The Dickinson press. (Dickinson, Stark County, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1883-1927, 1916-01-22

Found in Ditch Still Unconscious nv
Pedestrians Half An Hour
Mrs. Clarence Fisher, residing at
137 First Avenue East, was knocked
on the head by highwayman on Sun
day evening, robbed of her purse con-
tanning over SIG, and left unconscious
in a ditch on the corner of First
Street North and First Avenue East,
near the Prchal & Kusie blacksmith
shop. Roomers from the Croteau
rooming house happened to pass the
spot perhaps a half an hour later and
found Mrs. Fisher, still lying in the
ditch unconscious. She was hurried
to the Peeler meat market nearby and
DR.. 0. c. Maercklein called. Soon
after she regained consciousness and
was able to give a general description
Of her assailant.
Mrs. Fisher stated that she was
coming out Of the Peeler meat
market, where she had made a few
purchases, about 5:45 .. M, and was
met just outside the door by a tall,
slender, smooth shaven young man,
wearing a cap and a long plaid macki-
nav overcoat, who accosted her and
asked her where she was going. AS
she did not recognize the man, she
thinks she told him that it was none
OF his business, and passed on towards
her home. She heard him following
but paid no particular attention, un-
til near the corner when she was
suddenly struck terrific blow on the
back of the head, losing conscious
ness. She remembered nothing more
until she was revived by the physi-
clan. Then she found that her side
and arms were paining, in addition
to her head, and She is of the opinion
that she was grabbed by the arms,
thrown down and perhaps kicked into
the ditch, where she was found. Her
purse, empty, was found short dis
tance from where she was lying.
The police authorities began work
ing on the case Immediately and
shortly after placed under arrest,
Joe johnson, found in his room at
the Kihm hotel. johnson answered
to the description given by Mrs.
Fisher in every way, except that he
evidently had been wearing hat dur
ing the day, instead Of a cap. John
son was taken to jail and the follow
ing day brought into States Attor-
ney Burgeson's office for identifca-
tion. Mrs. Fisher looked the man
over carefully, and stated that she
was quite positive he was the man,
except for the fact that he was
wearing a hat. ...
On Wednesday the defendant was
brought before Justice A. P. Folsom,
States Attorney Burgeson appearing
for the state, and Attorney ]. W.
Sturgeon for the defendant. Several
witnesses were called who testified
that they had seen and been with the
defendant during Sunday afternoon.
Mrs. Fisher in turn testified that she
was quite positive he was her assail-
ant. AS all the witnesses could not
be located at the time, The case was
adjourned until the following morn
ing, Thursday. Additional testimony
was then given that the witnesses
had been in the company of Johnson
at a pool hall until or little after
6 O'clock. Ed. Fisher, proprietor of
that the defendant had eaten supper
at his place within few minutes
after 6 o'clock. AS a result quite a
complete aibi was produced, showing
that the accused man could hardly
have been at the scene of the crime
at the time the assault took place.
The case as a result was dismissed.
johnson is a young man who has
been working at odd jobs in Dickinson
and vicinity for about six years past.
In the fall season he usually goes out
in the country and operates thresh-
ing engine, being an engineer.
Exhonerated in Minneapolis
It has been alleged that Joe john
son, who was confined in the county
Jail in Dickinson the greater part
of the week on hold-up charge, was
mixed up in robbery in Minneapolis
about year ago. This johnson de-
clares is untrue and has presented
newspaper clippings to the Dickinson
Press proving his exhoneration in the
matter. It seems that johnson and
a man giving the name of Joseph
Smith had become acquainted in Min
neapois, and spent the greater por-
tion Of a day together. johnson was
. in the act Of buying a plate OF
beans for a man who was broke
when officers arrested him and his
partner on the charge of being ac-
cessories in the robbery of the store
Of Thomas Benson in Minneapolis.
Benson is a man well along In
years and so near-sighted that he
was obliged to put on glasses wher
brought by the police to identity
johnson and Smith, although he stooe