The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1921-07-14
OAK GROVE MAN
KILLS EX-C0NVICT


rett orchardist. whom he shot shortl
before noon Wednesday of last week
was instantly killed at sunset tha
night by Hermann Pregge, Oak Grov
orchardlst, and citizen member of
posse that surrounded Pagan.
Unable to rush the ex.convict, appaI
emily obsessed with the sole desire O
seeking vengeance on the family o
Miss Louise Watkins, an older daughte
of Mrs. Miller, who was complainin
witness in the case here two years ag
that resulted in his conviction on
charge of attempted criminal assault
and his sentence to the penitentiary
the posse Of officers and citizens re
sorted to a ruse. Fagan had repeated
declined to permit the rescue of tn
women and had often reiterated his in
tention of killing them before the Incl
dent was closed. When he departe,
from the Miller home in the famil,
automobile he had compelled ll-yea
old Arthur Anderson, recently brough
here from the Portland Boys AM
Girls Aid Society, to accompany tn
party. Fagan was offered $50 to re
lease the boy to the posse. He agreed
to this and as he was approachin,
Marshal Hart, who advanced with th'
money, Mr.. Pregge, stationed shor
distance away, fired the fatal shot.
1t was desperate schance for am
| but a man with a steady hand ant
possessed Of a good craftsmanship
The man left the automobile, from
which he mad previously refused tt
bulge, pushing Miss Miller ahead o.
him and with his pistol closely pressed
to her head, daring the possemen anC
officers TO make a move. He haC
cursed the girl as he thrust her along
scornfully telling the posse that hei
death would certainly follow any hos.
tile move on their part. He cursed
the city marshal as he approached the
money.
Two shots rang out. The top of Fa-
gan's head was blown away, his brains
scattering in the dust of the roadside.
The fatal wound. in the brain, had
paralyzed the man, and the fears of
the crowd that he would kill Miss Mil
Ter, even though mortally wounded
himself, were ended. Even then for a
moment it was thought that the girl
was injured, for as Pagan fell, he con-
vulsively drew her partly down with
him. and she emitted a shrill scream.
The tirer of the other shot has not
been determined, but it is considered
that Mr.. Pregge. we'll known hunter
whose aim with the rifle is considered
one of the best in the state, fired the
shot that resulted in death.
Mrs. Miller. her daughter and the
little boy were returned at once to
their home, and the determined posse
dispersed. The car had been surround
ed for about two hours, and several
women had joined the throng. Men
from the entire countryside had joined
the pursuit, and firearms of various
descriptions from army rifles to ante
dated revolvers were carried by citi-
zen members. The temper of the posse
had reached the point where, had Fa-
gan injured one of the women, he
would, it is believed have been liter
ally torn to shreds. DIR. Kanaga, fam
lily physician of the Miller family, had
joined the posse and was present with
first aid requisites should anyone have
been shot.
The final incident of the afternoons
episode, the most stirring that has
ever occurred in Hood River. took
place on rather isolated road a short
from the Oak Grove store and
but few miles from the Miller home.
Pagan, who was recently released
from the Oregon penitentiary, came
here over a month ago. He visited
Mr.. Miller Wednesday morning as the
latter plowed corn on his ranch. He
demanded the whereabouts of Miss
Watkins. On his first visit he desisted
and left after Mr.. Miller told him that |
le would inquire by letter of the wom-
IN If she wished an interview with |
lin. He returned shortly before noon, |
md when Mr.. Miller declined the in
ormation he sought drew his pistol. |
lr. Miller says he felt no fear, think
ng the man was bluffing and would
lot shoot. He declares that he dropped
is reins and started toward the ex-
onvict when the latter, formerly hold
ng the gun, its muzzle pointed aloft,
ropped it level with his body and
ulled the trigger. Mr.. Miler's action
I turning sideways to drop the reins
J all that saved him from serious or
ossibly fatal wound. AS it was the
ullet was DETECTED by a rib of the
ght breast and glanced off into his
rm. The wounds were only superb
al. Even then, Mr.. Miller says, he
slt no fear and would have grappled
lie man had his right arm not been
'ndered useless. Realizing that he
as in the power of man who might
2 demented, he allowed Pagan to
'rce him to accompany him to his
)me. The wounds of the injured man
ere bleeding terribly and Pagan
1ally permitted Mrs. Miller to call a
lysician. An effort was made to
.ach DR.. Kanaga, and when he was
It available DR.. M. Thrane was
He'd.
DR.. Thrane realized on arriving that
e stories Pagan himself told and
reed the family to give the semblance
substantiatiOn were untrue. He
as informed that the pistol wound
ID been accidental, his revolver hav-
g been discharged while Pagan was
gaming it the bullet striking MIR.
iller. His questions finally aroused
igan who threatened the physician.
e eventually permitted the doctor to
ave for town with Mr.. Miller, but
nounced that he would kill all the
mllY II the sheriff were Informed.
DIR. Thrane informed Sheriff Johnson
on reaching the Cottage
spital, where the wounds Of Mr..
iller were dressed. S. G. Oxborrow,
near neighbor of the Miller family,
IS dispatched to drive by the Miller
me in his automobile. He discov-
ed that the entire family had depart
in the Miller car. The alarmswas
once sounded and the chase began.
e countryside and neighboring points
re notified. Trace Of the car. well
own throughout the valley as its
Ike was unusual and as it bore dis
gushing marks, was soon obtained.
rcing Mrs. Miller to drive, while he
,uDied the back seat, with his pistol
sssed against the girl, Pagan at first
AIDED south. He had Mrs. Miller
,ss fuckers bridge. and then fear
{ that the gasoline supply would be-