The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1922-02-16
HERMANN WAS
| SHOT DOWN AT
WORK in HOME
Friends Fail to Hear From Broth
ers-Eewspaper Gives Only
New Details.

Carl Pfckron, 1873 Thfrty-eighth
street, Is striving to learn the full
particulars of the murder OF Carl
Hermann, former Rock Islander,
who was killed on his farm near
Hunter, NO. the latter part OF jan
nary. Mr.. Pickron Is also attempt
ing to get word through Mr.. Her
mann's two brothers in Wisconsin.
Word of Carl Hermann's disap-
pearance came to the police Feb. S,
and Mr.. Pickron wrote to Albert
and Ferdinand Hermann, brothers.
who live near Glen Flora, Wis No
reply was received, and kilograms
and more letters followed, but still
no answer has come from them.
kilograms and letters sent to
Hunter, Mo-, brought a brief tele-
gram Saturday, which stated:
"Carl's remains found. Murderer
confessed Being held. Wire broth
ers."
The only answer to further in
quiries was the receipt yesterday
of a copy of the Southeast Missou-
rian, Hunter newspaper, which
was published Feb. 9, several days
before the finding Of Mr.. Her
mann's body. Information there
shows that Mr.. Hermann had been
murdered by a man who shot at
him through the window OF his
home. The newspaper article fol-
lows:
1.-The mysterious absence of Carl
Hermann, who until two weeks ago
resided on his farm a mile east of
Hunter, has aroused a strong be-
lief that murder has been commit
ted. Mr. Hermann came here about
three years ago and built a home,
where he lived a lonely but indus
frious life Since he was well lik-
ed by his friends and acquaintances
and apparently satisfied with his
environment, no one can assign a
cause for his sudden disappearance
Jan. 81. On that date he and H. L.
Lloyd, a merchant, were together,
east of town, looking at some hogs.
Mr.. Hermann departed for home
about dusk, saying he would be
back the next morning (Wednes-
day.. He did not come, and Sat-
urday morning when G. A. Gear
hart called at Hermann's home he
found Nick Campbell Gere. Camp
bell informed him that Hermann
had gone to St Louis leaving him
In charge.
Campbell told the same story
to all callers and Monday he de-
parted with Mr.. Hermann's team
and possessions. AS soon as this
was learned. suspicion was arous-
ed. because it was known that
Campbell, who had been in this and
the Ellsinore neighborhood during
the last two years, bore bad repu-
tation and was regarded by many
as a crook, hence would not be
trusted by Hermann, who had ex-
pressed his dislike for the man.
Second Man to Disappear.
Saturday and Sunday a thor
ough search was made of the prem
ises by a number of citizens and
considerable evidence was found,
among which was a freshly made
bullet hole through a window near
where Mr.. Hermann was wont to
sit and work before retiring.
"a warrant for Campbell was
sworn out Monday by Mr.. Lloyd
and the sheriff promptly took the
trail which was easily traceable
through Van Buren,, Fremont and
Alton. as along the route he had
sold some of the things carried
away. He was last heard OF near
Pocahontas, Ark, where Sheriff Oh
tver is at present trailing him.
About a year ago a man living
near Ellsinore disappeared under
very similar circumstances. Camp
bell was suspected at the time, but
the matter was dropped without
investigation"