Mrs. Howard Bound, Gagged and Robbed

HOWARD, ROCKWOOD, FLYNN

Posted By: Marilyn Norris Holmes
Date: 5/6/2025 at 16:03:55

The Grinnell (IA) Herald
Nov. 3, 1922

MRS. HOWARD BOUND,
GAGGED AND ROBBED

Bound and gagged by two strange men this forenoon, Mrs. H.E. Howard, 703 Main street, lies in her home in a precarious condition.

Two men, disguised with large black glasses, entered the house, roughly put Mrs. Howard in an arm chair and threatened to "cut her to pieces" with a butcher knife if she should make a noise. The men sealed her lips and also her eyes with adhesive tape, and tied her securely in the chair with a clothesline rope which they found in the kitchen.

George E. Rockwood, a roomer, returned to the home at noon, and, noticing that the shades were pulled, thought that Mrs. Howard had left the house for the day. When he opened the door, he heard groans, and rushing into the dining room, found Mrs. Howard bound and gagged in the chair. He released her by cutting the rope which was tied so tightly that it nearly cut her wrists. She was in a very weakened condition and could tell nothing of the robbery.

The house was ransacked, although a room, rented by Tom Flynn, M. and St.L. conductor, remained intact. There was little money in the house, and it is thought that the robbers obtained about seventy-five cents. One of the men got out a razor, prepared some lather, and proceeded to shave, but evidently he feared intervention and did not complete the shave.

The drawers of the dressers were completely ransacked, but some trunks and closets in the house were not touched. A lucky nickel belonging to Mr. Rockwood was taken but his valuables were hidden and were not found by the robbers.

Mr. Rockwood feels that perhaps the men had intentions of robbing him as he had a large amount of money in his possession a few days ago but has just disposed of it. His dresser was investigated, but a trunk and a shelf loaded with articles were left untouched.

Mrs. Howard is now under the care of a physician and is too weak to talk of the affair. She was unable to give a complete description of the men, but when she recovers will probably be able to give the details to the police, who have, as yet, no clues with which to work.