The Mena weekly star., 1921-12-08
SHOT AND ROBBED INBROAD DAYLIGHT
John Fain, Badly Wounded, in Care of Friends in Mena-Was Victim of Belief That He Carried Much
 Money, but Lost Only S3O.

Shot down and robbed in broad day light by daring highwayman John Fain, an old time Polk county resi- dent, was saved the loss of the earn ings of his lifetime because he had his money in a Mena bank, and not on his person. The bold attack took place Tuesday afternoon in the Highland community, north of Egger, and Fain, desperately wounded, $ in Mena un- der the watchful care of friends.
 The attack made upon Fain is the first exploit of the hijacker class in Polk county this winter. 1t is the be- lief of officers who are trying to To- cate Pains assailant, that the wanted man is one well acquainted with the habits of his victim, and lives not far from the scene of the near tragedy.
 For Years Was Own Banker. For several years Fain is known to have carried about with him his saw ings of a lifetime. The amount he possessed is variously estimated from $500 to $500. Fain, who is unmar- ried, and eccentric, is said to have be- come his own banker some eight or nine years ago when he became angry because his bank deposit was garni- sheed to collect fine and costs im- posed in the circuit court. Fain is said to have wanted to lay out the pen alty in jail, but the then sheriff, upon learning that the accused had money in the bank, enforced the collection of cash. Fain is said to have become so angry at the time he vowed he would never put another cent in bank, and withdrew his savings, carried the real money on his person. This fact was generally known turnout the eastern end of Polk county, where for years Fain has worked for different farm CTS.
 Money Safe in Bank Vaults.
 What was not generally known was the fact that a short time ago, bank CT, friendly to the old man, induced him to put his savings in a time de- posit, where the money would earn interest. This act saved Pains hard earned savings and undoubtedly dis appointed the bold hijacker who at tackled the old man on a lonely road Tuesday afternoon. Instead of get ting hundreds of dollars in cash, as rumors credited the old man with car rying,. the thief got about $50 in real cash and certificates of deposit for several hundreds of dollars, the exact amount not being available for pub hcation.
 according to the story related by the victim of the daylight holdup, he was en route to farm near the Mont gomery county line to get place to work. While on the way he was halt ed by command from an unknown man. who, masked and hidden in brush beside the road, commanded Fain to throw up his hands. The demand to put 'em up was enforced by long barreled revolver or short-barreled rife. When Fain refused to drop the satchel he was carrying and raise his hands, the bandit fired at his victim. Badly Wounded, Fought With Robber
 The bullet struck Fain in the cleft of the chin and broke the jaw bone, ranging downward and luckily miss ing the jugular vein and thorax. The wounded man was dazed when struck, but still had vim enough left to put up hard fight when the robber came out of concealment and sought to search Pains pockets. By force O. superior strength the hijacker com pleted the work of rifiing the old mans pockets and made way with the money and certificates of deposit. His parting injunction to his victim was to get up and get away fast.
 This Fain admits that he did. Upon being released he started in the di- rection of Waters, nearly four miles distant, running and walking all the way despite the wound in his face. At Waters, Dr. w. w. Philpot of Egger gave Fain first aid and took him on to Epger, where Wilburn Philpct loaded the wounded man in his faith ful Ford and brought him to Mena. Dr. B. H. Hawkins dressed the wound.
 Pains condition is considered seri- ous. He is unable to talk because of the bandaged jaw, and for the present is being fed thru a tube. He was talk en to the Johnston rooms on Mena street overnight, and from there will likely be taken to the home of J. L. Godfrey on Fourth street, he being an old time friend of this family. Un- less blood poisoning develops fain has a fair chance of recovery.
 Bloodhounds to Scene of Crime.
 Sheriff J. A. Thornton is in charge of the hunt that is now underway for Pains assailant. The old man insist ed on having blood hounds put on the trail, and two dogs were ordered from Fort Smith. The bloodhounds and their keeper arrived on No. 1 on Wednesday morning, and were at once taken to the scene of the crime near Egger.
 Fain is said to have been an orphan and so far as known has no relatives in this section. He is between 50 and 60 years old and has worked for years for different farmers. He has been frugal and saving and while his earn ings have not been great, he has been credited with saving most of his wages.
 Fine Box Stationery, Xmas Books,