Ben Schowe Killed By Auto Bandits
Benjamin Schowe, owner of the Berger garage, was shot and fatally injured last Saturday morning by one of three auto bandits who had summoned him to repair a car on the road about two miles west of Berger. The auto had stalled because of overheated engine and other minor troubles. Dan LaBoube, a farmer living in the neighborhood, passed them with his wagon and was requested to tow the car in order to start the engine, but had no rope with which to hitch it to the wagon. Mr. LaBoube informed them of the distance to Schowe's Garage, and they accompanied him to his home, where they ate breakfast and called the garage for repairs.
Mr. Schowe, accompanied by Leo Parle of St. Louis, who was visiting him, drove out in the later's car with the repairs. On reaching Mr. LaBoube's, the three men entered the car and all went out to the stalled auto. After the repair work was completed, one of the men inquired of Mr. Schowe the amount of their bill. He then went to the two others asking each for $10.00 in order to make up the amount, at the same time having a short conversation in an undertone with them. When he returned he stepped up to Schowe as though he was going to pay him, but instead drew a revolver and commanded him to put his hands up. At the same time, the other men covered Parle with their guns in the same manner. They ordered them to enter Parle's car, two of the bandits riding in the back seat keeping their guns on them all of the time. After riding about a quarter of a mile toward Berger, they ordered Parle to turn around. Here the road was narrow and rough and Parle protested. He was told to turn around and be quick about it. In turning, he backed the car in to the ditch and was unable to get out, because of gasoline being low in the engine. The bandits then ordered Schowe and Parle to get out of the car and marched them back up the road, some four hundred yards past the repaired car. Here a hay shed stood by the roadside, and one of the bandits remarked, "That is a good place" and ordered them to go that way. Schowe became frightened and offered to give them the tire, inner tube, and his repair bill free. One of the bandits replied that they knew they were going to get them for nothing, and they were not the first ones they had "topped off." Schowe, no doubt, fearing what would happen when the shed was reached made a dash for liberty, and was shot by one of the men. The bullet struck him just above the thigh passing through his abdomen. He continued to run for some distance, the bandit firing several more shots at him before he fell. They then ordered Parle to run, firing several shots at him. Parle ran to the home of William Dilthey, and from there he phoned to Berger, telling of the shooting.
Immediately the news of the crime was phoned to Hermann and other points, and a posse organized to run the bandits down. A car was rushed to the scene of the shooting and Schowe was taken to Berger, where he died that afternoon.
After the shooting, the men entered their car and drove to Hermann. In Hermann they became confused as to the proper road to take and deserted the car, and took to the woods heading towards Berger. In a short time a posse from Hermann was closely pursuing them and were soon joined by the posse from Berger. After alluding the posse in the hills and bluffs for about 10 hours, the men were finally located concealed in a corn shock. They were surrounded and ordered to come out with hands up. Failing to do so, a shot was fired into the top of the shock, at which the men came out and surrendered. A search of the men failed to disclose any guns. The corn shock was torn down and buried in the ground under it was found three revolvers and a large quantity of ammunition.
Heavily guarded the three bandits were taken to Hermann and placed in jail. In the afternoon they were taken to Berger by Sheriff Dietzel of Gasconade County. Schowe had died just shortly before their arrival, and several hundred people had gathered on the streets. Fearing mob violence, the sheriff took two of the prisoners and alluding the citizens he rushed them back to the Hermann jail. The other bandit was roughly handled by the crowd, and after some time the officers finally persuaded the crown to quiet down and find out the guilty party before inflicting punishment. The officers then took the man out of Berger and kept him there until Sheriff Gorg and his deputies arrived. A complete confession of the crime was obtained from all three of the men.
Coronor Dewhurst, assisted by Prosecuting Attorney Otto, held an inquest before a jury composed of Leo Stock, George Zeilmann, Jr., August Kropp, Oscar Meyer, P. A. Smith and Theo. Menke and a verdict of homicide was rendered after which Sheriff Gorg took the prisoners to the county jail at Union.
The bandits gave their names as John Carrol, Marion Point, PA, Ralph Davidson, Silver City, NM, and Joseph Colyer, Chicago, IL. They claim they had met a few days before the crime in St. Louis and were making their way west. The car in which they were riding was stolen by them on the Manchester Road near the county line from a salesman of the Buxton & Skinner Stationery Company of St. Louis. Carrol, the oldest of the men, seemed to be the leader, and is the one that fired the shot that killed Schowe.
Mr. Schowe had reached the age of 23 years, 5 months, and 13 days. He was born at Berger on June 17, 1897, and had spent his entire life there. On February 5, 1918, he was united in marriage to Miss Flora Scheidegger of Hermann, Mo who with one child survives him. He was a genial, companionable young man and was building up a very lucrative trade in his garage at Berger, which he purchased about two months ago. His tragic and untimely death has cast a gloom over the entire Berger community. Besides his wife and child, he is survived by his father, two brothers, George Schowe of St Louis and Edw. Schowe of Berger, four sisters, Mrs. Adrian Hallaway of St. Louis, Mrs. John H. Meyer, Mrs. Louis Witthaus, and Mrs. Arthur Rohlfing of Berger.
The funeral services were conducted on Tuesday at the St. Johns Evangelical Church and interment was in the Church Cemetery. The bereaved family have the sincere sympathy of the entire community.
New Haven Leader, New Haven, MO, Thursday, November 25, 1920
Benjamin Schowe, owner of the Berger garage, was shot and fatally injured last Saturday morning by one of three auto bandits who had summoned him to repair a car on the road about two miles west of Berger. The auto had stalled because of overheated engine and other minor troubles. Dan LaBoube, a farmer living in the neighborhood, passed them with his wagon and was requested to tow the car in order to start the engine, but had no rope with which to hitch it to the wagon. Mr. LaBoube informed them of the distance to Schowe's Garage, and they accompanied him to his home, where they ate breakfast and called the garage for repairs.
Mr. Schowe, accompanied by Leo Parle of St. Louis, who was visiting him, drove out in the later's car with the repairs. On reaching Mr. LaBoube's, the three men entered the car and all went out to the stalled auto. After the repair work was completed, one of the men inquired of Mr. Schowe the amount of their bill. He then went to the two others asking each for $10.00 in order to make up the amount, at the same time having a short conversation in an undertone with them. When he returned he stepped up to Schowe as though he was going to pay him, but instead drew a revolver and commanded him to put his hands up. At the same time, the other men covered Parle with their guns in the same manner. They ordered them to enter Parle's car, two of the bandits riding in the back seat keeping their guns on them all of the time. After riding about a quarter of a mile toward Berger, they ordered Parle to turn around. Here the road was narrow and rough and Parle protested. He was told to turn around and be quick about it. In turning, he backed the car in to the ditch and was unable to get out, because of gasoline being low in the engine. The bandits then ordered Schowe and Parle to get out of the car and marched them back up the road, some four hundred yards past the repaired car. Here a hay shed stood by the roadside, and one of the bandits remarked, "That is a good place" and ordered them to go that way. Schowe became frightened and offered to give them the tire, inner tube, and his repair bill free. One of the bandits replied that they knew they were going to get them for nothing, and they were not the first ones they had "topped off." Schowe, no doubt, fearing what would happen when the shed was reached made a dash for liberty, and was shot by one of the men. The bullet struck him just above the thigh passing through his abdomen. He continued to run for some distance, the bandit firing several more shots at him before he fell. They then ordered Parle to run, firing several shots at him. Parle ran to the home of William Dilthey, and from there he phoned to Berger, telling of the shooting.
Immediately the news of the crime was phoned to Hermann and other points, and a posse organized to run the bandits down. A car was rushed to the scene of the shooting and Schowe was taken to Berger, where he died that afternoon.
After the shooting, the men entered their car and drove to Hermann. In Hermann they became confused as to the proper road to take and deserted the car, and took to the woods heading towards Berger. In a short time a posse from Hermann was closely pursuing them and were soon joined by the posse from Berger. After alluding the posse in the hills and bluffs for about 10 hours, the men were finally located concealed in a corn shock. They were surrounded and ordered to come out with hands up. Failing to do so, a shot was fired into the top of the shock, at which the men came out and surrendered. A search of the men failed to disclose any guns. The corn shock was torn down and buried in the ground under it was found three revolvers and a large quantity of ammunition.
Heavily guarded the three bandits were taken to Hermann and placed in jail. In the afternoon they were taken to Berger by Sheriff Dietzel of Gasconade County. Schowe had died just shortly before their arrival, and several hundred people had gathered on the streets. Fearing mob violence, the sheriff took two of the prisoners and alluding the citizens he rushed them back to the Hermann jail. The other bandit was roughly handled by the crowd, and after some time the officers finally persuaded the crown to quiet down and find out the guilty party before inflicting punishment. The officers then took the man out of Berger and kept him there until Sheriff Gorg and his deputies arrived. A complete confession of the crime was obtained from all three of the men.
Coronor Dewhurst, assisted by Prosecuting Attorney Otto, held an inquest before a jury composed of Leo Stock, George Zeilmann, Jr., August Kropp, Oscar Meyer, P. A. Smith and Theo. Menke and a verdict of homicide was rendered after which Sheriff Gorg took the prisoners to the county jail at Union.
The bandits gave their names as John Carrol, Marion Point, PA, Ralph Davidson, Silver City, NM, and Joseph Colyer, Chicago, IL. They claim they had met a few days before the crime in St. Louis and were making their way west. The car in which they were riding was stolen by them on the Manchester Road near the county line from a salesman of the Buxton & Skinner Stationery Company of St. Louis. Carrol, the oldest of the men, seemed to be the leader, and is the one that fired the shot that killed Schowe.
Mr. Schowe had reached the age of 23 years, 5 months, and 13 days. He was born at Berger on June 17, 1897, and had spent his entire life there. On February 5, 1918, he was united in marriage to Miss Flora Scheidegger of Hermann, Mo who with one child survives him. He was a genial, companionable young man and was building up a very lucrative trade in his garage at Berger, which he purchased about two months ago. His tragic and untimely death has cast a gloom over the entire Berger community. Besides his wife and child, he is survived by his father, two brothers, George Schowe of St Louis and Edw. Schowe of Berger, four sisters, Mrs. Adrian Hallaway of St. Louis, Mrs. John H. Meyer, Mrs. Louis Witthaus, and Mrs. Arthur Rohlfing of Berger.
The funeral services were conducted on Tuesday at the St. Johns Evangelical Church and interment was in the Church Cemetery. The bereaved family have the sincere sympathy of the entire community.
New Haven Leader, New Haven, MO, Thursday, November 25, 1920
Ben Schowe Killed By Auto Bandits
Benjamin Schowe, owner of the Berger garage, was shot and fatally injured last Saturday morning by one of three auto bandits who had summoned him to repair a car on the road about two miles west of Berger. The auto had stalled because of overheated engine and other minor troubles. Dan LaBoube, a farmer living in the neighborhood, passed them with his wagon and was requested to tow the car in order to start the engine, but had no rope with which to hitch it to the wagon. Mr. LaBoube informed them of the distance to Schowe's Garage, and they accompanied him to his home, where they ate breakfast and called the garage for repairs.
Mr. Schowe, accompanied by Leo Parle of St. Louis, who was visiting him, drove out in the later's car with the repairs. On reaching Mr. LaBoube's, the three men entered the car and all went out to the stalled auto. After the repair work was completed, one of the men inquired of Mr. Schowe the amount of their bill. He then went to the two others asking each for $10.00 in order to make up the amount, at the same time having a short conversation in an undertone with them. When he returned he stepped up to Schowe as though he was going to pay him, but instead drew a revolver and commanded him to put his hands up. At the same time, the other men covered Parle with their guns in the same manner. They ordered them to enter Parle's car, two of the bandits riding in the back seat keeping their guns on them all of the time. After riding about a quarter of a mile toward Berger, they ordered Parle to turn around. Here the road was narrow and rough and Parle protested. He was told to turn around and be quick about it. In turning, he backed the car in to the ditch and was unable to get out, because of gasoline being low in the engine. The bandits then ordered Schowe and Parle to get out of the car and marched them back up the road, some four hundred yards past the repaired car. Here a hay shed stood by the roadside, and one of the bandits remarked, "That is a good place" and ordered them to go that way. Schowe became frightened and offered to give them the tire, inner tube, and his repair bill free. One of the bandits replied that they knew they were going to get them for nothing, and they were not the first ones they had "topped off." Schowe, no doubt, fearing what would happen when the shed was reached made a dash for liberty, and was shot by one of the men. The bullet struck him just above the thigh passing through his abdomen. He continued to run for some distance, the bandit firing several more shots at him before he fell. They then ordered Parle to run, firing several shots at him. Parle ran to the home of William Dilthey, and from there he phoned to Berger, telling of the shooting.
Immediately the news of the crime was phoned to Hermann and other points, and a posse organized to run the bandits down. A car was rushed to the scene of the shooting and Schowe was taken to Berger, where he died that afternoon.
After the shooting, the men entered their car and drove to Hermann. In Hermann they became confused as to the proper road to take and deserted the car, and took to the woods heading towards Berger. In a short time a posse from Hermann was closely pursuing them and were soon joined by the posse from Berger. After alluding the posse in the hills and bluffs for about 10 hours, the men were finally located concealed in a corn shock. They were surrounded and ordered to come out with hands up. Failing to do so, a shot was fired into the top of the shock, at which the men came out and surrendered. A search of the men failed to disclose any guns. The corn shock was torn down and buried in the ground under it was found three revolvers and a large quantity of ammunition.
Heavily guarded the three bandits were taken to Hermann and placed in jail. In the afternoon they were taken to Berger by Sheriff Dietzel of Gasconade County. Schowe had died just shortly before their arrival, and several hundred people had gathered on the streets. Fearing mob violence, the sheriff took two of the prisoners and alluding the citizens he rushed them back to the Hermann jail. The other bandit was roughly handled by the crowd, and after some time the officers finally persuaded the crown to quiet down and find out the guilty party before inflicting punishment. The officers then took the man out of Berger and kept him there until Sheriff Gorg and his deputies arrived. A complete confession of the crime was obtained from all three of the men.
Coronor Dewhurst, assisted by Prosecuting Attorney Otto, held an inquest before a jury composed of Leo Stock, George Zeilmann, Jr., August Kropp, Oscar Meyer, P. A. Smith and Theo. Menke and a verdict of homicide was rendered after which Sheriff Gorg took the prisoners to the county jail at Union.
The bandits gave their names as John Carrol, Marion Point, PA, Ralph Davidson, Silver City, NM, and Joseph Colyer, Chicago, IL. They claim they had met a few days before the crime in St. Louis and were making their way west. The car in which they were riding was stolen by them on the Manchester Road near the county line from a salesman of the Buxton & Skinner Stationery Company of St. Louis. Carrol, the oldest of the men, seemed to be the leader, and is the one that fired the shot that killed Schowe.
Mr. Schowe had reached the age of 23 years, 5 months, and 13 days. He was born at Berger on June 17, 1897, and had spent his entire life there. On February 5, 1918, he was united in marriage to Miss Flora Scheidegger of Hermann, Mo who with one child survives him. He was a genial, companionable young man and was building up a very lucrative trade in his garage at Berger, which he purchased about two months ago. His tragic and untimely death has cast a gloom over the entire Berger community. Besides his wife and child, he is survived by his father, two brothers, George Schowe of St Louis and Edw. Schowe of Berger, four sisters, Mrs. Adrian Hallaway of St. Louis, Mrs. John H. Meyer, Mrs. Louis Witthaus, and Mrs. Arthur Rohlfing of Berger.
The funeral services were conducted on Tuesday at the St. Johns Evangelical Church and interment was in the Church Cemetery. The bereaved family have the sincere sympathy of the entire community.
New Haven Leader, New Haven, MO, Thursday, November 25, 1920
Benjamin Schowe, owner of the Berger garage, was shot and fatally injured last Saturday morning by one of three auto bandits who had summoned him to repair a car on the road about two miles west of Berger. The auto had stalled because of overheated engine and other minor troubles. Dan LaBoube, a farmer living in the neighborhood, passed them with his wagon and was requested to tow the car in order to start the engine, but had no rope with which to hitch it to the wagon. Mr. LaBoube informed them of the distance to Schowe's Garage, and they accompanied him to his home, where they ate breakfast and called the garage for repairs.
Mr. Schowe, accompanied by Leo Parle of St. Louis, who was visiting him, drove out in the later's car with the repairs. On reaching Mr. LaBoube's, the three men entered the car and all went out to the stalled auto. After the repair work was completed, one of the men inquired of Mr. Schowe the amount of their bill. He then went to the two others asking each for $10.00 in order to make up the amount, at the same time having a short conversation in an undertone with them. When he returned he stepped up to Schowe as though he was going to pay him, but instead drew a revolver and commanded him to put his hands up. At the same time, the other men covered Parle with their guns in the same manner. They ordered them to enter Parle's car, two of the bandits riding in the back seat keeping their guns on them all of the time. After riding about a quarter of a mile toward Berger, they ordered Parle to turn around. Here the road was narrow and rough and Parle protested. He was told to turn around and be quick about it. In turning, he backed the car in to the ditch and was unable to get out, because of gasoline being low in the engine. The bandits then ordered Schowe and Parle to get out of the car and marched them back up the road, some four hundred yards past the repaired car. Here a hay shed stood by the roadside, and one of the bandits remarked, "That is a good place" and ordered them to go that way. Schowe became frightened and offered to give them the tire, inner tube, and his repair bill free. One of the bandits replied that they knew they were going to get them for nothing, and they were not the first ones they had "topped off." Schowe, no doubt, fearing what would happen when the shed was reached made a dash for liberty, and was shot by one of the men. The bullet struck him just above the thigh passing through his abdomen. He continued to run for some distance, the bandit firing several more shots at him before he fell. They then ordered Parle to run, firing several shots at him. Parle ran to the home of William Dilthey, and from there he phoned to Berger, telling of the shooting.
Immediately the news of the crime was phoned to Hermann and other points, and a posse organized to run the bandits down. A car was rushed to the scene of the shooting and Schowe was taken to Berger, where he died that afternoon.
After the shooting, the men entered their car and drove to Hermann. In Hermann they became confused as to the proper road to take and deserted the car, and took to the woods heading towards Berger. In a short time a posse from Hermann was closely pursuing them and were soon joined by the posse from Berger. After alluding the posse in the hills and bluffs for about 10 hours, the men were finally located concealed in a corn shock. They were surrounded and ordered to come out with hands up. Failing to do so, a shot was fired into the top of the shock, at which the men came out and surrendered. A search of the men failed to disclose any guns. The corn shock was torn down and buried in the ground under it was found three revolvers and a large quantity of ammunition.
Heavily guarded the three bandits were taken to Hermann and placed in jail. In the afternoon they were taken to Berger by Sheriff Dietzel of Gasconade County. Schowe had died just shortly before their arrival, and several hundred people had gathered on the streets. Fearing mob violence, the sheriff took two of the prisoners and alluding the citizens he rushed them back to the Hermann jail. The other bandit was roughly handled by the crowd, and after some time the officers finally persuaded the crown to quiet down and find out the guilty party before inflicting punishment. The officers then took the man out of Berger and kept him there until Sheriff Gorg and his deputies arrived. A complete confession of the crime was obtained from all three of the men.
Coronor Dewhurst, assisted by Prosecuting Attorney Otto, held an inquest before a jury composed of Leo Stock, George Zeilmann, Jr., August Kropp, Oscar Meyer, P. A. Smith and Theo. Menke and a verdict of homicide was rendered after which Sheriff Gorg took the prisoners to the county jail at Union.
The bandits gave their names as John Carrol, Marion Point, PA, Ralph Davidson, Silver City, NM, and Joseph Colyer, Chicago, IL. They claim they had met a few days before the crime in St. Louis and were making their way west. The car in which they were riding was stolen by them on the Manchester Road near the county line from a salesman of the Buxton & Skinner Stationery Company of St. Louis. Carrol, the oldest of the men, seemed to be the leader, and is the one that fired the shot that killed Schowe.
Mr. Schowe had reached the age of 23 years, 5 months, and 13 days. He was born at Berger on June 17, 1897, and had spent his entire life there. On February 5, 1918, he was united in marriage to Miss Flora Scheidegger of Hermann, Mo who with one child survives him. He was a genial, companionable young man and was building up a very lucrative trade in his garage at Berger, which he purchased about two months ago. His tragic and untimely death has cast a gloom over the entire Berger community. Besides his wife and child, he is survived by his father, two brothers, George Schowe of St Louis and Edw. Schowe of Berger, four sisters, Mrs. Adrian Hallaway of St. Louis, Mrs. John H. Meyer, Mrs. Louis Witthaus, and Mrs. Arthur Rohlfing of Berger.
The funeral services were conducted on Tuesday at the St. Johns Evangelical Church and interment was in the Church Cemetery. The bereaved family have the sincere sympathy of the entire community.
New Haven Leader, New Haven, MO, Thursday, November 25, 1920
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