The Hope pioneer., 1921-04-07

w
rowly escaped death at the hands OF
a would-be murderer Saturday night
when he was attacked and wounded
twice by former hired man by the
name of Jos. Nagel.
Last fall, while in the employ OF
Mr. Hendrickson Naegel became eli
amored with his employers daughter
Josie. She did not appreciate his at
tentions and on frequent occasions
showed her distaste for his company
During the winter months he was EN-
ployed cutting wood for party on
the Sheyenne River and still per-
sisted in trying to force his presence
on the young lady. A few weeks ago
he completed this job and went. to
Fargo and the family was pleased
that this unwelcome suitor has left
the vicinity, but when Easter arrived
he remembered the occasion with a
letter and an Easter gift. These
were returned to him promptly.
This doubtless angered the man
and he decided to get revenge.
On Saturday evening, Josie and
her brother, Bennie, went to the
church, less than a mile away, to at
tend an entertainment of some sort
and none of the family had any
knowledge that Naegel was in the
country. Just before going to bed.
Mr.. Hendrickson stepped outside and
there he met Naegel, who asked
where Josie was. Hendrickson re-
piled by telling him that it was none
of his business and ordered him off
the place. Naegel then pulled his
revolver and fired twice at Hendrick-
son, neither shot taking effect. Hen
Erickson then rushed into the house
and he and Mrs. Hendrickson at
tempted to conceal themselves in
closet. Naegel followed and when
he could not pull the door of the
closet open, fired three shots through
the door. One bullet struck Hen
erickson in the abdomen and another
in the arm. He then decided it was
a good deal better to die fighting
than penned up like rat, so he op-
ened the door and grabbed an old
shotgun and using it as club at
tempted to get his assailant. He
chased Naegel away from the house
and down the road but could not get
close enough to him to lay him out.
He then returned to the house and
told his wife to phone to Finley for
physician and the sheriff. AS Mrs.
Hendrickson was trying to get CEN
trail, Naegel returned, cut the tele.
phone wire, and fired two shots at
her through the kitchen window:
one of these struck a cream separa-
tor right beside her and would have
probably killed her had it been an
inch higher.
By this time Hepdrickson's BROTH
er, who had been in bed, had gotten
up and dressed and appeared on the
scene with his revolver. He fired
few shots out of the window toward
where Naegel was last seen and then
Naegel left the premises.
He went to the church where he
met Bennie at the door. He tried
to get Bennie to come outside but
did not succeed, SO he told him that
he had better get ready to go home
with his sister at once as their moth
er was sick and needed them. The
young folks feared some trap 20
stayed where they were but as sew
eral were leaving toi go to dance
at some other place they got them
to stop at the Hendrickson home.
where they discovered the situation.
They Immediately went to Finley
to get doctor and notify the Sher-
iff. Naegel waited at the church ap-
parently intending to intercept the
young folks when they started TO-.
home. About ten minutes before the
sheriff arrived, Bennie and Josie got
into their car and started. Naegei
stepped into the middle Of the road
to stop them but they paid no atten-
: ton to him and went by. When ths
officers arrived he had struck or
through the plowed field for d::..p
ravine nearby which afforded numer-
GUS hiding places and where it would
be impossible to find him at night.
All trace Of him has been lost since
: this time.
The sheriff then proceeded to send
out general alarm to the surround
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