South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-12-31
TWO KILLED, ONE
SHOT IN HOLDUP
Henry MueSSeI and Frank
ChrobOt Are Shot Down
by Bandits.

W 6OllNiNS'
CONTINUED FROM PAGE ONE)
ment from william Muessel at the
Epworth hospital Wednesday morn
ing. His story corrobOrated that OF
Robert in practically every detail
except that he explained how the
shooting began. According 10 Will
liam. the smaller Of the two bandits
was covering the four captives with
guns while the larger man was bind
ing Robert William believes that
Chrobot struck at the man holding
the pistols and then the melee Sc
gan which ended in the shooting of
the three men.
Black Mask Found.
When the police arrived at the
scene Of the double murder they
found a black mask, one chat COW
cred the entire head. part Of an
overcoat. a black soft hat and a wig
in the office. In the woods between
Michigan av. and the brewery.
across which the bandits fed. was
found the remainder of the over
coat.
The police are working upon the
theory that the bandit who wore
the wig was either colored or
wore il either because it was
customary or because he knew
he might be recognized. Detectives
have been sent TO every barber shop
in the city in am attempt TO Identify
the wig. All identification marks
had been cut from the black hat,
while all similar markings had been
taken from the OvercOat.
one Of the robbers either stumbled
or fell just as he turned into the
grove in making his escape and
dropped a "A caliber Colt revolver.
This was found and although Chief
Kuespert made an effort 10 find fin
ger prints upon the gun they were
unable TO be distinguished. The re-
vOIver was one of the largest sizes
made for use and according to the
police a man carrying two such
weapons could not run or walk very
far.
bloodhound Fails.
Hope OF tracing the robbers with
the bloodhound brought here early
Friday morning, were dismissed when
the animal followed two trails. one
ending at the home Of John Opie-
czewski. 1902 Werwinski St, an EN-
ploye OF the Singer Mfg. Co. and
the other at the Root drug store on
Michigan av. Opieczewsd worked
last night until after 9 o'clock and
he is not suspected of the deed. Al
though he was not at home when
the hound reached the house it was
stated that ne probably visited the
scene Of the double murder in the
evening. When the hound finally
ended up at the drug store. after
having started the second time he
was taken off the trail
Sheriff Bailey has a 19-year-Old
youth at the county Jail. who was
arrested Thursday night by Deputy
Niezgodsh and Joe Wartha. on the
west side. who has refused to talk,
eat or drink Wednesday. The youth
was picked up as a suspect in con
nectiOn with the murder, at Division
and Chaplin SITS, as he answered the
description OF one OF the slayers
very closely. When found he was
without an overcoat and although
he said ne owned one, could not
tell where it was at that time. AL
though he has been questioned to-
day he has refused 10 talk and
would eat neither his breakfast nor
dinner.
According to Roberts story Of
the things he heard after he was
tied. Chrobot, who apparently CON
sidered the affair more or less of a
joke. said he could not sit still in
his position any longer, because he
had rheumatism. 1t is probable that
this one expression was the cause of
the shooting
ChrObOt Gives Battle.
Chrobot was struck by one Of the
bandits. He was "A powerful man
and gave battle In the shuttle that
followed the bandit was unmasked
and a. hrOwnish black actors wig
and a black SLOUGH hat fell from his
head. The brown raincoat worn by
ChrObot's assailant was torn in the
fight and IL was one of the few
things that gave the detective force
a start. The rest Of the coat was
found in woods several blocks
west Of the brewery.
The bandit then fired point blank
at Chrobot, the bullet striking him
in the chin. Another bullet is said
70 have been fired at him. but il
was not necessary, for he was killed
instantly.
With guns !eveled at Henry and
william. the former was ordered
back into the main office 10 open
the safe lie opened one side and
told them 90 go ahead and take
everything Not satisfied with this.
the robbers ordered him 20 open the
other side. Henry had no KEY 10