John Kooser (ca. 1895-1935)

KOOSER, KOONS

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 5/1/2021 at 14:12:21

From Nevada Evening Journal August 9, 1935 (page 1)

FORMER STORY MAN KILLED

JOHN KOOSER MET TRAGIC FATE IN AN ATTEMPTED HOLDUP

John Kooser, fatally wounded, when he and a number of accomplices attempted to rob William and Henry Witte, farmers of near Rochester, Minn., was a former Ames man and is known to many Story county people.

Kooser, who was known by local acquaintances to be engaged in liquor running and other illegal practices, had been working out of Minnesota for a number of years.

According to a press dispatch from St. Paul a warrant for the arrest of Tommy Gannon, close friend of the late Tommy Carroll, Dillinger outlaw, was issued late Monday at Rochester in connection with the raid on on the Witte farm.

"Issuance of the warrant followed discovery of the body of John Kooser, former bootlegger and racketeer who was believed fatally wounded when he and several accomplices vainly attempted to rob William and Henry Witte, aged farmers.

Authorities believe Gannon was one of Kooser's accomplices.

SUBMITTER'S NOTE: John Kooser was the son of Frank Elmer Kooser and Frances Eldora Koons aka Ella Frances Koons. According to his death record, John D. Kooser died 4 August 1935 in Grant, Washington, Minnesota. Cause of death is listed as: "Crushed chest, Fracture of left femur, Laceration, accident. Drove off road. Escaping from attempted robbery."