The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-05-14
MORT ALBAUGH HURT
Federal Court Clerk Injured. in Fight
With Robbers.

The police and sheriffs force are
today searching for a burglar who
early Sunday morning entered the
home of J. R koontz, general freight
agent for the Santa F'e railway, OBJ
tanned 81 before being frightened
away, and then entered the home of
Morton AIbaugh. clerk of the federal
court here, and murderously attacked
Mr.. Albaugh
Officers stated today thas The name
of the robber is Ray Spencer. That
is the name he used in various places
in Topeka
\ few minutes after leaving the
koOntz home the robber entered the
Albaugh home thru window on the
lower floor He first entered the room
of kathlyn Albaugh who was awak-
ened by his flashlight but kept silent
meaning TO call her father when he
left From there he went into Mrs.
Albaugh's room. She awoke with a
start when the flashlight was turne,I
upon her A revolver was pointed at
her.
Give me your diamonds or I'll
shoot" the burglar said.
The robber made a dozen or fifteen
threats to shoot before Mrs. AIbaugh
screamed. My engagement ring is
the only diamond I own and of course
il is dear to me and didn't intend to
give it up" said Mrs. Albaugh today.
He stood real close to me and Kept
threatening TO shoot until finally I
screamed Then Mr.. AIbaugh rushed
into the room and when they Crap
pied, I rushed from the room to call
the police"
While Mrs Albaugh telephoned for
the police, the burglar shot point
blank at the widely known political
leader. The bullet missed Albaugh' s
head by inches and struck a casing
Albaugh was then struck on the head
with the butt of the revolver as the
robber broke in the scuffle in the
room. The man escaped thru an open
window without having secured prop
erry OF any considerable value AL
baugh suffered a severe scalp wound
/ but was today able to visi- his office
( in the federal building
Hugh Lariner, sheriff expects t.
/ have the robber in custody soon.
/ He is thought to be the an1e man
that rented room at the home of AL
! bert kIene. a brother Of L. L Kiene
former sheriff, at 1920 Harrison street.
Sunday morning the kienes discover
| ed the roOmer had gone and in a
waste basket IN the room they found
a perspiration soaked shirt, a BLOODY
handkerchief. some flashlight batter
les, revolved cartridges and a St Jos
eph newspaper clipping.
The burglar, according to the sher
( IffS office, took a train for St los
! eph few hours after the robbery
Authorities at that place and sur
rounding cities have been notified tn
look out for him and Larimer ex-
poets to have him in custody shortly.
Visited Another Home.
The fact that the Sunday morniuz
activities of the robber who entered
the Albaugh and koontz homes were
more extensive than at first discovered
was disclosed today. He also entered
the home of Mrs. Hattie Horuing, I21i
Topeka avenue, Immediately after OIL
just before entering the Albaugh
home.
The Horuing residence robbery was
unlike the Koontz and Albaugh bur
giaries insofar as no one in the house
at the former place was awakened
The burglar gained entrance thru a
back door or a window-both were
unlocked-and looted the house. max
ing his getaway with between $40 ano
Sill. Those in the house said this
morning that the robbery must have
taken place right around > O'clock
Police and members of the sheriff.
force are today leading a search thr.
st Joseph and surrounding territory
Late this afternoon no word to the eff
feet that they were successful hao
beeF1 received