Schmitt, Mrs. Ora May 1941

SCHMITT, HAYWARD, STETZEL, BECHLEY, SCHULZ, BARBER, WARD

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 10/20/2016 at 20:24:36

Surrendered to a Local Posse Without Resistance

Turned Over To Sheriff and Now Resting in County Jail

Mrs. Ora Schmitt, of Washington township, was knocked unconscious and one finger broken by an outlaw Tuesday evening, as he pounded her over the head with a.32 caliber revolver, when she attempted to stop him from taking their car.

The bandit had just left a Des Moines taxicab driver lying in the ditch after he had held him up and shot a hole through the windshield of the car.

The outlaw was captured about an hour later when a posse of neighbors armed with shotguns and revolvers located him a half mile from the Schmitt home.

The story goes that the bandit, giving his name as Paul Hayward, 41, no address, called a taxi about 4 p.m. In Des Moines. M. D. Stetzel responded and received instructions to drive him to Newton.

The bandit paid $5 down on the trip with the understanding he would pay the rest of the fare when they arrived at Newton. Between Mitchellville and Colfax the bandit drew a gun on Stetzel and announced “This is a stickup, drive down this side road.” After driving a time on a by-road Stetzel was ordered to stop and get out. “Let's have your money” the man commanded, covering Stetzel from the opposite side of the car. Stetzel placed the $5 in currency and about$1.50 in change on the rear floor of the car. ~ May 1941.
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25 Years in Penitentiary Given Bandit Terrorist

Beat Mrs. Ora Schmitt; Robbed and Shot At Taxi Driver Last Tuesday

Twenty-five years in the state penitentiary was the sentence given Paul Hayward, 41, by Judge F. Bechley Friday morning for his two hours of terrorism southwest of Colfax in Washington township the Tuesday precious.

Hayward was taken into court Friday morning on a County Attorney's information charging him with robbery and aggravation. Judge Bechley asked him if he desired an attorney and Hayward replied that he did. Not having any money to hire one, the judge appointed Atty. Hugo Schulz to represent him.

Following a conference with the attorney the prisoner was returned to the court and entered a plea of guilty and sentence was immediately pronounced. Sheriff Ray Barber took the prisoner immediately to Fort Madison to start serving the 25-year sentence.

Hayward was arrested late Tuesday afternoon after an hour-long reign of terror southwest of Colfax during which, armed with a .32 caliber revolver he held up M. D. Stetzel, Des Moines taxi driver, shot a hole in the windshield of his cab, and beat up Mrs. Ora Schmitt, of Washington township.

The ex drag line operator, who (part of word cut off) the taxicab but unfamiliar with the steering post type gear shift, abandoned the taxi.

The bandit ran to the Ora Schmitt home, where Mrs. Schmitt was working in the garden. He demanded that Mrs. Schmitt drive him to Newton and she notified him she could not drive. He then started for the car to take it himself, but Mrs. Schmitt arrived ahead of him and attempted to remove the keys from the car. He pointed the gun at her and threatened to shoot her and as she begged him not to shoot her he started to beat her over the head with the revolver barrel. She screamed and staggered toward the house with her face cut and bleeding and her little finger broken.

The bandit was unable to start the Schmitt car and finally gave up and took out on foot. A short time later he was located by a posse of four neighbors and turned over to Sheriff Ray Barber, who had arrived on the scene.

The assault of Mrs. Schmitt was witnessed by her 12 year old son who ran to the field and notified Mr. Schmitt. In the meantime the taxi driver as well as Mr. Schmitt hurried to the Logan Ward home where the sheriff was notified, a doctor call and a general line call given.

Wednesday authorities learned the bandit was a drag line operator from Marcile, Minnesota. He was out of work and had come to Des Moines in search of a job. He claims to have worked at Newton in 1938.

Mrs. Schmitt was reported improving from shock and injuries at her home Wednesday. ~ The Jasper County Tribune, 8 May 1941 (May have been The Colfax Clipper)