The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-05-19
MEXICAN HELD 8
FOR MURDER OF
A PARK KEEPER
Andy Hartwig, Policeman at
Ripley, Shot to Death.
Several Shots Fired in Battle
Before He Fell.
WOMAN WAS ONLY WITNESS
On Way to Grocery Store
When She Heard Firing.
Bullet Enters Left Side-Stab
Wound in Chest.
Several Shots Fired in Battle
Before He Fell.
WOMAN WAS ONLY WITNESS
On Way to Grocery Store
When She Heard Firing.
BULLETIN.

Manuel Lopez. arrested and re-
leased today by Augustin Albas
former city detective who is work
ing on the case for the sherifrs
office. was undergoing a gruelIing
late this afternoon at the hands OF
the police. Officers are certain
Lopez knows who killed Hartwig.
Mrs. Randall. when PadilIo and
Lopez were taken before her, de-
cIared that neither of them is the
man she saw running away after
killing the park keeper. Alba de-
clares that the right man is not yet
under arrest.
Andy Hartwig, 81, policeman at
Ripley park, was shot and stabbed to
death about 10 o'clock this morning
in the east end of the park by a young
Mexican. believed to be Joaquin Pa
dillo. Hartwig died fighting, firing
a shot at his assassin as the latter
ran away.
Mexican Is Arrested.
Padillo was arrested at his home on
Seward avenue by the police following
the shooting. Two or three other
Mexicans, who, it is believed, may
know something of the affair, were
picked up with him. Padillo refused
to talk to anyone, and neither denied
nor affirmed the charges against him..
officers said. The other Mexicans
claimed they could not see the shoot
ing on account of trees and bushes
which obstructed the view.
According to information obtained
by Dr. H. L. Clark, county coroner.
and police officers who investigated
the case, several Mexican men and
boys were gathered along the creek
bank in the east end of the park
shooting. probably at birds. 1t is
presumed that Hartwig went over to
investigate, and that he probably
ordered the Mexicans to stop shooting.
/ Whether he attempted to arrest young
Padiilos is not known
Woman Was Witness.
Mrs. Randall. 203 Swygart avenue.
who was passing thru the park. was
the only white witness to the affair.
She said she heard two shots and that
the young Mexican nearly ran into her
in his haste as he rounded a bend in
the road leading along the creek
bank. Looking ahead, she saw Hart
wig sink to the ground. He died in
a few minutes.
Coroner Clark and the police were
called. Coroner Clark said the park
keeper had sustained a knife wound
on the right side of his chest below
the arm. and bullet wound in his
left side, Just below the heart Clark
said one Mexican told Mrs. Randall
that he had heard the young Mexican
who ran away calling Hartwig bad
names. There were two empty cart
ridges in the park policeman's revolt
yer. Mrs. Randall said she saw him
fire only one shot, altho she heard
two.
Arrested for Killing Fish.
1t is believed that Padillo held a
grudge against Hartwig and took this
opportunity to obtain vengeance. Two
weeks ago the park keeper arrested
the Mexican youth for killing gold fish
in the park. At that time the youth
drew revolver on the policeman. He
was tried on an assault charge but let
off with SO fine.
Hartwig is survived by his widow.
They lived in a house in the park.
/ near Third and Lawrence streets.
dertaking parlors
No funeral arrangements have been
made.
Hartwig had been employed in the
park department for about sig years.
He had been keeper at Ripley park
trouble with the Mexicans in that dis
trict, Hartwig was placed in that park
as he dealt with the foreigners more
successfully than any one who had
ever attempted the work. He had
brought order at Ripley park follow
ing situation which was serious at
times. He was unpopular with the
Mexicans because of his severe attf-
tude toward them. Prior to becoming
keeper at Ripley park. Hartwig had
been in charge of the Children's park.
At one time he was employed in the
sanitary department at the city hall.