Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Five thrown to pavement in runaway

This story was published byThe Ypsilanti Daily Press on Monday, June 28, 1909.

Five people were thrown int the street, and four injured in a runaway Saturday evening at 8 o’clock.

A horse attached to a runabout owned by Frank Shuda which was being driven by him and in which were his wife, Flossie and child, becoming scared at a passing automobile on Huron Street, pitched Mr. Shuda from the vehicle as it swerved, and a few moments later as it rounded the corner of Huron and Pearl Streets threw Mrs. Shuda and child out on the pavement

The horse continuing its mad flight, reached Washington Street, striking a team at that point, tipping the buggy over and throwing the horse to the ground. The result of this collision smashed the Shuda rig, and the horse freed of all obstacles excepting the pair of shafts, abruptly turned, dashing east on Pearl Street, turning south on Huron Street, and ran in to Congress (now Michigan Ave.) Street which was croded with farmer’s rigs. Here it overturned a buggy said to be owned by Frank Durham, an employee of the D. J. & C. and his two children were thrown on the brick pavement. The horse was stopped in its mad flight at this tiem and taken to Cook’s livery barn.

A physician was summoned to dress the injuries of Mrs. Shuda and the three children. By some miracle of fate, no one had been badly injured. Spectators, who saw Mrs. Shuda hurdled to the ground with her baby, declare that they expected to see the two instantly killed. Mrs. Shuda fainted from the shock. Great excitement was caused by the occurrence.

Saturday, June 27, 2009

Workman hurt in strange attack

This story was published by The Ypsilanti Daily Press on Thursday, June 27, 1929.

A mysterious attack in which one employee of Golde patent C. suffered a flash wound is being investigated by police today, with little indication of a plausible solution, Chief of Police Ralph Southard admitted.

A missile, obviously not a shot from any type of firearm, was hurled through the window, cutting Howard Simpson in the side while he was at work about 2:30 this morning.

While Foreman Jorgenson was taking Simpson to the company physician, another missile was hurled through the window, and two other men narrowly missed being struck, they reported when the foreman returned.

Construction of the building makes it difficult to see how the weapon, what ever its nature, could have been thrown in, the chief stated, and no shots were heard by anyone. However, there was nothing inside the building which could have caused the wound, the chief was told.

It was thought some disgruntled employee; recently dismissed, might have been responsible, although there has been no labor trouble at the plant, the foreman said.

Friday, June 26, 2009

Makes early call; shot at

This story was published by The Ypsilanti Daily Press on Saturday, June 26, 1909.

“John, just as sure as your born, there’s a burglar in this house. John, I say, john, wake up, john, HELP JOHN, Wake UP.”

The above with a staccato accompaniment upon the ribs awakened “John,” who is known on Second Avenue, as John Perry.

Cautiously looking out of the bedroom window, or as he told Justice Gunn this morning, “it pays to be cautious, when you’re monkeying with death,” he saw the figure of a man entering the rear bedroom.

He lighted a lamp and hastened to that room. The man had one leg and his head through the window when John appeared on the scene.

In anything but polite tones, John asked the intruder his business. He shoved the lamp toward the uninvited visitor’s face. Startled by the appearance of the occupant of the house, the intruder started back the way he came, but slipped and slid down two tin roofs, falling fifteen feet to the ground.

Perry pursued the burglar, and fired one shot at him as he disappeared down First Avenue. Upon his return to the house he found his wife in “a state of hysterics” and to reassure her, loaded a 16-gage double barreled shot gun to the muzzle and waited for daylight. He declares he knows who the intruder is, and a warrant was issued for the man this morning.

Perry said the reason for the man’s appearance at such an unconventional hour, was that he expected several hundred dollars life insurance within a few days.

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Superior Farmers, with loaded guns hunt pyromaniac

This story was carried by The Ypsilanti Daily Press on Monday, June 24, 1909.

Farmers living in Superior Township are patrolling the roads, armed with loaded shot guns, searching for a pyromaniac who started two configurations Wednesday evening, and who is said to be responsible for several mysterious fires which have occurred in the last sixty days.

Wednesday evening about 9:45, fire was discovered in the barn on the H. S. Platt farm. The blaze was quenched, and neighbors were returning to their homes, when one of the farmers noticed the reflection of a conflagration in the sky. This time the barn of Mr. Geraghty, who lives about a half mile east of the Platt farm had been fired, and the blaze had gained great headway before being discovered.

The barn burned to the ground.

A few feet from the Platt farm, an earthen gallon jug was found, which at one time had contained kerosene. The taint of oil could be detected on the wood.

The Ypsilanti police were notified and three roads were watched until an early hour this morning. Farmers today are searching that country in an effort to discover the culprit who committed the deed. It is the theory of the police that it is the work of a pyromaniac.

Mr. Platt offers a liberal reward for any information leading to the arrest and conviction of the party or parties that set his barn on fire.

Three held for robbery here of Masonic Temple

This story was carried by The Ypsilanti Daily Press on Monday, June 24, 1929.

Police early this morning arrested three Ypsilanti youths and obtained confessions that they had robbed the Masonic Temple (now Riverside Arts Center) of $21.37 and two cartons of cigarettes. The three are held in city jail, and will be arraigned this afternoon following arrival of county Prosecuting Attorney Carl Stuhrberg.

Patrolman Herman Oltersdort first took Paul and John Smith into custody when he found them loitering in Edison Park (now Riverside Park), east of the Temple, at 3 a. m. After questioning them, he ordered them to go home, and continued his round. In Gilbert Park( Michigan Ave. and Park Street) he found two cartons of cigarettes hidden and suspicioning the boys, he and Patrolman Coy Rankin started in pursuit, overtaking them before they had reached home.

Confronted with the cigarettes, and questioned further, they admitted having climbed the fire escape of the Temple to the roof, broken the skylight had a door, and gained access to the building in that way. They involved John Leutsau in the robbery.

Leutzan who lives at the cornet of Hamilton St. and Washtenaw Ave., was taken into custody, and admitted his part in the robbery.

The three insisted the two cartons of cigarettes and cash were all that was taken, and Masonic Temple officials have found no other loss today.

The three are to be arraigned at 2 o’clock this afternoon, on charges of breaking and entering.

Thursday, June 4, 2009

Son grasps gun, averts shooting

This story was published by The Ypsilanti Daily Press on Monday, June 4, 1934.

Gus Sandusky, 50-year old farmer living north of Popkins School, believed driven insane by financial worries, Sunday afternoon was prevented from shooting Mrs. Sandusky with a shot gun and is now lodged in county jail until mental treatment can be provided for him.

Sandusky had managed to eke out a living through the long winter and had, with high hopes, planted his spring crops. Then the drought came and he watched the scorching sun burn the newly started grain. He could not pay his rent and, and as a last straw, the owner of the farm, Dr. Alfred Lauppe, started action to have him vacate the premises. Distraught at the prospect of losing whatever might remain of the crops, Sandusky began fingering his shot gun at odd moments and his family, fearful that he contemplated taking his life, obtained possession of it and concealed it form him.

Sunday afternoon he found the weapon and came stalking out of the bedroom door pointing the gun in the direction of Mrs. Sandusky when his son looked up in time to strike his arm and deflect the aim. The charge passed over the boy’s shoulder within an inch of the flesh, officers were informed.

Sandusky was examined by Dr. E. C. Ganzhorn, county physician, and was ordered incarcerated until he can be placed in the proper institution where a cure may be effected.

A hearing was held Friday before Joseph C. Hooper, circuit court commissioner, Ann Arbor, in the proceedings to have the Sandusky family removed from the premises. Dr. Lauppe, through his representative, offered proof that he had been very lenient in the case and had provided the family with financial aid and shelter. A decision on the hearing was expected this afternoon.

Groceries Discovered beside Road, may be loot from robbery

This story was published by The Ypsilanti Daily Press on Monday, June 4, 1934.

Police are seeking ownership of a large quantity of groceries found beside a subdivision road between Washtenaw Ave. and Packard St. Sunday night. It is believed the merchandise which also included a victrola, was the loot from a grocery store robbery and had been piled at that place preparatory to loading it into a car. A check of grocery stores here failed to reveal a theft and no reports were received this morning indicating that the depredation had been in Ypsilanti.

There was a four pound box of tea, a large package of shredded cocoanut, a quantity of vinegar, boxes of marshmallows and cans of spinach, pineapple and tomatoes

Two killed wjen train hist auton at Whittaker Crossing

This story was published by The Ypsilanti Daily Press on Monday, June 3, 1929.

Simon Stefina, 36, Milan. Rt. 9, and little three year old Margaret Mary Simons, Wayne, were killed late Sunday afternoon when their automobile stalled on the Wabash tracks in front of a west bound freight train at the Whittaker crossing. John Simons, 26, Wayne, the child’s father, who was Mr. Stefina’s cousin, suffered serious injuries, and is in Beyer Hospital.

X-rays and to be taken today to determine how serious his condition is. Hospital authorities were hopeful he would live.

The tow men were driving north, to the little store near Lincoln School. According to A. K. Wanless, 206 S. Huron St., who witnessed the accident. Mr. Stefina apparently did not see the train until he was on the tracks. He then stalled his engine, and before any of the three cold get out of the car, the train struck them. The machine was dragged about 50 feet down the tracks and practically demolished. Mr. Stefina was dead and taken from the wreckage and the child only lived an hour. She suffered a fractured skull and internal injuries. Simons has a crushed shoulder and badly lacerated side; there is possibility of internal injuries.

Funeral services for Mr. Stefina were tentatively set for Wednesday morning at the Whittaker Catholic Church. The services for the little girl will be held in Wayne, but have not been arranged. Her father has not been told she is dead.

Mr. Stefina is survived by his mother, Mrs. Anna Stefina, two brothers, Joe and Henry and one sister, Mrs. Julia Dabies. He was not married.

Coroner Ganzhorn was called after the accident, but has not decided whether an inquest is necessary.