Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-09-30
Charles Kruger Dies at St.
Anthony's Hospital
From Wound.
CT. RAIN Is CHARGED
Confessed Slayer Hangs His
Head When Jailer Tells
Him of Death.

Charles W Kruger, who lowered
near deaths door for a week, suffering
4 bullet wound in the head, died at St.
Anthony's hospital at 3: 20 o'clock this
morning.
Carl T. RAIN was held today with
out bail for murder. Chief Miller pre-
ferred the charge. The complaint was
read 10 Rain at the county Jail. He
waived examination.
When news reached the county fail
this morning that Kruger had died
Deputy Sheriff John sexton informed
Rain.
Kruger died a few minutes ago"
the taller said.
RAIN loked up from his cot at the
deputy sheriff and then dropped his
head quickly. He said nothing. He
had been told Of the critical condition
az Mr.. Kruger bfore and he was not
surprised when informed Of his death.
He had repeatedly questioned the
iailers concerning the condition OF the
man he confessed TO shooting. always
eager for the word that his chance
Of recovery was more bright. but al
WAYS disappointed when told there
was but remote hope Of his recovery.
Rain Had Grudge-
After Rain was brought into the
jsil I talked with him" Deputy Sex
ton said. Il asked him why he shot
Kruger. He told me he had trouble
with Kruger two years ago He said
a year later he went in Krueger's sa-
loon (the one across the street from
where the shooting occurred and
while in there he got into some trouble
with two men. He told me that
Kruger gave him the worst Of the
deal. He said
81 brooded over the treatment ever
since l could think of nothing else.
when at work in the foundry 1 would
find nv thought always turning to-
ward Kruger and the raw deal he
handed me. Friday I got a few drinks
in me. A mania to get Kruger
seemed to come over me. I went to his
saloon. ! told Kruger there was a
debt he and I had to settle-and settle
at once. I never mentioned $500 to
him. He mentioned it TO me.
Kruger asked If $500 would
square it,
I said il wouldn't. There was only
one way it could be settled. l told him.
Then ! let him have it and ran. / was
forry right away. But the thing had
bothered me so much I worried myself
into a mania to kill him.
Rain followed Krueger's condition
closely. He kept asking US continual
ly how the man was"
Of course the severity of the crime
committed by Rain depended on
whether Kruger lived or died and his
punishment and the extent Of II de-
pended on the life or death Of the
wounded man. Yet officials think that
he was concerned over the condition
OF the saloon man more for sentimen-
tai reasons than for worry over the
punishment which would be meted
out to him.
Rain had previously been held IN
bonds in the sum Of $4,000 on q charge
Of assault with intent TO commit muir
der. When Kruger died this charge
was dropped and warrant charging
murder was Immediately sworn out
by Chief Miller in police court. The
warrant was taken 10 the county jail
and read TO Rain. He waived hearing
and Police Magistrate Smith held him
10 the grand jury without bail.
Death Expected.
Krueger's death was expected. When
he was removed from the Three Oaks
saloon, 4O1 Fourth avenue, back Of the
bar which he was standing when Rain
came 10 and shot him, he was thought
TO have been in a dying condition. A
week ago today the same opinion was
held. lie regained consciousness for
spells. but would always relapse into
semi-conscious state.
The bullet entered his head over the
left eye. passed back Of the eye and
lodged al the back part Of the brain
Attending surgeons had made num-
erous efforts 10 locate the bullet but
TCa-Y41v, ~ he load mr.
tively known 10 the doctors until af-
ter his death.
Kruger at the time he was shot
owned two saloons at Fourth street
and Fourth avenue. The one on the
west side OF the street he had owned
Tor a number OF years. The Three
oaks bar" on the east side, the saloon
ne was in when he was shot. he had
taken possession OF only few days
before the shooting occurred. He pur-
Chased II from {. c. Kroeger. The
municipal commission, only last Mon
DAY transferred the license 70 him.
Mob is Dispersed.
Kruger was well liked in the west
end OF the city. He lived at sos Fourth
street When news spread in the west
end that be had been shot last Fri
lay night, a mob Of at least 100 cit
hens was organized and search was
started Immediately for Rain. The
AUNT was conducted I'm the railroad
Yards where he lay In hiding. Police
believed they prevented serious harm
% RAIN by arresting him before the
angry citizens found him PatrOlman
~unn apprehended him.
hahn confessed 10 police Immediate
N after he was taken into custody.
me action Of authorities today in
aoiding Rain for murder, Deputy Sex