The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1931-04-02
FARMER VICTIM OF
BRUTAL ROBBERY
Sven Swenson, Mother and
Sister, Slugged and Beaten
Tuesday March "a
TWO WOMEN IN GANG
Reward of 100000 Offered
for Capture of the Four
Ruthless Thugs
(Brooten Review


Sven Swenson, residing six miles
southeast of Brooten, his aged
mother, and his sister, who are liv-
ing on the farm with him, were the
victims on Thursday evening of
last week of what was perhaps the
most brutal and audacious robbery
that has ever taken place in this
section. Slugged, beaten and other
wise mistreated, they were eventu-
ally forced to give up $4,000 in
cash to a group of four bandits
two men and two women.
The robber gang drove up to the
farm yard in a car at about nine
o'clock Thursday evening on the
pretence that they had lost their
way. They asked to be directed to
Paynesville, and Mr.. Swenson COM
piled willingly enough. They pre-
tended, however to be badly con-
fused as to the points of the COM
with them to the road, which was
about 40 rods from the house, in
order that they might be more
sure of getting started in the right
direction. Glad to be of service,
Mr.. Swenson unsuspectingly went
with them. Upon reaching the high
way Swenson was struck over the
head with what was thought to be
a piece of hose filled with sand
and stones. Swenson, by this time
realizing the trap into which he
had been led, offered resistance,
but finding himself outnumbered,
decided to remain quiet after hav-
ing been hit on the head and face
several times. He was then Sc
curely bound, a handkerchief or
similar wad, soaked in chloroform,
was placed to his nose, and one
of the women. with gun in hand,
was left to guard him.
The other three then went back
to the house, where they immed-
lately began to threaten and abuse
the two farm women with the in
tent of intimidating them. Mrs.
Swenson, who is over 80 years old,
and quite decrepit with the weight
Of her years, had retired. The gang
pulled her out of bed, causing her
to fall to the floor, yanking off her
stocking, thinking perhaps that
she had money hidden in them.
Meantime her daughter had picked
up a stove poker to come to her
rescue, but her actions were
promptly checked when the thugs
confronted her with drawn reyol-
vers. The poker was taken away
from her and she was struck over
the head with it. Miss Swenson
was told of her brothers predica-
ment and was urged to tell where
the money was kept, lest dire re-
suits follow, but she pluckily re-
fused. A search of the house was
made, while one of the robbers
guarded the helpless victims. The
search was fruit1ess, and there fol
lowed more rough treatment. Miss
Swenson was threatened with death
and the thugs said they would kill
her brother as well, unless she
would turn over their cash. Miss
Swenson stubbornly refused, but
her mother finally gave in and adj
vised her to go to the dresser and
get the money. o..
The piece of furniture had al
ready been ransacked, but it seems
that there was small compart-
ment in one of the drawers which
had escaped the bandits attention.
1t was here that the funds were
kept. In this compartment were
two purses. One of them contained
about $40. Miss Swenson turned
this over to the intruders. The 9TH
er she dropped on the floor and
attem pied to kick it out of sight
beneath the dresser, but this ruse
failed in it's purpose.
Having thus secured about 5000
the bandits insisted upon more, and
continued their pressure. for some
little time. Coming to the con-
clusion that this was all they would
get, and having already remained
in the house couple of hours,
they finally decided to leave, but
before doing so tied the hands of
the elderly lady and likewise bound
the daughter to chair.
Mrs. Swenson had not been Sc
curely tied and after the gang left
the house she managed to release
herself, pick up a knife, and cut the
bonds of her daughter. Miss Sven
son then walked over to a neigh
boring farm; place, where a party
was in progress, and broke the
news. Meantime Mr.. Swenson had
managed to work loose and make
his way to the house. When the
neighbors arrived, however, the
cr0olxs had rraada eood fhair asca1aa