THE LEAD BELT NEWS

THE LEAD BELT NEWS, FLAT RIVER, ST. FRANCOIS COUNTY, MISSOURI, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1927

FARMINGTON MAN SHOT TUESDAY NIGHT

Chas. Reinhard Hit Twice By Bullets Fired by Robber At Close Range

Charles Reinhard, who is employed as mechanic by the St. Francois Motor Company, Farmington, was shot twice early Tuesday evening at the company garage.  His assailant, who fired six shots at Reinhard, robbed his victim after he had fallen to the floor and then made his escape through a rear door.  Reinhard was shot behind the ear, the bullet being stopped by the lower part of the skull, and across his abdomen, this bullet barely breaking the skin.  X-ray examination of his injuries Wednesday morning failed to show serious wounds and he is able to be up and around.  There is a possibility of fracture where the bullet struck the bones of his head, but it failed to penetrate through the bone and into the brain.

Reinhard has made it a practice to return to the motor company building each evening to see that all doors and windows are closed and that everything about the place is in proper condition for the night.  Following this practice, Tuesday evening he reached the place between seven thirty and seven forty-five o?clock, entering through the front door.  He turned the lights on, but shortly after doing so they went out.  As it was threatening at the time and the lightning was creating more or less disturbance, he thought nothing of this.  Procuring a flashlight he entered the back end of the plant, where he intended to see that doors, windows, and other openings were securely closed and to disconnect several batteries which he had connected to the charger.  As he reached a point about half way back in the rear room, the intruder stepped from a hiding place and opened fire without warning.  Six shots were fired.  Reinhard was first hit by the shot, which grazed his abdomen, and then a bullet struck him in the head.  He then said to his assailant, ?Well, you got me,? and fell to the floor.  He did not lose consciousness, but felt that unless he made the burglar believe he was badly hit or killed that the shooting would continue.  The party came to where he was lying, deliberately rifled his pockets, turning him over several times during the operation, after which he placed Reinhard?s hat over his face and departed by way of the rear.  He secured about eight dollars, a watch, and other articles of little value to anyone except the owner.

As soon as the would be murderer departed, evidently thinking his victim dead, Reinhard got to his feet, left the building by the front door and went to the office of a Farmington physician, where his injuries were dressed.  The burglar evidently used an inferior weapon of some kind, else the bullet, which struck his victim behind the ear, would have proven fatal.

Reinhard was unable to give any definite description of the man who shot him, beyond stating that he appeared to be a large man.  The motive was evidently robbery, either the intruder knowing Reinhard?s custom of coming to the place every evening and thinking that he might get money from the safe, or intending to rob the rear end of automobile parts, etc.  The manner in which he made his way through the room in absolute darkness would indicate that he knew something of the premises.  Heavy rain, which fell shortly after the occurrence, obliterated all signs, which may have been left, and it is not known whether he made his escape on foot or through assistance of an accomplice waiting outside with a machine.  Officers have little or no information of a definite nature upon which to work.

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Had Car Stolen From In Front of Office

Paul Cayce, attorney, of Farmington, came down the steps from his office, which is on the west side of the public square, Farmington, about 7:30 o?clock Wednesday evening, barely in time to see his car disappear in the darkness.  The machine was a 1926 Chevrolet coupe, which had hitherto conducted itself in a manner above reproach and Mr. Cayce is certain that it was led astray by some thief, although he was unable to see who was at the wheel at the time.

Constable John Mostiller found the car about one mile south of Bonne Terre on Highway 61 about 7:15 a.m. Thursday and it was returned to Mr. Cayce.

Rhodes-Mason

Miss Serepta Rhodes and Mr. Carl Mason, both of Gofftown, surprised their friends Saturday evening at a late hour by announcing their marriage, which had taken place at Cantwell that evening.  They were accompanied by Mr. Warren and Miss Sanders of Gofftown.  Mrs. Mason is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jess Rhodes of Gofftown and was employed at the Woolworth Store in Flat River.  Mr. Mason is the son of Mr. and Mrs. D. Mason of Gofftown and has employment in St. Louis.

The bride and groom left Sunday for St. Louis where they will establish their home.  They have many friends who wish them all the happiness in the world.

Collector Coffield to Visit Various Points

For the convenience of taxpayers throughout the county, H. W. Coffield, County Collector, will visit various towns during the month of November, taking his records with him so that those who live in a near the cities visited may pay their taxes without having to make a trip to Farmington.

The full schedule for his trip is carried in this issue for the News in a large advertisement, and those interested should clip this ad and keep it for reference so they will be sure to get the dates placed in their minds and avoid confusion.

Mr. Coffield will collect all taxes offered him while at the various banks shown in the ad and will properly receipt all taxpayers who take advantage of this opportunity to avoid making a special trip to Farmington.

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Bonne Terre Constable Recovers Stolen Ford

Constable John Mostiller was hailed on Highway No. 61 about three miles north of Festus October 5^th about 2:30 a.m. by three young men who asked that he give their car a pull to help hem get it started.  Upon being questioned two of them said they were from Bonne Terre and gave the name of their employer as that of a person not known to Mr. Mostiller.  He immediately began to question them further and they soon admitted that they had stolen the car at 17^th and Wash Streets in St. Louis that night.  The car belonged to R. Stisel of St. Louis.  St. Louis Police was notified and arrived in Bonne Terre Wednesday and took charge of the youngsters.  They gave their name as Emmett Davidson, 17; Wilson Strader, 14; and Rodger Allen, 14.

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President Crane and Other Officials Here

President Clinton R. Crane, executive head of the St. Joseph Lead Company, Doe Run Lead Company, and the Mississippi River and Bonne Terre Railway, together with other important officers of the companies arrived in Bonne Terre the latter part of last week.

The gentlemen are making their regular inspection of local operations at this time, for which purpose Mr. Crane comes from his New York office twice yearly, as a rule.

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Loughborough Man Robbed Tuesday Night

William Blankenship, who is ?batching? on a farm in the Loughborough neighborhood, was robbed Tuesday night by two men whom he is unable to identify.

They forced their way into his house, held him up at the point of guns, and when they found he had only one dollar in cash on the place, struck him several blows about the head and upper part of the body with their guns.  It is presented that the robbers thought he would have a large amount of cash either on his person or about the home.

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Rev. A.C. Johnson New Pastor of M.E. Church

Rev. A. C. Johnson, who for the past four years has been presiding Elder of the Cape Girardeau District, will assume the pastorate of the local Methodist Church beginning next Sunday, October 16.  He and his family will move here soon.  The family consists of Rev. and Mrs. Johnson and two daughters, who will be students in the Flat River Junior College.  They also have one daughter who is a missionary in Japan and one daughter married.  Rev. Johnson comes to Flat River very highly recommended and with a record for much splendid work achieved, both in former pastorates and in presiding Elder work.

Rev. S. M. Robinson, who has been the pastor at the local Methodist Church, goes to Houston.  Two other ministers, who were former pastors here, Rev. M. H. Markley, was sent to Advance, and Rev. H. L. Taylor to the Third Church in Cape Girardeau.  The Farmington, Esther, Elvins, Bonne Terre and Desloge pastors were sent back to their former churches.  Rev. L. D. Nichols was sent back to Fornfelt.  This is Rev. Nichols sixth year at Fornfelt.  Rev. C. P. Throgmorton, who was formerly pastor of the Farmington M. E. Church was appointed presiding Elder of the Farmington District.  Rev. James Broadhead, who has been the presiding Elder of the district, was transferred to the southwest Texas conference.

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