the two
men and gave them medical attention.
Mrs. Drejko was able to give a goot
description OF the rwo negroes. Jackson's
arrest last night was the result of hari
York by Detective Mccoy. He says Jack.
son is known TO have been in the neigh,
borhood a few days ago. On Saturda.
night about II O'Clock he was seen com
ing towards this city on an electric
car. Jackson cannot give a satisfaotor.
account of mis- actions Saturday night
When taken into custody he stated tina
he was willing to stand trial for anything
he did that evening. This was said be
fore he knew who Detective Mccoy wal
or what he wanted him for. Jackson II
said TO be a farm hand and to worl
through the country. He is a big maj
and evil looking. Mud on his shoes ant
trousers is thought to indicate that h
had been walking over some countr,
roads recently.