Elderly Trio in Hatchet Row

NAYLOR, MCFATE, SIMPSON

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 3/23/2013 at 20:00:55

The Grinnell (IA) Herald-Register

ELDERLY TRIO IN HATCHET ROW

McFates are Hospitalized

Claude Naylor Held
For Assault Intent

Police here still aren't certain what the actual cause of a Friday afternoon "hatchet-wielding" incident was, though a feud of long standing is being checked.

Statements from Claude Naylor and Mr. and Mrs. Orville McFate have been taken following the incident in which Mr. and Mrs. McFate were hospitalized with head and scalp wounds inflicted by a hatchet wielded by Naylor.

ELDERLY NEIGHBORS

All in the 70-year age bracket, the three elderly Grinnellians were involved in an argument near the lot line separating their two residences north of Sixth avenue Friday afternoon. The McFates live at 1124 Ann street and Naylor at 1126 Ann.

Naylor was held in the county jail at Montezuma on $3,000 bond over the weekend on a charge of assault with intent to inflict great bodily harm.

PAINTER SEES ASSAULT

Alfred Simpson, painting a house nearby, watched the incident from a ladder and called to the parties when the hatchet swinging got underway, police report.

Both Mr. and Mrs. McFate suffered head injuries and were under observation and received treatment at St. Francis hospital. McFate, who was struck at least twice in the face, was later released, while Mrs. McFate, who was stuck when she came to her husband's assistance, remained in the hospital.

FLEE TO HOME

The police report that Naylor was trimming shrubs at his residence when they arrived. The elder McFate couple had fled to their house.

Police learned from neighbors that the two families had frequent arguments in recent years.