The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1926-12-15
HUTCHINSON IS
SCENE OF FIRE
AND ROBBERY
MANAGER OF CREAMERY is
KNOCKED UNCONSCIOUS TWO
THIEVES TAKE MONEY AND
SET FIRE TO BUILDING.

+. L. johnson, manager of the Far
mers creamery of Hutchinson, was the
victim of some unusually violent foul
play Monday evening, while getting
his books in readiness for the regu-
lar creamery meeting. 1t had been
his habit to work on the books several
different nights of late and the habit
was undoubtedly known to his assail-
ants.
Working on his books as usual
Monday night, somebody knocked on
the office door at a little before 9
o'clock and he opened the door think
ing nothing of it. Imagine his sur
prise to find gun poked into his
body, the instant the door was opened,
and a man stepping into the room,
who Immediately turned off the desk
light, demanding at the same time
hat Johnson turn over the money.
Johnson grappled with the man,
)ut being entirely surprised by the
unexpected appearance of burglar,
1e was unable to cope successfully
with his assailant, who slugged him
several times with his fist and with
some other object, probably the gun.
It was at this point that the second
thug, who had been stationed as
lookout, entered.
The two yeggs then ransacked the
safe, taking about $40 in money that
was in the safe, and also Johnson's
wallet, containing about $40. john
son then asked them what they were
going to do with him and they said
they were going to knock him out and
fix" the creamery. At this point
Johnson's memory failed him so it
IS probable that they proceeded to do
Just that.
At about 9:3O o'clock the Joseph
Telecky family, who live next door
20 the creamery, were told by two
men, Contractor John Kratochvil and
MS foreman who were returning from
he city, who came to the door, that
he creamery was on fire. An alarm
vas Immediately turned in and the
. ire department came at once.
The fire was confined only to the
)ffice but considerable difficulty was
experienced in putting it out. The
)ffice was practically destroyed with
Ill of its contents, including most of
he books of the company. Every
hing was taken from the safe by the
,urglars and scattered about the
DOM.
While preparations were being
made to fight the fire, the crowd of
,nlookers was considerably startled
behold Johnson coming from the
,ack door of the creamery, very much
iisheveled and in an apparently daz-
ID condition. His face was mass OF
)ruises and he had two deep gashes
his head.
He was Immediately rushed to the
hospital, where he is now resting cas-
ly after his narrowing experience.
rhe two or more blows, which he re-
. eived, were evidently inflicted with
ONE heavy instrument and it is
iuite probable that they were deliv-
red with murderous intent.
Johnson's account of the events OF
he evening is naturally somewhat
nuddled, but he is clear as to what
appened before he was slugged. He
- as a faint recollection of pulling
imself out of the coal bin and his
ace was covered with dirt and Gin
ers. 1t is probable that his attack
rs first slugged him and then carried
i'm into the coal bin at the rear and
hen set fire to the building.
The only clue found thus far is a
Il lot
after setting fire to the building. The
walls and floor of the office were
;oaked with the liquid so it is evident
hat they intended to make a thorough
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